Damon Evans on UGA football: ‘I do have some concerns’
Damon Evans in a lighter moment at the Cobb Galleria. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Georgia athletics director Damon Evans said today via e-mail that he does “have some concerns” about the state of his football program. Responding to an e-mail asking for his feelings regarding the Bulldogs’ season — they’re 3-3 for the first time since 1996 — Evans offered this:
“I do have some concerns about where we are at this point of the season. I know Coach [Mark] Richt, the assistant coaches, the players and our fans have the same concerns with our current record and the way we’ve been playing.
“Coach Richt and I have talked just as we do periodically throughout the season. I think his focus right now is on the immediate future, which is the Vanderbilt game and doing everything possible to prepare our team. That’s where it needs to be.
“Beyond that, I have total confidence that Coach Richt will properly evaluate our team, address concerns and prepare the right path that will direct us back into the position we all want to be in — competing for championships.”
As statements go, Evans’ would seem both pointed and nuanced. He didn’t pretend to happy with current events, but he didn’t issue a directive for immediate “significant improvement.” (Vince Dooley, Evans’ predecessor, did that with Ray Goff back in 1995, which turned out to be Goff’s last season as coach.)
If you’re Mark Richt, Evans just said what you want to hear: That his boss has “total confidence” in him. But if you’re a Georgia fan, Evans just said what you want to hear as well: That certain “concerns” might need to be addressed and, put simply, that the University of Georgia expects more from its football team.
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593 comments Add your comment
GuyFalks
October 12th, 2009
10:30 pm
Why can’t UGA hire Tommy Tubberville for DC? While I am not an attorney, I have not read nor heard where Coach Tubberville’s non-compete clause with Auburn would preclude him from serving in a coordinator capacity. He has an excellent track record as a defensive coach and his very-public record speaks for itself! He and CMR are reportedly good friends, Coach Tubberville is a bit older and presents a mature, authoritarian figure (unlike some other shall we say, “shallow” or unimpressive personalities among assistants). The University of Georgia has athletic ability second to N O N E in the SEC (FL, AL, etc…you read it, N O N E). Performances such as Saturday to inferior programs should be unacceptable in the Classic City. As coach, the job is to win (at UGA, apparently with some modicum of class or sportsmanship), but dammit, the job is to @#$%^ WIN!!! We shall see shan’t we?
Someone pointed out to my above-statement: “the same is applicable to Florida.” No disagreement here; however UF is years if not decades ahead of UT. UT fell to a Mississippi-esque level. Lest some cretin prematurely object, UT tradition be damned. It felates: tradition does not produce wins–ask Nick Saban. UT has not produced any “tradition” in modern history without a heaping help of Georgia blood (why does L. Kiffin place such importance on UT/GA and recruiting therein?). No denying Vollies. Without Georgia talent, you are Kentucky. Again, ask Saban. He would not give a whit of a fecal sample for Alabama tradition. If that doesn’t sit well in Ye Olde Trailer Parke on the outskirts of Dumptruck City, Ala-god-friggin’-lint-pickin’-bama, so be it. Don’t believe me? Then some jackass, please A S K him: I DARE you.
jason
October 12th, 2009
10:30 pm
Vol Navy, nice trybut UGA puts their fare share into the NFL. Apparently that’s where they get their coaching.
BUBBA THE REDNECK GETR DUN JONES
October 12th, 2009
10:30 pm
LIKE OGRE SAYS. NERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRDS
jason
October 12th, 2009
10:31 pm
cantondawg, I seriously don’t think UGA was overlooking TENN. Even while TENN has been down they have been more than a thorn in UGA’s side.
nate
October 12th, 2009
10:32 pm
This blog is mere entertainment. Sure Richt knows what the problems are. Sometimes coaches need to be reminded what the problems might be. My hope is that Richt will make some changes on defense; otherwise, they will continue to be beat by less talented teams.
Be careful about making generalizations about one’s intelligence based blog posts. That’s an obtuse argument at best.
Go Dawgs–Wish the football team the best.
Algonquin J. Calhoun
October 12th, 2009
10:33 pm
Richt won’t be firing anyone until after the season. He’s going to need a scape goat to point to after the numerous defeats that lie ahead. He, however, is on much thinner ice than you think Mark. When this season is in the history books, the bloom will be off the lilly and people will start to see Richt as the devious, moron he really is!
Vol Navy
October 12th, 2009
10:34 pm
Who is going to the NFL from the 2009 USA roster?
Lawdawg1975
October 12th, 2009
10:34 pm
Poor work is just that and its culmination extending well back into last season was on display Saturday in Knoxville. At UGA athletics there are always too many apologists hanging around. I had hoped Coach Richt would bring a better work ethic into Georgia football and he did for awhile. It’s long gone. Perks plus salary seem to settle down the hunger for excellence that so many Dawg fans yearn to feel in their program. Where I fall out with Coach Richt is this “man in the arena” garbage he muttered up in Knoxville after the game. You don’t have to play football to spot shoddy work and for a great university with so much exposure to its program this is unacceptable. I don’t like giving to an institution that is going to tolerate such poor coaching performance. I think the AD will have to be more forceful with the inevtable losses coming to Florida, Auburn and Georgia Tech. I mean this is where the program has come in only the second season after a #2 national ranking. It is not lack of talented players but their mangement, drilling and game planning. Indiscipline is a coaching issue whether on kickoff coverage assignments or penalties or pass coverage. And coach, might we get a running game back into the mix or did it leave wirh Knowshon?
jason
October 12th, 2009
10:35 pm
Vol Navy, You may have a point there. I am sure we might have gotten Crompton drafted in the seventh round.
Matt Sterbation
October 12th, 2009
10:35 pm
Cantondawg…. U R stupid. You say it takes “A” game like last week. How about Last week, How about GA Tech Last year?, How about FL Last Year? How about Alabama last year? How about every frigging time the Defense gives up 40 plus. I will proudly wear a bag over my head at the FL game. I will wear a Bag over my head until WM is gone the hell out of the state of GA.
TXDawg (The Real TXDawg)
October 12th, 2009
10:36 pm
Super Dog and GR82BAG8R, you guys are responding to an impersonator….don’t waste your fonts.
Vol Navy
October 12th, 2009
10:36 pm
Dont worry about Crompton, UGA just made him look like Peyton!
Matt Sterbation
October 12th, 2009
10:36 pm
And Cantondawg you mess with me and I will hunt you down and put a bag over your head and make you wear it to a game as well.
jason
October 12th, 2009
10:38 pm
Matt Sterbation, you said what I was thinking, all but the bag over the head thing. I amproud to be a DAWG, but I amembarrassed at how poorly we are prepared for games. In wins and losses.
jason
October 12th, 2009
10:38 pm
Vol Navy, Well not peyton but I think we are in agreement.
Gen Neyland
October 12th, 2009
10:39 pm
Keep Wille and Bobo..! Fire the Special Teams coach.
TERRY
October 12th, 2009
10:40 pm
JUST REMEMBER GUYS ITS JUST A GAME! BUT THEN AGAIN I DID ENJOY THE MONEY THAT I WONE FROM SATURDAYS GAME. ANY TAKERS THAT TENN. WILL UPSET ALABAMA IN TWO WEEKS????? THEY ARENT AS GOOD AS PEOPLE THINK. AND I HAVE A STRONG FEELING THAT UGA WILL GET IT TOGETHER AND UPSET THE GATORS. THAT WILL BE A GOOD SENARIO FOR MY VOLS TO TAKE FIRST PLACE IN THE SEC EAST. HEY ITS HAPPENED BEFORE!@
dumbfounded
October 12th, 2009
10:40 pm
The biggest problem as you see with all the post is Georgia has so many fans! Large numbers upset and something has to be done. I do believe it is just kind of one of those years. However, next year doesn’t looks so good either starting a new QB. No many parts changing etc…
the point of being a finess in a physical is right on as well. Go DAWGS!
nate
October 12th, 2009
10:43 pm
Gen Neyland,
Sure you guys would love if we kept Willie, same as the rest of the SEC.
Praying for change
October 12th, 2009
10:44 pm
I really like and respect Coach Richt. I don’t want to see him take the brunt of this. We’ve been “OUTCOACHED” in every game. Willie just can’t coach and BoBo obviously don’t know what he’s doing. It’s not the fact that we’ve lost … it’s how we’ve lost. It’s what’s missing from the Georgia team. This team has “no heart, no passion, no junkyard take no prisoner” mentality. CMR has relied on his friends and fellow coaches and they’ve let him and the bulldog nation down.
It’s not whether you win or lose … it’s how you play the game. I think this is what most Georgia fans are upset about … how we’ve played the game (not played the game might be a better choice). I’m not a fair-weather fan or jump off the bandwagon fan … I just want to see Georgia football played the way it should be played.
RedMan
October 12th, 2009
10:48 pm
These kids that are being recruited can read these blogs. They know there is controversy about the OC and DC. I think they’ll know they are being lied to when the recruiter says “You’re going to play for (Martinez/Bobo) next year. Penn State and Auburn and (whoever) will look better and better to them.
Better to announce the changes before the end of the season.
AngryStarFish
October 12th, 2009
10:49 pm
Bobo, Fabris, and Martinez have gotta go. Anything less and Richt has got to head for the exit. UGA has not adapted and has operated in a complete vacuum to new ideas and fresh perspectives. Any hiring / promoting from within would be considered a failure to me also. The 90’s FSU offense is last decades game and the bend and often break defense I dont think ever worked.
Mark, I have an interesting, thought provoking, timely article for you. THE DOWNFALL OF 90’s FSU OFFENSE. You can write about the recent failures of Bowden and all his boys that have gone to other schools and have either already failed or are failing.
Ted Striker
October 12th, 2009
10:50 pm
Yo, Mike. Give me your address and I’ll send you a refund.
aarh
October 12th, 2009
10:53 pm
What about Rodney Gardner for D-Coordinator. It may be a little bit of a risk, but he’s a great recruiter, & the defensive line has always been a strength…until the last couple of yrs..w/ many players gong on to be stars in the NFL. I know he’s been loyal to Richt, but it just seems like eventually he’ll leave…if he doesn’t get promoted at some point. What about this for another option…Sylvester Croom?
Not Disappointed!
October 12th, 2009
10:56 pm
Some of you fans are unrealistic. It’s a bad year, but the season isn’t over. It’s half way over. There’s alot of football left. I know Martinez has to go, but the pups has a shot at 4 of the next 6 games. Maybe 5? You never know.
from a Tech fan. Good luck in the future.
Ps. I do know how you fans feel. I’ve been there. Trust me.
Denver Dog
October 12th, 2009
10:58 pm
Go Dogs guys, this too will pass.
jason
October 12th, 2009
11:01 pm
Go Dogs guys, this too will pass.
Yes as soon as some new coaches get here.
Ole Yeller Dawg
October 12th, 2009
11:09 pm
I know from first hand experience, that Coach Richt is loosing the recruiting battle. I have a son that is 2 years out of a 7AAAAA high school that lost only 5 games during his 4 years on the team. This team was loaded with talent, 2 kids had NFL pedigrees! It was exciting and fun to see all the head coaches from all the major universities, Pete Carroll, Nick Saban, Meyer, Tubberville almost every practice had some college coaches attend. Guess what? No Mark Richt he sent Bobo instead! In those 4 years only 1 player signed with Georgia, Nick Saban took 3, Pete Carroll took 1, Ralph Freigen took 1 the A+ difference makers that are capable of changing a game are going out of state! Georgia recruits and signs mostly B+ players simply because coach Richt wants to recruit from his office in Athens! I don’t know exactly what Nick Saban is doing, but he’s kicking every body’s butt when it comes to recruiting, they have A+ players sitting on the bench waiting on a chance to play!
Joe Cox if your serious about coaching you need to transfer to Alabama today!!
Metal Jacket
October 12th, 2009
11:11 pm
UGA coaches are finally exposed. For years UGA had self motivated players like Green,Pollack and Stafford. The other players need to be motivated and given boundaries. Fans want Richt to change his character and personality, he can’t do that, he is who he is. He’s a good man but maybe not a head coach. The next few weeks will define his legacy. I hope he does good.
Hit the Road willie
October 12th, 2009
11:16 pm
If Damon Evans doesn’t tell richt to fire a bunch of these coaches, then Michael Adams needs to get rid of Evans, ASAP! UGa’s athletic program is a joke—bad in football and basketball. No one cares about these girlie sports like gymnastics or tennis.
Ed
October 12th, 2009
11:16 pm
430th!
Ed
October 12th, 2009
11:18 pm
D’oh!
AngryStarFish
October 12th, 2009
11:24 pm
Ole Yeller Dawg I agree. In the last 8 years UGA has lost Calvin Johnson, TBob Hebert, Eric Berry, Heywards kid, Omar Hunter, Dwyer, Allen Bailey, just to name a small few who were within an hour and a half from Athens. I dont care where Hebert, Heywards, and Berry’s dads went, Saban would find a way to get them if he were that close.
Damon Evans on UGA football: ‘I do have some concerns’ | Mark Bradley « SouthernSportsView
October 12th, 2009
11:33 pm
[...] Damon Evans on UGA football: ‘I do have some concerns’ | Mark Bradley 2009 October 13 tags: damon evans, georgia football, mark richt, tallahassee, tubby smith by That_DanRyan Damon Evans on UGA football: ‘I do have some concerns’ | Mark Bradley. [...]
CJ Bulldog in Decatur
October 12th, 2009
11:45 pm
I believe Mark RIcht is a solid coach who needs to be given a chance to correct the issues. I think Mark is a BIG TIME coach who brought us from t he dark days of Coach Donnan’s term. Yes, I certainly believe he needs to make the hard decisions at the end of the season and tell Willie to do better or move on. Mark needs to exert a bit more emotion so EVERYONE knows where he stands.
C’mon coach take us where we deserve to be.
andrew
October 12th, 2009
11:46 pm
Mark , Nobody seems to know that Kirby Smart was already a running backs coach for Mark Richt in 2005. The question is why did he leave in the first place?
Nashville Dawg
October 12th, 2009
11:46 pm
A little concern?!?!?!
He should have a BIG CONCERN…. Keep losing and no one will donate to the school and Evan and Richt will be joining the majority of the unemployment line. Fans will not show up to fill the those nice seats to watch loser.
Wow
October 12th, 2009
11:49 pm
aarh…Rodney is a mjor part of the problem…recruiting. We have missed on quite a few players ..and so di rivals etc because everyone we chase recruited them also….We are losing these games at the line….yea QB is bad and no RB yet….but the line on both sides are awful….
With regards to all of the radio and crap I read here…..It is time for a change and I think at the top…Richt appears tired and I think he would rather be in the ministry (nothing wrong there)
Go get the guy from Cincinatti or So Fla and let them bring the more wide open style offense to take advantage of the little fast guys we seem to be recruiting….We are not recruiting big enough D players at the moment….AS for the DC….bring back Kirby Smart (wouldn’t come though)or Croom.or Tubberville Hell bring them in as a consultant NOW….Lord knows we need it
CJ Bulldog in Decatur
October 12th, 2009
11:50 pm
I am not happy at all either, but I do seem to remember we just lost Massaqua, Stafford an Moreno. It is very hard to replace one NFL starter, but 3. Give him a chance. But let it be know we expect more than we are getting.
J-MAN
October 12th, 2009
11:52 pm
Which coach has stayed more loyal to underachievers M. Richt: Bobo, Martinez Cox. OR Bobby Cox: Greg Norton, Kelly Johnson, Terry Pendleton? Which one is too loyal?
Allen Waters
October 13th, 2009
12:05 am
Coach Richt is a major reason we became a complete team during the first 6 years. Remember the skid with Stafford that included 4 losses? Then the complete game against #5 Auburn! We will get better but should be able to run for a 1st down against anybody. I knew we were having issues during the OSU game by not continuing a drive when 4th and 1yd. Get creative, so the offense can at least maintain their part. Turnovers and penalties? We would have been a top 5 team if the NFL would leave college alone. It would have been fun to see Stafford and Moreno behind what is a more experienced line. Please give one of the Freshmen some experience so we will be better prepared next year. I am from Savannah but in Kolkata, India as a corporate jet Captain. 6 members of my family will be coming to the Kentucky game, including my neice for her first in Sanford Stadium Imagine the night games starting at 430 am on Sunday in India! #82 asked for support and we will be there. All you players from GA…thanks for staying in state. all from FL and others…Thanks for coming to UGA!!!! Focus on the positives of at least not losing the SC and UA games! I sure would hate to be a Cal Bear or Ole Miss Rebel fan! Go Dawgs!
Gman
October 13th, 2009
12:06 am
Re CMR’s and Cox’s sentiment that those that haven’t played cannot criticize; I am not a world class chef but damn sure know when the food is rotten.
I have a cousin who studies cell membranes and admittedly I’m not terribly familiar with the nuances of his work, but I’ve got a pretty good grasp on Willie’s abilities and obvious limitations.
No more money from me until words give way to action and someone actually fixes this mess.
Ole Yeller Dawg
October 13th, 2009
12:21 am
CJ Bulldog – No excuse – Alabama lost RB Glen Coffee, QB John Parker Wilson, OT Andre Smith to the NFL and I actually think they are playing better!
If you want to run with the big dawgs you need to recruit A+ defensive players………Defense wins ball games…..If you don’t you will need to hide under the porch!
StL Dawg
October 13th, 2009
12:53 am
UGA had the same offensive problems back in 2006 when we had another leader named Joe T. I don’t believe Bobo is the main problem here folks. Having Joe Cox is limiting his choices and it was obvious Saturday that Pee Wee Gray is not the answer. Hard to believe that Gray has been at UGA for 3 years in the weight room?
Anyone who thinks Damon Evans has the horse power to fire Richt or demand he fire assistants is living at Disney World. It’s up to the high dollar boosters to lean on Adams if changes are going to happen. CMR is a good coach, but too loyal to his staff and seniors. There is no way Bryan Evans or Princess Miller should see another defensive down this season. Give Cox the clip board and let Evans and Miller play on special teams. Not sure what’s going with the Strength and Conditioning coach, but our DL look out of shape and winded most of the game. There is no way Smart leaves Bama for the mess we have in Athens. Also, Charlie Strong is not HC material. He is the co-DC so that should tell you something.
Kay85
October 13th, 2009
1:07 am
Alot must change in Athens… AND I MEAN FAST!!!! Mark Richt is a very good coach, we all know that. But the Difference between him and Urban Meyer is that Meyer DELIVERS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!!! We need a coach that can take us to the promise land, not to second rate BCS games, or mediocre bowl games. When will we as Bulldawg nation take our rightful place at the Head of the table??? WE ARE GEORGIA, not some second rate program!!! Year in year out we produce top 10 recruiting classes, if it’s not the Jimmy’s and the Joes, then it’s clearly the X’s and O’s. It’s time for Mark Richt to deliver a national Championship THIS IS GEORGIA, THIS IS BIG TIME, if he can’t do it, we need to find a coach that can.
blueboy
October 13th, 2009
1:10 am
Like Damon Evans said move on to Vandy. You may be able to beat at least one team from Tennessee. GA is 1-3 against TN last 4 games! Go VOLS! Whose laughing now!
Assessing Georgia’s path out of (relative) rock-bottom | Newstion.com
October 13th, 2009
1:17 am
[...] that the Bulldogs don’t really know how to do anything. Even the athletic director had to publicly acknowledge that he has some "concerns," possibly code for yes, the defensive coordinator is on the [...]
Lucy In The Sky With Orson
October 13th, 2009
1:19 am
Would someone ask Orson Charles if UGA’s Fellowship of Christian Athletes is that much more impressive than other schools? I know he also wanted to follow his bosom buddy to colleghe. I know it was NOT about winning National Championships. Orson, PLEASE tell me it was not about winning National Championships? I forgot, the Rev also said you could wear Number 7. Orson , you are really not smart enough to attend UGA. UGA is actually a very goodschool and ANYONE who would base a decision on what number he wears and where a boy he went to high school with went to school IS JUST WAY TOO SILLY. Orson, are you silly??
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41 17 20 45
October 13th, 2009
1:22 am
Cam CMR endure more beatdowns like this from Lecter Les? >>>>http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/10/05/the-alphabetical-09-week-five/#more-12510
41 38 49 38 45 24 37 41 17 20 45
October 13th, 2009
1:26 am
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2009/10/05/the-alphabetical-09-week-five/#more-12510