UGA AD Damon Evans and his DUI: It’s no laughing matter
Damon Evans' mug shot. (City of Atlanta)
We make jokes, but there’s nothing funny about a DUI. There’s especially nothing funny when the man arrested is, by job definition, a leader of young people, and when some of those young people have had alcohol-related issues of their own.
Damon Evans warrants the same legal protection as everyone else: He’s innocent until proven guilty. But men in positions of leadership are held to a standard above and beyond legality: They’re supposed to be exemplars. Just by putting himself in position to pose for an unflattering mug shot, the Georgia athletics director has thrown his stewardship into question.
Michael Adams doesn’t like a lot of things — the BCS and Vince Dooley, to name two — but mostly the president doesn’t like being embarrassed. That’s why Jim Harrick, whom Adams had both befriended and championed, was pushed out the door within a month of Tony Cole’s appearance on ESPN in 2003.
You disappoint the president at your peril, and the president cannot be pleased today. This president chose Evans to replace Dooley, which means Adams leveraged much of what political capital he had left on the promotion. This president, as we know, has crusaded against underage drinking; he surely expects better of the adults on his staff.
There can be no quibbles about Evans as AD: Even with a difficult act to follow in Dooley, he has done well. He presides over a department that mints money and fields teams of high quality. He made a difficult decision to fire Dennis Felton and found, in Mark Fox, a coach who effected an immediate upgrade. In his public statements about Mark Richt and the football program Evans has sounded the proper notes — supportive but expectant of improvement.
Alas, there are no proper notes when you’ve been hauled to jail. There’s no way to explain the incongruity of a DUI being incurred by the man who made a video — it’s screened on the Sanford Stadium message board before and during games — imploring Georgia fans not to drink and drive.
“If you drink and drive,” Evans says in the video, “you lose.” He’s about to learn how difficult it can be to win back a good reputation. Fair or not, he’s no longer the bright and brassy AD of the state’s flagship school; he’s the guy who’ll spend the next decade trying to live down one unfortunate mug shot.
UPDATE: Georgia has scheduled a news conference for 6 or 6 :30 p.m. Thursday, and esteemed colleague Chip Towers has been told Damon Evans will appear. So that’s where I’m headed.
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1,388 comments Add your comment
Disbott 3000
July 1st, 2010
1:27 pm
One too many,
Demote him to where? Make him a coach? An assistant AD to someone else whom they will have to hire? Do you think THAT AD will want him hanging around? It’s already an embarrassment, but let’s see what he has to say or what the verdict is and then go from there. I think he’s been a very good AD, but if he has done what they accuse him of, there should be no other choice but to fire him.
Athens Shrink
July 1st, 2010
1:27 pm
Yes the passenger was arrested Zoo Zoo. Misdemeanor Obst. for repeatedly asking; Why you stop him faw man?
CLEVON LITTLE
July 1st, 2010
1:27 pm
Here comes the SPIN, I am a UGA fan. Read my post. does it sound like I’m ’spinning’ anything?? Your post shows your true colors: sore loser, blind, tasteless, classless, ignorant & most of all, childish. Grow up.
Tiger's Wood
July 1st, 2010
1:28 pm
At least he didn’t injure a poor defense-less fire hydrant.
I hope his lovely wife doesn’t have access to his golf clubs!
76-Dawg
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
Good role model Damon. The only difference with this and a lot of the UGA football players getting caught is at least Damon is legal drinking age. As CMR has said ‘ THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES “. If there aren’t then you send a message to every UGA student that at UGA we have a double standard. One for adults and one for students.We are waiting Michael Adams!
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
He’s gotta go.
frank james
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
It is a sign of the times. A University sits back and lets a Michael Adams run Coach Dooley out. I still can not believe the way he was treated and nobody stood up for him other than the loyal fans that didn’t have the pull to keep him in. Loyalty means nothing anymore and Adams wanted his own man and now he has him. Just like him recommending Jim the Crook Harrick as basketball coach. If this is true about Damon Evans, who I actually liked, he along with Adams needs to be run out of town. Just like society today, nobody wants to do what is right, they want to do what is best for their own personal interests. It is a sad day for the Bulldawg Nation, if true.
Anonymous
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
JD:
Dude!
Have you SEEN his mug shot?
fishtales
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
JD…uhhh yes we do. He was CHARGED with DUI. What part of that can’t you understand?
We_Run_This_Country
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
It’s getting comical in Athens…..
Mettenberger……check!
“Christian” LeMay……check!
Damon Evans……check!
Going for the Fulmer Cup this year???? LMAO!
GT Fan
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
I hate the Dawgs but I also hate all of the do gooders on these blogs calling for him to resign or be fired. People make mistakes and I’d bet anything that there are a lot of hypocrites on this blog that have gotten behind the wheel after having a few too many…
Urban Meyer
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
Damon Evans to the officer: “But officer, you’re not drunk if you can lie on the floorboard without holding on.”
I guess the next formation the Gators are going to have to contend with involves circled wagons. Georgia football- They just makes it too easy!
McGarret
July 1st, 2010
1:29 pm
Not saying it’s ok, but I submit that even as adults, most of the folks who are throwing the heaviest stones have done just that themselves, albeit have not been caught.
Not unlike Evans’ PSAs, when someone is rallying againt something they are usually the main ones engaging in it.
Like someone who poots on a crowded elevator yet is the first to smell it.
Dawg Gone It
July 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
DUI ain’t the worst thing is it? I mean it’s not like he kilt anyone. Leave him be. Jeez!
YJ
July 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
Mark – Perhaps Evans was feeling down after reading your glowing article on DRad…
GT Fan
July 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
Any news on Lemay? Something tells me that story isn’t as its been reported in these blogs.. Sure is taking a long time.
chazzo
July 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
That kind of salary and not enough cents or sense to call a cab? WTF????
Urban Meyer
July 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
And dont’ forget, tripple points in the Fulmer Cup for a DUI AD.
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
1:30 pm
Uh, JD, take a gander at his mug shot!!
My Friend Samuel Adams
July 1st, 2010
1:31 pm
Yes recruiting hurt
Image of UGA now without question is tarnished
If Evans isnt fired or doesnt step down then how will UGA get over this image
Adams its time to retire and become a distant memory yourself
Big D Dawg
July 1st, 2010
1:31 pm
You failed to mention that there was a 3rd party (female) also arrested with him. What was he doing in the ATL with a woman, not his wife?
Meller
July 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
was the woman in the car CPJ ? hey its a fair question
Tweets that mention UGA AD Damon Evans and his DUI: It's no laughing matter | Mark Bradley -- Topsy.com
July 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Mark Bradley and Melissa Gray. Melissa Gray said: that IS quite an unfortunate mug shot, I must agree: http://bit.ly/clc3×1 [...]
sad brotha
July 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
“The higher you go… the higher the standards.” Fire him and to hell with the NAACP!
Urban Meyer
July 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
Excuse Me, where are all the Bulldog fans that were heaping stones at Florida last year, I CANT HEAR YOU? And what about LeMay and the “Wet Dream Team?”
Damon Evans
July 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
Man yall need to shutup. I’m up in here 4ever. you can’t get rid of me, you know this? dont make me go get the attorney general eric holder to get these charges dropped. i’ll do it! the black panthers can hold billy clubs at voting booths and threaten white folks and I can get a DUI and walk away without even paying bond. get used to it
Dave in Senoia
July 1st, 2010
1:32 pm
Hello… time to wake up and clean house at UGAy. Fire everyone from Micael Adams down to Mark Richt. And fire that imbecile Fox too.
It will be a breath of fresh air to have these jerks gone. Long gone!
Football Bat
July 1st, 2010
1:33 pm
Geez Doug Dog, taking it kind of hard aren’t ye? Thousands of DUIs a day, and this time no one got hurt, and perhaps b/c of it, he won’t drive drunk again. Our football games will be won on the field, and this won’t add up to squat. Put your UGA flag back up and have a beer already. I got a good LOL when I saw the headline…Evans is an ass and maybe we’ll get some new blood that can rock.
Wow
July 1st, 2010
1:33 pm
You make that kind of money and are still too stupid or lazy to call a cab or a friend. Gets what he deserves and it is not the 20k bonus money.
Jeremy
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
From a Tech fan- no reason to pound UGA on this one- these guys are making a very strong living on the backs of loyal alums and 19 year old athletes- should be held to a very high standards. If this didn’t happen and USC called Evans tomorrow to be there AD he would be gone. Show the same (dis) loyalty.
Terry Tate, Office Linebacker
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
Dang Damon! If you kill the booze, don’t choose to cruise. DUI? Mysterious passenger? Now you gonna pay homey!
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
Now on ESPN and Fox Sports. Man, he’s gotta go…
My Friend Samuel Adams
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
Its time to run stadium steps Damon you too Adams
When your done how about both of you resign
frank james
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
Urban Meyer – You just keep drinking plenty of fluids because we all know when the going gets tough you start symptoms of dehyrating and having to go to the hospital and you want all the attention. You couldn’t handle the whipping Alabama put on you. I wonder what attention seeker prank you will pull this year.
Me
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
This is really a shame. And he was ranked the 64th best A.D. too!
Noneya
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
OK….as a Jacket fan I really really want to laugh…..but I won’t.
UGA is allegedly an educational institution, so either fire the guy or use this as perhaps the ONLY educational moment a UGA student might receive. I’m thinking revise the pre-game announcement to feature this mugshot and a contrite message from Mr. Evans about drinking and driving. A real I don’t care who you are…don’t do it or suffer the consequences message. And I’d expect him to donate at least $100k of that annual salary to a charity like MADD. Be a man….take your shots and do something useful with the situation.
indentured servant
July 1st, 2010
1:34 pm
It’s too bad Johnny Cochran passed away.
He could get Evans off of this rap, just like he got O.J. off of that bum rap in Ca.
Maybe Johnny taught all of his disciples at his law firm enough, to do the same for Evans.
Gwinnett Chairman
July 1st, 2010
1:35 pm
Turn in your school car and then take a trip to China til things cool off. You’ll be fine.
Damon's Ladies
July 1st, 2010
1:35 pm
Who were the women Damon’s leaving the club with? Not his wife??? Uh-oh! Damon—better get yo woman a big diamond ring like Kobe did after he got caught with another chick.
DAWG07
July 1st, 2010
1:35 pm
Since he is the ultimate exzmple for the young mem and women who play for UGA he should be dismissed or maybe a lighter sentence os 50% reduced pay as long as not additional incidents for as long as he is employed at UGA. Otherwise lets give players a free ride.
Current times DUIs are extremely serious for anyone and 100 times more is expected for coaches and ADs.
BrizDawg
July 1st, 2010
1:35 pm
This incident combined with another disappointing finish in the Directors’ Cup does not bode well for Mr. Evans’ immediate future at UGA. It doesn’t really matter if he is convicted or not, because the fact that he had to refuse the breathalyzer tells us he put himself in a compromising position he should NEVER be in. We can’t have the leader of our student athletes, who are faced with the temptation of underage and excessive drinking, set a poor example in this area. We expect a lot from our athletes, and we expect even more from the people in charge of them. President Adams’ decision about his AD’s future will be complicated all the more by his race, considering there are not many black ADs to begin with, and any decision regarding a minority in an executive position requires extra scrutiny because it receives extra attention from the media. I hope that Mr. Evans will do the right thing and tender his resignation, but in the meantime President Adams needs to take his time and go through due diligence before finally letting Mr. Evans go. We do expect an apology, and there is forgiveness of sins, but there are also natural consequences for our sins we must live with no matter how repentant we are.
Mr. Evans, we thank you for your service to our school, but the best thing you can do for both yourself and the University of Georgia right now is to step down so that we can put this behind us and look forward.
WonderDawg
July 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
Rumors are, Meller, the woman had 46DDs. It coulda been CPJ!
gadawgs
July 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
Damon, have the decency to resign today. You can no longer do your job. You cannot LEAD when you have NO respect. How could you ever discipline anyone (alcohol related) associated with the athletics program ever again. You sir are a hypocrite and if you love your school you will do the right thing and just go away. Sooner the better!
renegade#1
July 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
Wow did you see that mug shot what was he drinking sterno?
Grandpa Right
July 1st, 2010
1:36 pm
I am an acquaintance of Damon’s and like him a lot, but Adams has no choice but to terminate him. It is a sad, sad day. What was he thinking?!?!?!?
Herbie HamHocks
July 1st, 2010
1:37 pm
Gov. Perdue is such a red-neck goober. he stacks the Board of regents with Leebern and the other alcohol peddlers and then his buddy Adams accepts hugh donations from these sleazebags to turn his back and allow them to deliver their poison to downtown Athens and underage children. they think they are these slick businessmen,. What a group. What a state.
HugoStiglitz
July 1st, 2010
1:37 pm
GT Fan, you have to be kidding me. This guy was part of a video message at all the UGA games telling everyone not to drink and drive. He was also the leader of the entire athletics department. UGA pretty much has to get rid of him or force him to resign. I cant imagine anybody supporting this guy sticking around after this.
Qujon
July 1st, 2010
1:37 pm
Evans’ new five-year contract starts today. He is scheduled to get a $110,000 raise to $550,000 annually, with additional $20,000 raises each subsequent year.
What an idiot.
Damon Evans
July 1st, 2010
1:37 pm
I still get my bonus, right?
Here we go
July 1st, 2010
1:38 pm
All the redneck Georgia fans are coming out of the woodwork now – they’ve been waiting on something like this to get “him” out of there as AD. Truth is there are tons of Bulldog fans that don’t like “him” being the AD, if you know what I mean…