Evans says he’s sorry, but UGA should say, ‘See you later’
Damon Evans says he's sorry. Mrs. Evans (center) looks on. (AJC photo by Curtis Compton)
Athens — Damon Evans is a lucky man. At least for the moment, he still has his job. Were I the president of the University of Georgia, Evans would be out of work.
The Bulldogs’ athletics director met the press here 12 1/2 hours after he left an Atlanta jail. He spoke without notes and with great conviction. “I’m very ashamed and embarrassed by my actions,” Evans said. “I let this university down; I let my family down, and I let so many people down who have supported me along the way.”
Not to be a raging skeptic, but contrition costs nothing. At such a time, contrition is the kneejerk response. What was noteworthy about Evans’ mea culpa was what he didn’t offer.
He didn’t offer to resign.
That gesture would have carried more weight than all his stated remorse. That gesture would have been the right one to make. And it would have been only right for president Michael Adams, who risked what political capital he had left when he anointed Evans to replace Vince Dooley in 2004, to accept the offer.
There’s a difference between losing a ballgame and forfeiting credibility. The images that will chase Evans forever are the video spot he did advising Sanford Stadium patrons not to drink and drive — if you do, Evans said, “”you lose” — and the regrettable mug shot that has already become all the Internet rage. How, if you’re an institution of higher learning, can you square the two?
And how, if you’re the flagship university in a state where an intern in the governor’s office was killed last month by an allegedly drunk driver, can you fail to send the message that there are more important things than ballgames? Evans has done a fine job as AD, but that’s no longer the issue. At issue is that a man heading a department that is charged with educating young men and women has become an issue unto himself.
Said Evans: “My actions have put a black cloud over our storied program,” and there is, sorry to say, only one way to change that. Georgia needs to fire Evans because he has breached the first commandment of leadership. He has failed to practice what he preached.
Evans again: “I think, ‘You’ve got to be the leader you talk about being; you’ve got to be the role model’ … It’s going to take a while to earn trust back, and it should.”
The sad truth is that we can never look on Damon Evans the same again. His teams could win every national championship known to man and woman, and we’d still think of him as the guy with his eyes closed in his booking photo. This isn’t to suggest he’s guilty of a crime — he’s entitled to the presumption of innocence, same as everyone — but clearly he was deficient in judgment.
He was stopped by police driving a car in erratic fashion late at night an hour and a half from home with a woman (who was herself arrested) who wasn’t his wife. “Just a friend,” Evans said of Courtney Fuhrmann. Seated to his right as he spoke was Kerri Evans, his wife and the mother of his two children.
“I have some shortcomings,” Evans said. “That’s part of life.” And it is. None among us is perfect. But not everyone is hired to lead young men and women and paid a half-million dollars to do it.
Loading ...Evans made it clear he wants to stay as AD but conceded: “I don’t know what is coming my way.” And Adams, who was out of town Thursday, released a statement after Evans spoke. Two lines resonated.
The first: “Certainly this is not an example of the kind of leadership I expect our senior administrators to set.”
The second: “[I] will resolve further action pending a full review by staff and legal counsel.”
The most difficult day of Damon Evans’ life ended with him still employed. That might not be the case much longer. And it shouldn’t be.
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1,034 comments Add your comment
HugoStiglitz
July 1st, 2010
8:23 pm
How this man could possibly keep his job blows my mind. I cant imagine that more then 5% of UGA fans actually want him to stay.
Navigator
July 1st, 2010
8:23 pm
Hey I’m a Tech guy and I disagree, he got drunk and drove his car. That was bad, but firing him makes no sense. When coaches are passing out drugs to each other, you fire them, but this is an isolated incident and he should be given a two strikes your out, but not now.
TampaGator
July 1st, 2010
8:23 pm
Fan…if Furcal was the manager of the Braves who told all his fellow players and the Braves fans in public not to drink and drive…and then did….then, yes, to your question. But he was only the shortstop then and not in a leadership position of college kids. See the difference?
Beast from the East
July 1st, 2010
8:24 pm
Gdog,
How’s he gonna make it right with Mettenberger?
CaptainMudderland
July 1st, 2010
8:24 pm
Unfortunate things happen to people and they have to face the consequences–it matters not what I think–most probably a reference point for action would be the possible morals clause included in Mr. Evans’ UGA contract.
Charles Bannister
July 1st, 2010
8:25 pm
Hey Bobby Cox Fan, Bobby aint no saint. He slapped his wife around after a home loss. Do you homework!
Errrrrbody get Tipsy
July 1st, 2010
8:25 pm
Hell hath no fury like a woman’s scorn. The look on his wife’s face says there is more to come ! She was just a friend? Sure Damon
Idiot supporters
July 1st, 2010
8:25 pm
My guess is 90% are afro americans. Just like with obama, any black person does something wrong, they still support them. blacks are the ones with the racist chips on their shoulders.
Tweets that mention Evans says he's sorry, but UGA should say, 'See you later' | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 1st, 2010
8:25 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AJC , John Clay, Adam Kosnitzky and others. Adam Kosnitzky said: Mr. @MarkBradleyAJC of @ajc just posted an interesting article on the UGA AD, Evans issue. He makes good points. http://bit.ly/bkOzjn [...]
You Ain't-Know Gaily Whacker
July 1st, 2010
8:26 pm
If UGA keeps him, it is a sad day for the university.
Keep America strong, build more submarines.
Tweets that mention Evans says he's sorry, but UGA should say, 'See you later' | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 1st, 2010
8:26 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley. Mark Bradley said: Damon Evans says he's sorry, but UGA should say, "See you later." http://bit.ly/a1ga4u [...]
...bloodhound...
July 1st, 2010
8:27 pm
Hire Derek Dooley as AD.
Chad
July 1st, 2010
8:27 pm
If he says you drink and drive, you lose, and he keeps his job, please explain what he loses? That is the reason you have to can him. You can’t have your AD going around preaching that talk and then get arrested for it and nothing happens besides his dui punishment. Some people on here are clueless.
Tech fan
July 1st, 2010
8:28 pm
How is he suppose to discipline students and have any credibility at all with this scandal hanging over him. How will he handle the next UGA athlete that gets a DUI , and there probably will be at least one before the season is over?
He needs to resign and try to salvage his marriage if its not too late.
Me
July 1st, 2010
8:28 pm
He’s probably really sorry but he’s also probably really gone. They’ll do it tomorrow.
CaptainMudderland
July 1st, 2010
8:29 pm
In case you do want to know what I think…he should not be fired…merely reassigned for six months and subsequently given the opportunity to resume his duties as AD. I really do think this is a ‘one timer.’
mike
July 1st, 2010
8:30 pm
So here’s the logic….”Hey, I just made a huge mistake! Well darn, I guess I should just quit my job to show everyone how sorry I am. No wait; I can do better; perhaps I should just throw myself on a burning pyre so everyone will know that I am really, really, really sorry instead of just sorry.”
Come on everyone, let’s kick him while he’s down!
Sam
July 1st, 2010
8:30 pm
Tampa
It has also to do with the fact the braves are a private business and uga is a public university that receives public(your’s and mine) funds.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 1st, 2010
8:30 pm
Most people arrested for DUI in Fulton and go to Wright St. do not get out in less than 18 hours. The people at Fulton County Jail make you sit for hours with the “REGULAR TRASH” in a Holding Cell. Damon got special treatment You or I wouldn’t get. And Yes, Been There Done That not with a hoe not my wife. The first thing Damon should have done was to leave the Podium and get on his knees and BEG for forgivness from his wife. NOOOO Damon had to say he hurt the UNIVERSITY. What a Freaking Joke. He LOVES the Red & Black + the GREEN more than his Wife and Children. What a Joke.
doggg
July 1st, 2010
8:31 pm
Here’s hoping that Damon’s wife is not proficient with a golf club! =))
TampaGator
July 1st, 2010
8:31 pm
What about Bobby Cox????……Bobby was arrested…not convicted….his wife dropped the charges….I believe. At least Bobby got drunk in his house when he decided to do something really stupid. And that incident was more about Bobby and his wife….and was not a public issue or an issue for his players for that matter….because of the person everyone knew Bobby to be….and is….even though I have never forgiven him for letting Charlie Liebrant face Kirby Puckett.
r
July 1st, 2010
8:32 pm
Montell J u sir are a racist. you generalize white people because you think we cannot deplore his actions as a man. you think we r mad at his color. well news flash color does not matter, wrong is wrong no matter what color you r
"Chef" Tim Dix
July 1st, 2010
8:32 pm
Mark, agreed, and I bleed red and black.
Asked forgiveness of his boss.
Asked forgiveness of the bulldog nation.
AND THEN asked the same of his own family..
Who knew Tiger was the AD at UGA.
Bu Bye.
TruthSeeker
July 1st, 2010
8:32 pm
I agree that Evans should tender his resignation immediately. If it’s a player, you punish him then forgive him and let him come back into the fold. Evans can be forgiven too, but he can’t continue to represent UGA in such a high-profile position. Damon has a great job and it’s understandable that he’d have a hard time willingly walking away from it, but if he truly loves his alma mater and wants what’s best for it then that’s exactly what he needs to do.
Seth
July 1st, 2010
8:33 pm
Funny doggg. maybe we will hear of his wife chucking football helmets at his car while he drives off tonight.
Bobb Cox Fan
July 1st, 2010
8:33 pm
Hey Charles Bannister—He didn’t get arrested for a DUI and he wasn’t driving around Buckhead after midnight with a bimbo! Hopefully Damons wife smacked him around this morning!
pink slip
July 1st, 2010
8:34 pm
UGA deserves better.
bulletbob
July 1st, 2010
8:34 pm
If he keeps his job, we will stay home on game day just to prove a point about credibility and accountability.
Jan Kemp X 50 = Damon Evans
UGA athletic director apologizes for DUI arrest – Atlanta Journal Constitution | Top Web News
July 1st, 2010
8:35 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Errrrrbody get Tipsy
July 1st, 2010
8:35 pm
Some of those photos during his press conference makes him look that he still has one helluva hangover…..
Mack
July 1st, 2010
8:35 pm
Pay someone that much money and you think they should keep their job with that kind of pathetic decision making? From a business standpoint, you fire his butt.
You also fire him for being a hypocrite.
TampaGator
July 1st, 2010
8:36 pm
Idiot supporters….NOT TRUE….I would expect that the percentage of blacks that are racist is about the same percentage as whites that are racist. Racism is a product of ignorance (no matter what color you are)….and education and knowledge is the cure for that pitiful ailment….but too many people don’t read, I am afraid. They just listen to talk shows instead.
Chief Nocahoma
July 1st, 2010
8:36 pm
I wish my wife would let me hang out with good looking 28 year old gal friends. Damon’s got it going on. Wife and two kids at home and a honey on the side. Way to set an example to the young people. Show them how it’s done. Now just see if you can get off the hook for less money than it cost Tiger. Elin – I’m available for whatever services you need. I don’t care if you do eat crackers in bed. We will keep a whole case of Ritz in the bed side table if thats what you like.
Bob Horner didn't have much range at 3rd base
July 1st, 2010
8:37 pm
I’m in the minority….1 DUI shouldn’t destroy your life..(unless you kill somebody) I got a DUI 15yrs ago I blew .09 I wasn’t even drunk..went through a license check…
Getreal
July 1st, 2010
8:37 pm
One year ago Evans fired the UGA XC coach for getting a DUI. Evans set up the rules and should be judged by his own rules. Live by the sword…
Jacket Backer
July 1st, 2010
8:37 pm
Hope he stays forever! Will make our job much easier.
Go Jackets!!
mike
July 1st, 2010
8:37 pm
Wow, idiot supporters, you are quite an idiot yourself. So everything in Atlanta always has to come down to race? Why can’t you look at the situation and state your case, instead of just bringing up race. I guess you’re too ignorant to have a decent discussion.
UGA athletic director apologizes for DUI arrest – Atlanta Journal Constitution | Trendscovered.com
July 1st, 2010
8:38 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
country boy
July 1st, 2010
8:38 pm
Ballsy article Marky boy…. and spot on. Good job.
Getreal
July 1st, 2010
8:38 pm
BTW the XC coach was a white male…
SiddyBoy
July 1st, 2010
8:39 pm
Wonder if Pat Dye is available? Just kidding of course.Or Chan Gailey?What about Billy Boy Curry?Or ____________? You can fill the blanks.
SiddyBoy
July 1st, 2010
8:39 pm
Wonder if Pat Dye is available? Just kidding of course.Or Chan Gailey?What about Billy Boy Curry?Or ____________? You can fill the blanks.
SiddyBoy
July 1st, 2010
8:40 pm
Let’s hire Tiger Woods !!
Mike S
July 1st, 2010
8:40 pm
President Adams must fire Damon Evans for UGA to retain any credibility what-so-ever. At the very least Evans should be suspended without pay immediately if Adams wants to play the “Until completion of the investigation” game. Either way Damon Evans should not even get a sniff of the Butts-Mehre complex again.
Willie Martinez
July 1st, 2010
8:40 pm
Adios Amigos !
FlaDawg
July 1st, 2010
8:40 pm
It makes me sick to my stomach that this happened and I agree that he must go. Mr. Evans can no longer lead the program without being a punchline!
FlaDawg
July 1st, 2010
8:41 pm
Enter your comments here
Dennis G. Berdanis
July 1st, 2010
8:41 pm
If Mark agrees he will resign immediately if he’s ever been cited for DUI/DWI or will agree to resign immediately in the future if he is so cited, then I’ll agree that Damon Evans should resign now.
Tech fan
July 1st, 2010
8:41 pm
Utah…..needs a new AD.
crusher dawg
July 1st, 2010
8:41 pm
It’s hard to set an example and be a leader when you go against the things that you have preached against. Mr. Evans would be a better person if he would have resigned and Dr. Adams would be a better President if he accepted it. You can’t tell people not to drink and drive when he is doing it himself. Especially being with another lady besides his wife.