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
hmmmmm
July 1st, 2010
9:11 pm
IT was a DUI….not freaking murder for CHRISTS SAKES you holy ‘er than thou idiots….
He should not resign. Take his punishment and move on. I swear Bradley were you just bored, hope you resign when you run a red light-
Jane
July 1st, 2010
9:11 pm
Mr. Bradley, would you immediately resign after one DUI ? Have you EVER driven after a few drinks? And did you call for Bobby Cox to resign after his domestic abuse charge?
Courtney Fuhrmann ARREST – LALATE (blog) | Elaike News Center
July 1st, 2010
9:11 pm
[...] Speak At 6:30pm; Young Woman In Car During ArrestMrSEC (blog)Razorback Central (subscription) -Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -ESPNall 260 news [...]
Otis Campbell
July 1st, 2010
9:12 pm
And this is the leader of the great bulldog nation? He kicks kids out of school for such incidents and now he thinks he should keep his job. I think there are some double standards there boys and girls.
John
July 1st, 2010
9:12 pm
“So Mark, everyman who is arrested/convicted for DUI needs to lose their job?” – “Fan” at 8:10 pm
It all depends on the job.
If you are a ditch digger, no. Carpenter? No. Mechanic? No.
But…
When your value to your employer is based on your judgment and the decisions you make, then yes, it can put your job in serious jeopardy.
When you are a public figure representing your employer to the public, the media, and to donors, the stakes are exponentially higher.
Mr. Evans is the face of Georgia athletics. He has embarrassed the university, the athletic association, and — incidentally – his family and friends. His actions and woefully bad decisions will inevitably have repercussions.
Jaydawg
July 1st, 2010
9:12 pm
No Montel J@7:58.If he were white he would have been fired on the spot or already resigned.
Irving Johansan
July 1st, 2010
9:12 pm
Heyyyy…..this Bud’s for you!
Trae
July 1st, 2010
9:13 pm
If he is convicted, he should resign. But I think everyone should wait on a conviction before they call for his head on a platter–especially in light of the recent DUI arrest of a certain public official in Gwinnett County.
Georgia has become a police state. Until that stops, the presumption of “innocent until proven guilty” should be a mantra for everyone, lest they become the next police report on the AJC or local paper.
I’ll retain my doubt while I wait on the police report using the boilerplate language that all Georgia cops are taught to use in those reports.
andy
July 1st, 2010
9:14 pm
Come on Mark – if everyone was fired the first time they made a mistake, we wouldn’t be reading your columns each week. I hope that Mr. Evans moves forward and uses this as a teaching tool as he continues the fine job he has done during his time at UGA.
Errrrrbody get Tipsy
July 1st, 2010
9:14 pm
Sandog,,, if you and others want to use “those who are without sin cast the first stone” passage, I suggest to you and others to read the rest of the passage as well to get the full meaning.
Atlanta Dawg Fan
July 1st, 2010
9:15 pm
Evans has been known for hanging out with the ladies in Buckhead for years. I don’t know why Adams thinks he is a man of “High Character.” Men of character don’t go drinking with women who aren’t their wife.
Bob Horner didn't have much range at 3rd base
July 1st, 2010
9:17 pm
Atlanta Dawg Fan …I sit in my den and drink beer and watch the Braves every night without interacting with my wife..is that okay..??
boots
July 1st, 2010
9:18 pm
As a UGA grad and passionate Dawg fan, I hate to see anything reflect poorly on the university. However, Evans is the head of the AD, and as such he should do the right thing. It was disappointing to hear him avoid the proper response today and bring further shame on the institution and the programs he represents. This is a slam dunk – he needs to go and go immediately. No questions. No time to ponder. No testing of the winds of public opinion. This is about leadership and ethics, and he failed at both. R E S I G N.
hmmmmm
July 1st, 2010
9:18 pm
Because he has a public service ad on the scoreboard that says don’t drink and drive he loses credibility??? Half the people in the stadium are drinking or drunk ….the student body parties every week…give me a break with this set an example crap….
hdchevyman
July 1st, 2010
9:18 pm
Get over the race issue! That is old news. It doesn’t matter that he was white, black, blue, brown, yellow, or purple! With the position that he held with the University Of Georgia, he was held to a higher standard. How can kids respect anyone that announces don’t drink and drive and then that person gets arrested for drinking and driving! Yes, he has probably learned his lesson but damn I’m tired of hearing about race being an issue. When was the last time a white person got a minority scholarship to go to college!
Elmo
July 1st, 2010
9:19 pm
Just wonder how long a middle age White Guy would hold on to that gig after all of that ?
Just ask Mike Price. All he did was go to a booby bar and had guests after that at his crib .
Bobby Cox Defenders
July 1st, 2010
9:19 pm
Bobb Cox Fan -
Bobby Cox is being drawn into the debate because people refuse to see the hypocrisy of their outrage against Damon Evans.
If the outrage is about Damon Evans not leading by example, embarrassing and letting down an organization, and getting arrested, Bobby Cox is guilty of the same offenses. What is so difficult to comprehend? It is not about black or white…it’s an apple to apple comparison. Simply stated…it’s just the facts!
Tony
July 1st, 2010
9:20 pm
If he was white, he would have already been fired. What a double standard
Bulldog59
July 1st, 2010
9:20 pm
Trae, all valid points, no question, but Evans basically admitted his guilt at the press conference at 6:30. Expect a plea agreement and for Evans to try to get this go away as quietly as possible.
The DUI charges are actually down the list of his problems right now, behind (1) his status with his family, and (2) his status with UGA.
BigSherm7
July 1st, 2010
9:21 pm
I’m African American . . . this has nothing to do with race . . . I am very hesitant to recommend that a breadwinner (and that’s a lot of bread!!!) lose his or her job, but when you forfeit your credibility, especially at a school whose football team is already rife with discipline problems, Prez Adams only has one choice . . .I’ll give you a hint . . . Donald Trump . . .
Al
July 1st, 2010
9:22 pm
Some of you…including you Mr Bradley check out Matthew 7.1
Delbert D.
July 1st, 2010
9:22 pm
That famous mug shot of Evans is now the face of University of Georgia athletics. When the students start marches on campus with posters of Evans’ face on sticks perhaps Adams will act.
College Fan
July 1st, 2010
9:22 pm
Sounds like a complete lack of institutional control to me.
Let the NCAA probe into this one.
Boca Baby
July 1st, 2010
9:22 pm
Drunk and a chick in your car that is not your wife? So long Damon.
Pi$$onaDawg
July 1st, 2010
9:23 pm
TRAE you know that it could take up to 18 months until EVANS sees a court date in Atlanta! If Damon gets a faster trial than the AVERAGE BLACK MAN or WHITE MAN then he is getting special treatment that You nor I would get. That is called racism. The RACISM is the difference between GREEN/POLITICAL and you and me. TRAE I bet you swing the HOES around too and think it is OK for you, but let a PIMP do that to YO Momma. Right?
You Stupid Rednecks
July 1st, 2010
9:23 pm
Tell us, you stupid rednecks, which is worse: your AD’s wildly hypocritical misconduct, or dozens of your fans (undoubtedly including some of the bloggers on this page) TAKING A DUMP on the campus after home games! The fodder you provide for everyone else to laugh at never ends.
Courtney Fuhrmann ARREST – LALATE (blog) | Snafu Blog
July 1st, 2010
9:24 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Bob Horner didn't have much range at 3rd base
July 1st, 2010
9:24 pm
it sux when you get caught…..I’ve been there…I guess I’m in the minorty…but I’m not giving in 1 DUI should not destroy your life…
I Betcha...
July 1st, 2010
9:24 pm
ole Mark has probably had one before too!
FL Dawg
July 1st, 2010
9:25 pm
For all those that want Evans fired…just hang on. If you read the article and have any reading retention, you will remember that Adams was out of town. Adams was unable to adequately make a public statement. My bet is Adams is so ticked off, he wants the satisfaction of firing him in person. Evans has simply given Adams the opportunity to fire him. Evans is gone. There is simply no way that he can stay.
Bob Horner didn't have much range at 3rd base
July 1st, 2010
9:25 pm
Al…was Matthew an apostle..???
hoisher
July 1st, 2010
9:26 pm
If everybody was to be fired everytime they drank alcohol while they drove, then noone would be working!!!! Just because we dont get DUI every time we drink, doenst make you exempt. Everytime you get behind the wheel after you have drank more than 2 drinks, you have the potential to be thrown in jail, if you are pulled over. No one with common sense would fire someone with a very good work ethic, from there job for getting behind the wheel if they have had a couple drinks. Just because he got caught, should not change the outcome. If he has multiple offenses, then he should be let go. But learning from your mistakes is what builds lifes character, not firing someone at the first sign of trouble. Only person that should be throwing rocks and hiding their hand, is the person who has never had a alcoholic beverage and driven on the road, everyone else should be ashamed of themselves.
Peter
July 1st, 2010
9:26 pm
Hay sanddog who is Crist ? ” And Bradley must be the new Crist ”
You must have graduated suma com beer bong ! UGA I am assuming ?
UGA66
July 1st, 2010
9:27 pm
Fire his A@@ ASP. Damon has put himself in a position that he can’t get out of. He must pay the price.
Where da White Women at
July 1st, 2010
9:27 pm
Enter your comments here
Tiger Wood
July 1st, 2010
9:27 pm
Damon, in your own small way you have helped me today. For that I’m thankful. Tiger
UGA DOG
July 1st, 2010
9:28 pm
HEY MONTELL!!! AM I JUST A WHITE RACIST BULLDOG?
puff
July 1st, 2010
9:28 pm
Damon’s loss of credibility spreads to Adams and the whole University unless he leaves. Nothing should be taken seriously coming out of the administration unless there is a change.
Where da White Women at
July 1st, 2010
9:28 pm
$500k a year only gets you that grade of white women…I’d demand a raise!
2nd Chances
July 1st, 2010
9:28 pm
“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”
You’re saying we this and we that. Speak for yourself. I don’t agree. Humans make mistakes and I am ready to move on. Go Dawgs!!
Gunter
July 1st, 2010
9:29 pm
Sad day for Damon, his family and the University. It’s a no win situation. If I were Adams, I would keep him on the pay roll but in a downgraded position, cut his salary in half and hire me a new AD.
Melanie
July 1st, 2010
9:29 pm
Dear Mark Bradley, do ANY of us practice what we preach? It’s called a mistake. All of us make them. His is just on a bigger scale because he has a higher position (than all of us). So next time we call whether or not this man should have a job, let’s look at ourselves and how we would feel if it us in that situation, no?
Erica Wade
July 1st, 2010
9:29 pm
Fire
JeJe
July 1st, 2010
9:29 pm
It’s a freaking DUI. Who cares? Every third person in the media has had an incident like this. Our former president George W. got a DUI.
Big deal.
Cam
July 1st, 2010
9:30 pm
I think if we keep him he should take a 10 percent pay cut. If a player gets the same offense he loses 10 percent of his planying time, then why should he not give up ten percent of his money for the same offense? On a side note I think his wife is probably wanting to know what that 28 year was doing in the car with him….
Boca Baby
July 1st, 2010
9:30 pm
Al: “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Mt 7:1 OK, we will not judge him. But if we are going to use scripture let’s also quote Jesus when he said, “for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush”. In other words if you plant corn you are not going to get green beans. The fruit of Mr Damon’s activities is not acceptable for the position he holds.
Mike Price
July 1st, 2010
9:30 pm
Mike Price says “come on over Damon, I need some company!”….LMAO Mike Price is white and was fired.
Jflyn
July 1st, 2010
9:30 pm
Mark Bradley is an assclown and has been for years. They should have booted him the same time they booted Terrance Moore
keith l
July 1st, 2010
9:31 pm
I am a passionate Ga fan and I think Damon has done a good job as AD, but his credability is gone forever. Adams will probably sniff the wind a day or two and then put him on the street.
glasshouses
July 1st, 2010
9:31 pm
READ THIS CLOSELY YOU IDIOTS……he FIRED a coach last year for a DUI. Why should HE get any better treatment? Anybody saying he should be keeping his job, I want to know if you were defending the coach last year when he lost his job. Of course not…nobody cared.
On a lighter note…….
I hear the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has been moved to Damon’s car.