UGA’s Michael Adams as NCAA president? Could happen
Michael Adams keeps denying, sort of, that he’s interested in being the NCAA president. Funny thing, though. More than a few folks believe otherwise.
To the Associated Press back in September, Adams said this: “I’d never talk publicly about two things, jobs or money. I love the University of Georgia. My plan is to be here until retirement.”
To the AP during the NCAA convention here last week: “We’re Georgians. We love it here. My family is happy here, and if the Regents will let me stay, I expect to be here. Is that clear enough?”
Uh, not really. Neither time did Adams say, “If nominated, I will not run. If elected, I will not serve.” He has left the door ajar just enough that nobody is counting him out.
Here, from Steve Wieberg of USA Today — I should note that Mr. Wieberg knows the inner workings of the NCAA better than any outsider — is this breakdown:
“Penn State president Graham Spanier, who once led the Division I board of directors and remains active in the NCAA, also has support as a prospective candidate, say several people within the NCAA who talked on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the search. Georgia president Michael Adams is another widely speculated but less certain prospect, according to those same people.
“Another name submitted to the search firm is Donna Shalala, who spent eight years as U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services under President Clinton and has been president at Miami (Fla.) since 2001.
“Shalala … said via e-mail: ‘I am not a candidate and really have no interest. I am sure there are good candidates.’ “
See? That’s a denial.
If Adams is interested — and he was a close associate of the late NCAA president Myles Brand, who died in September — it makes sense to soft-pedal it. He has overplayed his hand before: During the messy back-and-forth with Vince Dooley, whom Adams shoved aside as athletics director, and again when he advocated in January 2008 that the BCS be junked in favor of a playoff system. (The proposal, for which Adams believed there was broad support, never came to a vote.)
And it’s unclear how many allies Adams truly has. He’s an indefatigable networker, but many in collegiate circles recall that he recommended Dooley interview Jim Harrick for the Georgia basketball job back in 1999, and many also recall that Adams overruled his AD in 2000 and fired Jim Donnan, who had won 67 percent of his games.
But there’s also this to consider: Parker Executive Search of Atlanta is doing the NCAA’s headhunting, and that firm who ran the search when Adams was hired by UGA in the first place. Georgia has continued to throw business Dan Parker’s way: The searches for the AD to replace Dooley (turned out to be Damon Evans, who was working down the hall) and the basketball coach to replace Dennis Felton (turned out to be Mark Fox) were also Parker productions.
Wieberg reports the NCAA wants to have a new president by summer. Could UGA be about to bid adieu to its Prez? Despite Adams’ protestations, there’s a good chance he’ll be headed to Indianapolis. And if he does, you folks out there would feel … how?
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88 comments Add your comment
UGA Alumni
January 19th, 2010
8:27 am
I am sure that Dooley made the final hire of Harrick but not without strong influence from Adams, who was a longtime friend of Harrick’s. I do absolutely blame Adams and Harrick equally for the events that led to the NCAA probation. And Adams not being man enough to face the basketball team players is proof of his lack of character.
SOUTH GA DAWG FAN
January 19th, 2010
8:29 am
I will be glad to see him go if its true ,
on a lighter note we better bring Vince Dooley back in some form before he ends up as coach in waiting at UT ! (thats a joke or is it ? )
Ryan
January 19th, 2010
8:46 am
I’d imagine the people who want Adams gone are NOT actually UGA grads.
Look at what the guy has done for UGA’s academic reputation.
Remember when everyone used to think it was easy to get into UGA? It isn’t easy anymore.
As alumni, your school’s academic reputation should always be more important than your football team’s conference standing.
Why? Because, nobody has ever been given a job because their alma mater won the BCS.
46 & 39
January 19th, 2010
8:48 am
Georgia owns Florida, 46 to 39.
Be nice to have a Georgia guy running the NCAA, despite the multiple personalities of the Florida poster here.
We need some pro-Georgia political representation. Might get us into a playoff system where we’d win more Natl Champs outright. Might make sure the ref bias against Georgia is gone. Be pretty cool.
jimmy
January 19th, 2010
8:55 am
lord please bless someone else with mr.adams
DuluthDawg
January 19th, 2010
9:01 am
TZ – thanks for the insider info. We always knew that Adams was bad for UGA athletics, most of us didn’t know that he was harming the school in academics. Just another reason to see this clown move on. Hopefully he will be harmless at the NCAA.
Old Dawg
January 19th, 2010
9:06 am
Darth Adams and his Sith practices need to leave UGA. The Force is obviously not with him!
UGASlobberknocker
January 19th, 2010
9:12 am
Mikey, Please , Just Go. And dont let the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
January 19th, 2010
9:19 am
Michael Adams had an a$$ painting incident occur on his watch. That alone should dispel any notion of NCAA leadership. A$$ painting a little dog just ain’t right. I am still waiting on somebody at the AJC to ask some questions about the a$$ painting. What did Coach Richt know? When did he know it?
frank james
January 19th, 2010
9:21 am
Michael Adams and Jim Harrick deserve each other. They need to be together. I don’t know where that is but Adams needs to go. ( And I mean from UGA and the NCAA).
Otto
January 19th, 2010
9:24 am
Ugh… As much as I’d like to see Adam’s out of UGA I don’t want a pro CFB playoff NCAA Pres.
just the truth
January 19th, 2010
9:32 am
Might as well. He runs the athletic department now. I’ve never seen a college where an AD can’t make a decision without the president having his name attached to it. While I’m aware of the behind the scenes that go on …… this guy is right up there. Damon is only a puppet in front of the person calling all the shots. Unable to make a decision on his own. That’s why he wouldn’t let Dooley stay to the end. He had more cloudt in this state and wouldn’t accept anything less.
123456789
January 19th, 2010
9:38 am
SEC fans of all stripes should be…AFRAID…VERY AFRAID.
Adams as NCAA President would the Kennesaw Mountain Landis of college sports.
Adams has made it RESOUNDINGLY CLEAR for years that he has SERIOUS CONTEMPT
for the way college athletics are handled in general, and the way UGA and the SEC conduct themselves specifically.
If Adams becomes NCAA President, there will be MASSIVE & PUNITIVE changes
in how student-athletes are handled.
The academic requirements for D1 would be significanlty raised ACROSS THE BOARD so that the functionally illiterate type “student-athletes” will no longer be able to make it on to campus.
It will also mean the PERMANENT END of the so-called “Special Admissions” programs at UGA and other places.
FACT: 77% of UGA’s CURRENT FOOTBALL ROSTER is a “Special Admission.”
That means that 77% of the CURRENT UGA FOOTBALL ROSTER is so academically deficient that they fail to meet the MINIMUM academic requirements to be admitted. It requires a SPECIAL ADMISSION REVIEW BY THE PRESIDENT to approve the enrollment.
If Adams becomes NCAA President, the manner in which D1 College Football and the SEC in particular currently conducts itself will be Gone With The Wind.
The ultimate outcome of the Decory Bryant case might even accelerate the process of Adams becoming NCAA President.
Wouldnt surprise me…AT ALL…if a new Adams regime started off…by making an example of UGA.
Adams HATES UGA fans. As NCAA President, he will make UGA and the entire SEC a target of his NEW MANDATE.
Ogeechee Dawg
January 19th, 2010
9:39 am
The cold hard facts are this – UGA Prsident Michael Adams has been an incredibly excellent asset for UGA.
Under Adams tenure:
– UGA’s reputation as a national research university has excelled.
– Is NOW considered a top 25 public university.
– The campus has undergone much needed renovations and beautification projects.
– Athletic spending has incresed exponentially – and recent approved projects will enusre that facilities in Athens are as good as it gets in college athletics.
– Overall athletic success -as a program – at an all time high.
– Besides Mens basketball – overall – UGA is very competitive in alomost all of it’s sports.
– Speaking of mens basketball – massive investment made in practice facility – Stegman is being renovated – and a new coach has been put in place.
– While he gets the blame – and maybe rightfully so – for Jim Harrick – he should get the praise for MARK RICHT. Coach Dooley wanted to keep DONNAN. Adams overruled – Donnan was fired – RICHT was hired.
At the end of the day – not all of his decisions prove popular – but in the long run – look at how much better the university is academically, athletically – and physically – than what it was before he took over.
Adams gets things done – and because of this – there are people out there that will always second guess or be upset.
Dawg Fud
January 19th, 2010
9:41 am
Mark,
you might want to be careful with the term “shoved aside.” Technically, Dooley’s contract ended and he was given a one year extension. Then the extension ended and Adams brought in Evans.
Not saying that I agree with how the situation was handled or taking sides but the fact remains that Dooley’s contract was complete and after given a one year extension was not renewed.
Mark Bradley
January 19th, 2010
9:45 am
Ask Coach Dooley if he felt shoved aside, Dawg Fud. I know what he’d say.
Technophobia
January 19th, 2010
9:51 am
Does he favor a playoff over the BCS?
Mark Bradley
January 19th, 2010
9:57 am
Yes he does, Technophobia. So he’s got that going.
123456789
January 19th, 2010
10:02 am
BTW, according to the publised stats by the Board of Regents,
why does UGA have a 65% Female and 35% Male enrollment profile ??
Shouldnt this look more 50/50 ??
Not aware of another major state-funded University that has an enrollment profile so heavily skewed like this. Or, is there some politically-correct bias to UGA’s admissions process?
Kind of makes you go…Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
Bradley, why dont you have the AJC check that for us.
Unless of course, the AJC doesnt want to explore that.
Ogeechee Dawg
January 19th, 2010
10:05 am
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR – Alot of hate going on about ADAMS – here is the other side of the coin:
Under Adams Leadership:
– UGA has heavily invested into research and is now considered a TOP 25 Public University.
– Safety on campus is at it’s best – lower crime rate – beefed up law enforcement that is serious about it’s job and the protection of the students.
– UGA has heavily invested in it’s physical campus – updating and beautifying the entire campus with a short term – mid term and long term plans – which is ongoing.
– Athletic investment – has increased significantly under Adams – again – short term – mid term and long term strategy. UGA practice and training facilites are recognized as some of the best in the country. Still ongoing investments being made.
– UGA athletic department is overall – as successfull as it has ever been in it’s history under ADAMS. More overall national titles during his tenure than any other.
– MENS BASKETBALL is the exception – but NEW STATE OF THE ART facility underscores the investment UGA is making – and STEGMAN is now undergoing renovations – plus – NEW COACH brought on board to make UGA nationally competitive.
– ADAMS – and rightfully so – is part to blame for Harrick and son – but if we go down this road – we need to recognize that HE is responsible for RICHT. Dooley wanted to keep DONNAN.
Overall – UGA is in much better shape financially, physically, academically and athletically under ADAMS. The campus is much more beautiful and safe.
Adams is a mover and a shaker – which pisses people off – and he understands and plays the game of politics – which every GOOD universtiy president better be able to do – or wind up being a puppet for special interest. He holds people accountable – and drives the university with vision and goals.
Again – it takes an arrogant and very stong willed person to cut through the politics – special interest groups – arrogant professors and educators that do not like being reminded that they are government employees and demand tenure – to get things done.
Arrogant?- Yes! – Is UGA better today than when he arrived? YES!
Now I ask you – what is the beef with ADAMS?
Technophobia
January 19th, 2010
10:08 am
Well, if he wants a playoff system and he wants to improve the academic requirements for all NCAA athletes then I’m all for it. Seeing athletes having to work harder in high school to learn and make grades can only be a good thing. Anything to improve education and academic motivation of high school students would be a good thing. As a nation we are falling behind.
Dr. Phil
January 19th, 2010
10:10 am
Adams was not the top candidate for President of UGA. He was railroaded in by the former Chancellor, who tried to remake the University System like that of Great Britain. Mr. Portch replaced every president in the system. Adams, indeed, gave us Harrick and personally admitted the felon, Tony Coles, who is now in a federal prison. Adams should have been fired and prosecuted for using the Foundation as his personal income, including putting his wife on the payroll. He has been protected by Sonny Perdue and the hand-picked Board of Regents. When Sonny goes, Adams will likely go too. Hopefully a new governor will reorganize the Board, which Sonny has fought against over the last two years. Adams has already damaged UGA, and he knows that his days are counted. He has been campaigning like crazy for the NCAA job, and he would love to get his litttle fingers in the NCAA treasury. Adams will likely claim that he has been offered the NCAA post whether he has or not and use that to extort more money from the State like he did with the job at Ohio State, which he was never offered. If you like the NCAA now, you will love it under Adams.
Ogeechee Dawg
January 19th, 2010
10:15 am
Dawg Fud – good comment – Dooley was given an extension – and when his contract ended – Adams wanted to go in a different direction.
AS Univeristy President – that is Adam’s call to make – and personally – I thought Dooley did a great job – but it was time to move on as he became entitled – much like Bobby Bowden at FSU.
No one person is bigger than the institution – and Dooley was becoing UGA athletics – not a servent to athletics.
My point is – I remember money being raised to replace Dooleys roof at his house – and Dooley glad to accept the money. Dooley is worth milllions – which he earned – yet feels that he is entitled to take money to replace his frgging roof? I would have rather seen that money spent on scholarships.
Adams did us a favor by going in another direction – however, Adams did and has kept Dooley in the picture at UGA.
Technophobia
January 19th, 2010
10:21 am
Hey Mark, I’m off subject here but is the AJC going to report on Duke kicking 3 players off it’s football team for “conduct unbecoming”?
Adams Must Go!
January 19th, 2010
10:44 am
If he becomes NCAA president, hopefully he leaves UGa and doesn’t come back! I’m sick of Adams. He ran off Vince Dooley, who will now be supporting Tennesseee with his son getting the coaching job. Hit the road mike and don’t come back!
Dr. Phil
January 19th, 2010
10:54 am
Adams has made it clear that no one is bigger than the institution–except Adams himself.
DaWg
January 19th, 2010
11:52 am
If Adams becomes president, does that = playoffs in college football?
Jimmy Taylor
January 19th, 2010
1:37 pm
I hope Adams leaves and takes the job. He has always put himself first ahead of UGA. Although I have respect for the office of the President of UGA, I have almost zero respect for Adams. He is self-serving, arrogant, and egotisical. Read the book “Behind the Hedges”. It reveals all the poor decisions he has made as President and exposed his lack of leadership.
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Cuz
January 19th, 2010
1:54 pm
Did Buffalo use Parker Executive Search to hire Chan Gailey? Those guys are brilliant.
Benjamin
January 19th, 2010
2:31 pm
RE: RE: Benjamin
See above, and MB’s post. If Vince Dooley still takes the blame for hiring Harrick, even after they had their nasty split, is it Adams’s fault Harrick was hired?
I rest my case.
The point I was trying to make is this, regardless: university presidents have a lot more on their respective plates than handling the athletic department, yet most of the people in here responding to this are doing so out of a clear sports bias; which, I suppose, is fair considering this IS a sports blog/sports discussion. I just wanted to make the delineation that Michael Adams has a lot more to do with his presidential duties than worry about the football program or the basketball program.
The journalism student who posted above — I admit I don’t know anything about that situation, and if you happen to read through on this further, please do let me know what specifically you speak of, as you’ve piqued my curiosity.
- Benjamin
Benjamin
January 19th, 2010
2:35 pm
And, for the record, I grew up bleeding red and black. Love Vince Dooley. Don’t care for Michael Adams for my own reasons…
I just find it odd that so many people judge him solely because of the sports programs that were ran under him. The man’s done a lot for the university.
Benjamin
January 19th, 2010
2:44 pm
Well said, btw, Ogeechee…
Dr Richard Handler
January 19th, 2010
4:44 pm
I said Adams would be the NCAA chief the day Miles Brand passed.
Tampa Dawg
January 21st, 2010
12:37 pm
Ogeechee Dawg and Benjamin:
Have you ever bothered to read Between the Hedges? That book more than anything spells out the numerous financial improprieties and failure of fiduciary duty of Adams.
The very few supporters that Adams has continually throw up the same old smoke screen that he used when the financial audit was first published; it is academics vs. athletics. While there is a small contingent that is just ticked off about his meddling in athletic affairs, I believe the majority of people who have done even a cursory amount of research on the subject disapprove of Adams for non-athletic reasons. Namely his using UGA funds as his own private piggy bank (unless he gets caught and is forced to pay it back) and his mistreatment of UGA faculty.
Once that cancer is removed from UGA I will do cartwheels in the street. While I am concerned about what havoc he might wreak on the NCAA, if that’s what it take to finally pry Megalo Mike out of UGA then I am all for it.
Dr. Seymour Hiney
January 22nd, 2010
12:40 am
Hell, as a Distinguished Prof. of Bootieology at the U. of Georgia, I don’t give a $hit where Adams is or who his replacement may be. As long as the athletic dept. and the admissions office keeps letting all those young, hot gymnasts in…man, those vertically challenged hotties are always a distraction during my lectures..heck, I’d like to roll around with them on the gymnastics mat any time…
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