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
OkieDawg
July 1st, 2010
9:58 pm
Fire him! Right now, I’m totally embarrassed to tell anyone I graduated from the UGA. Who did he apologize to? Dr. Adams that’s who. He was begging to keep that $550,000/ year salary. What is Damon Evans worth away from UGA? NOT $550,000. Excuse me, but I have the same education resume as Damon and I would love $550,000. UGA needs to save the money. VD will be the AD for free, and do a better job.
Gen Neyland
July 1st, 2010
9:58 pm
Montell J : What a hero to the ‘community’, huh..?
The man sets policy, breaks his own policy he hands out punishment for and you want him to skate..? Amazing. Simply stupidly amazing.
buzzinjacket
July 1st, 2010
9:59 pm
Keep him. Maybe a Damon Evans and Courtney Fuhrmann sex tape will surface soon.
outsider
July 1st, 2010
9:59 pm
JD, for god’s sake look at the picture. He cannot even focus his eyes.
Gen Neyland
July 1st, 2010
9:59 pm
JD : He kinda admitted it…You not cool with admission..?
MisterT
July 1st, 2010
9:59 pm
Old Dawg,
It only helps Tech if they keep him. Isn’t it obvious that uga loses credibility if they don’t cut this guy loose? They loose credibility with recruits, current student atletes, students period, and even alumni…except for apparently you.
THWg!
Cynthia
July 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
Mr. Evans is surely not living up to the same standards he talks about in the PSA he did for UGA students about not drinking and driving. This is the first day of his new contract and he makes good money. I feel for his family if he gets fired. Just disappointing all around!
Owen
July 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
jd
are you that inane? his car was swerving. cop smelled booze on him. he REFUSED the breath test. the photo…omg..come on.
guilty as charged.
tech players beat their ho's
July 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
maybe he just should have done like Robert Hall and smacked his ho up. Or be like the other maggot player and smack his ho up in the pizza parlor
Johnnnnny UUUU
July 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
He has go….the next time a uga football player gets a dui…which should be soon….all he has to say…..you did not bust on ole evans…so dont think i am going sit out a couple of game….
Dawggrl
July 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
I haven’t read all of the comments yet, so I am not sure if someone else has already said this: It would go a long way with me if he offered to resign but all of the coaches and faculty were allowed to vote rather to keep him or not. Let those who work beside him and know him on a professional level decide if he should be given another chance. I don’t believe that everyone who has gotten a DUI should lose their jobs, but not everyone is in a leadership position at a flagship state university. When you take a public position, you have to deal with the consequences of messing up.
antonio romero
July 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
you are right bradley—-my thought is-the sin is bad enough, but the stupidity of the sin is what always gets you.
Brenda
July 1st, 2010
10:00 pm
message to UGA students – cheat on your wife and you can still have $630k per yeaer. Dont sweat it, the boosters will pony up for these tickets and cover my crown royal and my white hoochie. Damon Evans says “leave Tiger Woods alone! Red and Black for Tiger and Red and Black for me! jsut have my GREEN half a million ready UGAALUMNI SUCKAS!”
PS Free Mike Vick! UGA VII was killed by BAD NEWZ KENNELS!! Damon covered that up too!
Glenn
July 1st, 2010
10:01 pm
I just do not see how UGA can keep Damon after this. I hate to see him go, because I feel he has done a good job. But he has made an unforgiveable error.
Got to love it
July 1st, 2010
10:02 pm
JD, how stupid are you. He admitted it. Don’t say he didn’t.
Erty
July 1st, 2010
10:02 pm
If he were white, he would already be fired.
Med
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
Married men don’t go drinking with single women late at night in another city.
GT woman
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
It is a sad day for UGA.
Damon should resign so Adams does not have to fire him.
Football fan
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
I talked to a cop who is familiar with the situation. He said the woman was impeding the investigation by constantly giving lipservice and not shutting up. “Do you know who he is? You cant stop us like that!!” In a situation such as that Evans couldnt even command respect from the “hoe” in his car.
GTMatt
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
Mark:
Would you hold the same position if was driving home from downtown Athens and got busted for DUI with a borderline BAC? I really think DUI’s are getting blown out of proportion. Yes, it’s irresponsible but a .08 is probably a slight buzz, it is a country mile from being drunk.
I think the girl in the car is what tears it. I mean there is only so much you can explain. I think it looks bad for him and if he goes he just pissed away millions in lost salary for what looks to be some poon.
dan deacon
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
Did he even deserve the job to begin with? Of course not. He’s demonstrated that by his own admission of use of poor, poor judgment. His poor judgment that he makes personally carries over in his work life, where he continues to make poor judgments. UGA deserves someone that’s responsible – not a hypocrite that is a failure to his wife and children who were at home wondering where he was while he was out getting snockered with “just a friend”. Get real. He’s a loser and most likely why UGA football hasn’t gone anywhere for several years…..poor, poor judgment.
Fire his a*.s&s!!! And make it public. Disgrace him like he’s disgraced many students that he has caused to be suspended, lose a scholarship, run off campus and be disgraced in front of their friends and family. Practice what you preach boy or it will come back to haunt you every single time.
tc
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
The Bulldogs football team sucks, so let the poor guy stay and enjoy the losing season ahead of them.
YELLOW HAMMER
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
drunkyard dawgs……… now thats funny
OSCAR
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
I want to hear CMR’s explanation of this to his fans and players. THAT should be good.
Brenda
July 1st, 2010
10:03 pm
give his girlfriend credit. at least she showed fire and passion! Richt would have just in the car and let the officers beat Damon down. I wonder if Damon was just practicing for the next BLACKOUT and got confused that it is about uniforms and not actually blacking out from booze?
MS
July 1st, 2010
10:04 pm
I did my undergrad at Vandy and I have an MBA/JD from Harvard, but I still remember that I’m a black man!
KimZ'sPackage
July 1st, 2010
10:07 pm
UGA fans talking UP Vince remember he was not a UGA man. Vince was a man of CLASS from AUBURN and his son is a MAN of CLASS form UVA then uga law school. WHERE are the CLASS UGA MEN? Wait, that is Sonny P living on Paces Freey for a few more weeks until he lives HIGH on the DAWG from all his crooked land deals.
scott jaynes
July 1st, 2010
10:07 pm
i am white & i say everybody deserves a second chance. damon the dawg nation is behind you. go to bed tonight say your prays asked for forgiveness.that all you can do. your a great man make this positive. and to hell with ga tech GO DAWGS BCS BOUND!!!
Olecountrydog
July 1st, 2010
10:09 pm
Evans needs to learn to leave those white women alone. Only one option now: fire Athletic Director Damon Evans. If he was caucasian, he’d have been fired twelve hours ago.
Football fan
July 1st, 2010
10:09 pm
Hey MS, this is not a job fair. You need to book your credentials on Craig’s list!
Elmo
July 1st, 2010
10:09 pm
Yeah. The Sistah sure did look Homey. Is this what Statesboro is all about ? Hell. Think I’ll stay on 16.
Fire him for poor taste in Sistahs. You know what ? This proves that a Homey Girl can snag a Stylin’ Brother ! The Dream lives on Homey Girls !
JHillsman
July 1st, 2010
10:09 pm
Damon Evans should not be fired, should not have offered a resignation. My gosh people one DUI are you kidding me. I mean if anything it can be used as an example, a example of what happened to me. Thats whats wrong with this world, we love to build up and then tear down yet everybody does stupid things from time to time. Evan’s body of work is solid and speaks for itself. It can’t be all peaches and cream because if it is it’s a dream.
And yes directly to you Bradley. I often wonder if your DRUNK half the time when your writing your articles and not just this one. If your not that’s even more a reason for you to be fired!
Since it’s obvious that you and many others have been sitting back waiting and I mean waiting for Evans to slip up, you got you wish. NOW WATCH HOW HE TAKES YOUR WEAK BLOWS, LIKE A SOLIDER.
I call bull--
July 1st, 2010
10:09 pm
It is not illegal to drink and drive. Until lawmakers stop listening to liquor lobbyists and do the right thing, protecting ALL citizens, and make it zero tolerance, people will continue to operate under what they think is a legal limit…often under what IS a legal limit. Every single hour or every single day, people have two to a few drinks and go home…because the law tolerates drinking and driving. It does. Read it. A police officer can arrest you for suspicion, though…arrest you for .01 – .075….subjective calls. Rumor has it, people are arrested for .000…then you have an arrest record, a mugshot, possible job loss, public ridicule…you know the rest….for legal behavior. The advertisements for “DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE” do not match the law. The LAW, people. The law. Too much subjectivity while operating under an objective law. Shame on the people who are too intoxicated to drive…shame on the people who take advantage of an easy way to raise money for a governmental entity and ruin lives in the process. CHANGE THE LAW to how people are already punished — zero tolerance.
FinanceBuzz
July 1st, 2010
10:10 pm
Bush did it! Wait..wrong blog…Paul Johnson had one of the troopers who protects him do it! Tech lies and cheats (sic)! There …that fits.
KME
July 1st, 2010
10:10 pm
For those who think color has anything to do with this…think again, damnit! It is about role-playing and how this prestigious university should handle even ADs, etc. Bobby Cox hasn’t anything to do with this…but look at Charles Bannister, Commission Chairman of Gwinnett County and now Damon Evans, AD of the University of Georgia. You are in positions, setting an example for others. Damn straight, REGARDLESS OF COLOR–PEOPLE…they should be terminated.
EOS
outsider
July 1st, 2010
10:11 pm
Hey, MS what’s your background and race have to do with this subject.
Pleasing Horse's
July 1st, 2010
10:11 pm
Did the cop’s notice any other odors from the car. Was she wearing her jammies?
Top Dawg
July 1st, 2010
10:11 pm
What happens to the next football player that gets a DUI? What if this had happened before the Zach Mettenberger and Montez Robinson incidents? Granted those weren’t DUI’s, but can you imagine the hypocrisy for the next football player that gets in trouble with a DUI?
willie martinez
July 1st, 2010
10:11 pm
Damon, save us all a lot of heartache and resign.
Olecountrydog
July 1st, 2010
10:12 pm
Evans just needs to leave the white women alone.
Top Dawg
July 1st, 2010
10:12 pm
Hypocrisy for the university and Evans that is….
jordan
July 1st, 2010
10:12 pm
Billion dollars says he will eventually say he wasn’t drunk and got pulled over because he’s black in a nice car. Two billion.
C.R
July 1st, 2010
10:13 pm
He made a mistake. He got caught. He apologized. Repirmand him, but shouldnt lose job. Also,don’t make it a racial issue just b/c hes black. Get over it and Move on.
CatsFly
July 1st, 2010
10:13 pm
I hope UGa keeps him. They are a good match.
CDAWG
July 1st, 2010
10:13 pm
hmmmmm, I PROMISE if UGA would pay me $500K, I WOULD NEVER be caught drinking and driving. I would absolutely never take a chance on losing out on an income like that.
This guy is in a high profile role and he IS HELD TO A HIGHER STANDARD. Should he be burned at the cross, NO? Should he be fired or resign, yes? There are consequences to one’s actions and he knew this when he was out partying with the mystery girl. He has to go or UGA loses credibility.
Dawgfan
July 1st, 2010
10:14 pm
How in Gods name can anyone make this a race issue. The guy screwed up like we all do and there are consequences for our actions. You cant tell other men to do what you have failed at. It doesnt matter if he is black, white, green, or blue. He has done a good job, but this was a huge lack of judgement and a whole program depends on his judgement.
heywood...
July 1st, 2010
10:14 pm
so mark, i’m interested to see some of ur responses.
particularly the one about the “absent” article calling
for the resignation of bobby cox after the domestic
battery.
WHAT SAY YOU?
Pete
July 1st, 2010
10:15 pm
If he was white he would have already been fired or resigned.
skegee51
July 1st, 2010
10:15 pm
FIRE HIM AND STILL HAVE TO PAY HIM???…I SEE NO COLLEGE GRADS POSTING HERE.JUST RACISM AGAIN AT WORK…..YOU CAN PAY THE WHITE COACH 3 MILLION,BUT CAN’T PAY THE BLACK MAN 500K?? KEEP YOUR JOB AND RUN THE DEPT…YOU JUST WANT BLACK PLAYERS,BUT NOT BLACK LEADERSHIP….DIS AIN’T DA MASTERS
Damon Evans
July 1st, 2010
10:15 pm
Well, yes I was stopped by a trooper
who said I was in a stupor
but my gal was a looker
and not just a hooker
but boy, my career’s in the pooper