Damon Evans is why Dogs will land top coach
I’m not surprised really about the number and tone of the e-mails I received in response to my story on what coaches Georgia might be targeting for their men’s basketball job.
They essentially ranged from, “what are you, crazy or stupid?,” to, “why in the world would [insert coach's name] want to leave [insert school's name] to come to Georgia?” The sad part, some such messages were even from some Georgia fans. Columnists and “college hoops experts” remain intensely cynical about the Bulldogs’ prospects.
It is just these types of reactions that gets Damon Evans out of bed early in the morning. It makes him mad. It motivates him.
I’ve explained this before but let me run over it again. Evans is a basketball guy. He was MVP of his team his senior year at Gainesville High. He played intramural and pickup ball all the way through college into his current tenure as athletics director. He’s the reason there’s a $30 million practice facility attached to Stegeman Coliseum. Building a winning basketball program at Georgia is his passion and, the success or failure therein, will ultimately be his legacy as AD.
You can gather as much from his words but you can see it even more in his eyes and hear it in his voice when he talks about it.
“The commitment here is strong,” he told me the other day. “It’s hard for me to describe how strong that is other than to say we’re serious about building a winning basketball program at Georgia. We’ve got to do this and we’re going to do this right. We’re willing to do what it takes.”
Nevertheless, people still scoff when names like Jeff Capel and Mike Anderson and Dino Gaudio and Jamie Dixon are bandied about. “Why would they leave there for here?,” they say with a roll of the eyes.
Here’s why: Evans oversees a $190 million enterprise at Georgia. It’s one of the most successful athletic departments in the country, both competitively and business-wise. The Bulldogs are cutting edge and young in terms of sports administration. Georgia is about to unveil a blockbuster marketing and media deal with ISP sports and it is Evans who is brokering it. Evans, 39, was named one of Sports Illustrated’s “101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports” and one of the “40 Under 40″ best sports executives by Sports Business Journal. He’s a businessman recognized by UGA’s Terry College of Business as “Outstanding Young Alumnus.”
So, to be clear, after Parker Executive Search handles the preliminary ground work on the coaching search, it is Evans that is going to be front and center before these candidates. He’s going to tell them why he wants them to come work for him at Georgia. He is prepared to reach into the Bulldogs’ $60 million budget surplus to pay what it takes for a major coach but that’s not the clincher. He’s going to pledge every bit of support at his disposal to change the basketball culture at Georgia.
So go ahead and scoff. Evans needs some more motivation.
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84 comments Add your comment
some sense
March 9th, 2009
11:18 am
BUT…Mr. Evans has got to realize that he’s got a dog coliseum. Nobody wants to play in the same building where livestock shows take place. Gymnasts, o. k.; ball players…NO WAY.
Football Ken
March 9th, 2009
11:23 am
Chip,
You are right on with this article. Knowing Evans personally, it IS his passion to make UGA b-ball a “power”. I have been telling friends, this hire is going to shock people. I believe that DE does think this hire will define his legacy as AD at UGA. Here are some names I KNOW he likes, Few (Gonzaga), Miller (Xavier) and don’t be surprised…J.Thompson (Georgetown).
CurlyHeadedDevil
March 9th, 2009
11:31 am
I agree with your assessment of Evans because he has done a good job so far and appears to know what he is doing in this pursuit.
However, you lost a lot of credibility with me in your last article about Mike Bobo’s being a “rising star” in the coaching profession. Perhaps Bobo would be highly sought after as a high school assistant but not in a top rated college program.
YoungDawg
March 9th, 2009
11:31 am
It’s going to take more than all that! In order for the next coach to be able to sell UGA Basketball Evan will also have to present a plan for getting the Steageasouris replaced or renovated within the next 5 years! The renovations to Sanford & the Indoor Practice Facility need to begin in this time frame as well. Its time for Damon to start backing up his words!
Diamond Dave
March 9th, 2009
11:35 am
There are no longer livestock shows in the Coliseum and hasn’t been for several years.
NewJersey
March 9th, 2009
11:37 am
Silly to think that UGA will EVER be able to hire a proven coach for the long haul. This program is at the absolute best is a mid-tier SEC team. Sure they may get a young coach that has some success early, but then he will bolt for something better.Mark Few was maybe the top choice for Tennessee. He declined a 20,000 seat arena, a huge upgrade/facelift to said arena,a brand new practice facility that was in the works,and an athletic department that is much like UGA in that it is one of a few in the country that operates in the black.Tennessee had to settle for Bruce Pearl.Why would Mark Few come to Athens? What would entice him to go all the way across the country to work in a rogram with the histpry( or lack thereof) at UGA? I don’t see him, nor anytone comparable to him doing that.Sure they may get someone that is close to that, but it would onl be short term while he builds his resume.
Yea Right
March 9th, 2009
11:40 am
If you think UGA is going to hire a proven high caliber coach, then you are very much like that infamous Atlanta rapper….”Ludicrous”
BAMA STAN
March 9th, 2009
11:42 am
UGA will be a regional football power – always top 5 in the SEC – and on occasion – top 3 SEC. Although this decade has been the most fruitful in terms of winning % – still no National Titles.
UGA will not be a basketball power on a national scale. Will be hard to push away DUKE, UNC, UCLA, etc. But UGA can and should make it to the BIG DANCE every year.
ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL TIDE!!!!!
Chip Towers
March 9th, 2009
11:49 am
Some sense: When is the last time you were in Stegeman Coliseum, 1985? YoungDawg: The Coliseum has been renovated to the nines.
There is nothing wrong with the arena Georgia’s plays in. I figured it out and wrote a story about it one time but UGA has put millions and millions into that facility to the point that it’s as good or better than most. It has a brand-new floor, brand-new seats, a brand-new state of the art scoreboard and jumbotron. Plans are already underway to expand the concourses and renovated the bathrooms. Otherwise, there’s nothing inside that building to prevent the Bulldogs from winning. If the arena you played in was that important Duke would stink. Arkansas hasn’t won big since it opened Bud Walton Arena. Spending $150 million for a new building isn’t going to guarantee a winning program. . . .
CurlyHeadedDevil: Bobo is clearly the star of the staff according to his boss, Mark Richt, who continually heaps responsibility and rewards on him. I’d say he’s a little better than high school assistant material.
Slim Pickens
March 9th, 2009
11:53 am
Mr. Evans, please pass the Kool Aid!
AGSDawg
March 9th, 2009
11:56 am
Although I would hate to see him leave my hometown school, has anyone heard of Dip Metress at Augusta State. This man has done somewonderful things with the ASU B-ball team in the few short years he has been here. Just my $.02
bdr2757
March 9th, 2009
12:00 pm
chip, you are exactly right. the arena does not matter, especially with all of those upgrades that have been made. it might help sell the program to some recruits, but the place they play in shouldn’t be tops on the list. duke’s arena is old as dirt. the head coach and other recuriters should be what brings a player in. evans will do a good job hiring a talented coach, and i definitely want to see them win soon.
Dawg Alum
March 9th, 2009
12:13 pm
Hope we get a good one!
Cuz
March 9th, 2009
12:16 pm
Bamastan, you sure like throwing kerosene on a burning fire.
UGA'er
March 9th, 2009
12:23 pm
I don’t like it when people from the Univeristy of Florida At Gainsville (UFAG) post negative things about UGA.
ValdostaMike
March 9th, 2009
12:30 pm
Nice article, Chip. I have great confidence AD Evans will get the right person. In your “here’s why” response I believe you left out a few key reasons of note; the in state basketball talent and the SEC TV deal.
I agree with your response regarding Stegman. The renovations have been great and are continuing.
Any young coach can see what UGA did for Tubby. This time, we will be able to keep the next Tubby.
Tom
March 9th, 2009
12:36 pm
One of the many limitations Damon will have to fight is the vetting the candidate will have to pass. Some of the names I’ve seen floated (not just here) would never pass muster, not after receiving an NCAA Infractions Report that included academic fraud and unethical conduct, resulting not only in yet another probation for the University (6th?), but having to vacate quite a number of games.
Ron Roberts
March 9th, 2009
12:37 pm
SO glad you answered the Stegman posts, Chip. I get so sick of reading people bash the Coliseum; they’ve spent (adjoining practice facility included) PLENTY to make it a top-tier facility. Mot people who gripe about it haven’t seen it for themselves (aside from the occasional televised game) in years.
If you need a “building” to make your program a winner, then you’re fooling yourself. LSU just “renovated” the Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge (not a new arena) and here they are, ho-hum, rebounding from their ‘Final Four to the basement’ run of Coach Brady, and they’re back on top of the conference. Tennessee didn’t need a new building; they face-lifted the place – and their program seems to be doing fine.
Duke wins with a far-worse building than what we have; I dare say Florida’s building isn’t all that special, but it DOES house two very recent national championship trophies. And as Chip noted, Arkansas’ new facility hasn’t done squat for their program.
The master plan (I think there’s still a link at OnlineAthens.com) calls for a FANTASTIC concourse and outer renovation of Stegman, as well. But real FANS would show up and pack a barn for a winning program.
Captain
March 9th, 2009
12:37 pm
It just tickles me to death to read the “Anti Univ of Georgia” posts from you people, I love your opinions regarding the Men’s basketball program and our future head coach. Keep selling Damon short boys.
Players aren’t really concerned about the seats we fans have, nor the concessions, or restrooms. You see we have the best ‘digs’ in the country with the practice facility. Player’s lockerrooms, lounge area, training and workout facility are state of the art; coaches offices, meeting rooms are the best. When it comes to facilities, Stegeman isn’t an issue. If a great facility was the make or break on success, Duke wouldn’t be in the Top 100 and N C St would never lose.
To you, “some sense” you evidently don’t have “any sense”. Livestock shows haven’t taken place in Stegeman Coliseum for some time. If that’s supposed to be a problem, pray tell how Philips Arena fares for the Hawks and Thrashers with a Circus playing for 10 days, or how the Dome can accomodate the Falcons after a Moto-cross, or Reliant Field in Houston after Wrestlemania? They are called “MULTI PURPOSE” facilities for a reason.
Do not discount Damon Evans in his quest to bring in a great young coach. He is going to do it, so all of you “Anti Univ of Georgia” folks go ahead today, get your prescriptions filled for your anxiety and depression medication, stock up on the Advil, Tylenol and aspirin, because you ain’t going to be happy and the migraines will set the day Damon holds the press conference to announce our new man. Oh, it’s going to happen, he’s going big time, you can count on it, be prepared for a “name” hire who will take the Men’s basketball program from the basement to the penthouse.
jonatuga
March 9th, 2009
12:38 pm
Chip,
As a former manager for the team and someone who is still close to the program, great article! This is exactly the argument I have been trying to make, although much less eloquently, since before “big daddy” was fired. By the way, great to see you saturday and I can’t wait for ya’ll to start covering the road games again next year!
mexdawg
March 9th, 2009
12:42 pm
I say go after Tubby Smith.He’s the only guy that’s proven he can win at Georgia.I agree with several of the other bloggers that if we get a good young coach he will stay for awile and then leave.Tubby has already been down that road.He would probally finish his career at GEORGIA.He know’s the confrence and still has recruiting contacts in Georgia.There is no other coach better qualified to coach at GEORGIA.Damon is a smart guy and will make the right decision.
Lew Hege
March 9th, 2009
12:43 pm
As Duke and N. C. State have proven, the age or size of the building is not important. N. C. State has the best arena in college basketball. Duke has an old, small place. Great players will come to play for a great coach.
tackjr
March 9th, 2009
12:44 pm
Bobby Knight is the only coach that can do anything with our program…
Lake Oconee Dawg
March 9th, 2009
12:56 pm
Enter your comments here
newdirectionnow
March 9th, 2009
12:57 pm
how about finding a new basketball coach for GT too while your at it
jp
March 9th, 2009
12:58 pm
IF he wants to make the best hire possible than he has to go to Memphis and hire John Calipari. The guys is the best recruiter in the nation bar none. He can also get his players to win and play hard. The only restraint might be the money DE wants to spend. John has to be tired of not getting any love at Memphis. With the same recruits he has had over the years at UGA, he would be a instant legend in the state.
RAMBLE ON!!!
March 9th, 2009
12:59 pm
in other words, no one wants the lousy job.
Lake Oconee Dawg
March 9th, 2009
12:59 pm
UGA is headed in the right direction with Mr. Evans leading the athletic program. I am glad to see he is taking his time to hire the right coach for a very inportant position. Coach Knight could have been the “one” to turn the program around and put thing straight around the b-ball program.
Tom
March 9th, 2009
1:00 pm
jp, Calipari makes Bob Huggins look honest.
WTF???
March 9th, 2009
1:00 pm
Bama Stan, Go on the Bama blogs & talk about fat ba#tard Fluker or something. Hell, go see how many sprints you can run across I20 before you get ran over.
Huh?
March 9th, 2009
1:03 pm
It’s boring in here. I hate Tech. It’s all I can ever think about all day every day. I’m going over to their blog to talk trash. Anyone want to join me?
BAMA STAN
March 9th, 2009
1:08 pm
JP – I agree that John Calipari would be a great hire. I only hope that we hire him in Tuscaloosa.
Memphis is a pretty darn good basketball school – it’s in their DNA. and Calapari has been an excellent fit there. Maybe hard to get him out of there at this point in his career.
Too Easy
March 9th, 2009
1:11 pm
Afbamastan + Ramble = case of the runs.
Gen Neyland
March 9th, 2009
1:22 pm
BAMA STAN : Great percentage shot at the buzzer yesterday. Dang thing musta had eyes… On to the SEC Tournament.
Cameron
March 9th, 2009
1:27 pm
Why would a top coach at another school want to leave and come to UGA? A couple simple reasons: Randolph Morris, Gani Lawal, Al-Farouq Aminu, Chris Allen, Louis WIlliams, Mike Mercer, Howard Thompkins, Jarvaris Crittenton, Jodie Meeks, Josh Smith, J.J. Hickson, and Dwight Howard. All from Georgia. Get the top talent in Georgia to stay at UGA and you will compete for National Championships. Tradition is not on our side, but kids will come for the right coach. Kids these days want to win and go to the NBA. They can do this anywhere. They do not have to go to UNC, Duke, Kentucky, or Kansas. They will play for a top coach no matter where he is at and will want to win.
NYC DAWG
March 9th, 2009
1:28 pm
I hope DE can attract some top quality. Before they think about renovations to Stegman, maybe they should put students behind the visiting team’s basket during the 2nd half instead of sports writers. I guess they’re too afraid of students rushing the court, but c’mon Georgia fans are probably the least likely to rush the court/field out of anyone in the SEC! Get the students in there to give our team support rather than sports writers who just sit there the whole time not making any noise!
thom
March 9th, 2009
1:31 pm
Whoever he hires will be better than the last “coach”.
Cameron
March 9th, 2009
1:31 pm
We are not going to hire Tubby Smith and we will not hire Bobby Knight. Nor, should we. We need to hire a good young coach and let him realize that he can and will win here. Then, there is no guarantee he will leave. If he does, then there will be others in line that will want to come here as well once they see you can win here. Any time we have brought in a good coach he has won. Tubby and Harrick both won. Insert Harrick joke here.
BLAZER
March 9th, 2009
1:32 pm
WHERE IS RON JIRSA??
tom
March 9th, 2009
1:32 pm
Only way to go is up!
dawgfan1911
March 9th, 2009
1:37 pm
I think Mark Few from Ganzaga or Miller from Xavier would be perfect for the bulldawgs. These guys can recruit and something tells me that Mark Few is ready to enter a big time conference like the SEC used to be and make a name for himself. The hire will probably be made near final four time when coaches have been eliminated. I am not sure what his name is but Creighton’s coach would also be a good choice. Not sure if he is an effective recruiter, but the guy can flat out coach, he turned down Arkansas a few years ago, if offered, I wonder if he would take the Ga job.
PHIL
March 9th, 2009
1:49 pm
The players at Memphis can’t get into school here, jp.
AltamahaDawg
March 9th, 2009
1:50 pm
The gators seem to do pretty well playing in a air bag, built 20 yrs ago for a fraction of what the UGA practice building cost.
JB
March 9th, 2009
1:51 pm
If we win, the masses will come. It’s really just that simple.
Think about how that place was when Tubby was winning.
The talent in the state of Ga is there, it’s just a question of getting a guy in there who is good at what he does.
If we belly up with the cash, and I think we will, we’ll become a two sport school and there’s no real question in my mind. I look forward to that.
HBTD!!!!
Ben
March 9th, 2009
1:55 pm
Wow. How delusional can a fan base be? The University of Georgia’s current RPI is 188. The program is going no where. You are a mid-major playing in the 6th best conference in the country.
How about teams like Rutgers, San Jose State and Jackson State have better RPI numbers than you?
The building may be a hindrance to some but the interest is just not there.
Georgia State will continue to ascend under Rod Barnes and Hewitt will once again save his job with a NCAA birth in 2009-10. Where will Georgia be? 14 wins?
Go get a guy like Anthony Grant, Bret Campbell or Cliff Warren. You’ll be glad you did.
AceDawg
March 9th, 2009
1:55 pm
UGA can make a winning program, but the fans sure do need to step up at the same time. I’d go to UGA basketball games if only I didn’t live 10 hours away. I know winning helps, as was shown by sold out crowds during the height of the Herrick era, but the Dawgs shouldn’t have to play in front of smaller crowds in college than they did in high school!! A great crowd helps many teams win extra games each year. Help them out Dawgs!
jp
March 9th, 2009
1:55 pm
i don’t know if you know this phil but athletes don’t have the same entrance requirements. The other thing is we hire calipari to lock down the state. The players in this state usually meet the requirements to get in such as Al Farouq and Tony Woods last year. We have the players in the state to win a national title but the question is can we get them to come here. The problem has always been recruiting for this school and calipari solves that problem. He’s def dirty but we have to stipulate in his contract that if he cheats than he owes us a ton of money or something like that.
JB
March 9th, 2009
2:00 pm
http://gruberton.myminicity.com/
Music City Dawg
March 9th, 2009
2:03 pm
Chip,
The Diamond Dogs are off to a historical start, and it’s crickets from the AJC. Why are we still talking about the terrible basketball team?
Chip Towers
March 9th, 2009
2:04 pm
By the way, it was just released that Georgia is now ranked No. 1 in this week’s Collegiate Baseball poll. The Diamond Dogs are, of course, 12-0, heading into a two-game set with Lemoyne College.
BLAZER
March 9th, 2009
2:12 pm
HIRE A COACH WHO CHEATS-GET HARRICK BACK
CalDogg
March 9th, 2009
2:32 pm
Wow. I[’m amazed at the level of inside knowledge and info on this blog. People even know the academic background of every player on the Memphis basketball team. I admit, that’s a pretty informed fan (sarcasm intended). Comments about livestock shows in the coliseum, where they haven’t been in years. Really impressive.
As for the building, I love the comment that its’ OK for women’s gymnastics but not basketball. The same women’s gymnastics team that has won four CONSECUTIVE national titles and that sits astride the world of college gymnastics. The UGA coliseum is the pinnacle of that world and a place loved by GymDogs and feared by all others. To suggest that a basketball team can’t win in the same space is, quite simply, ignorant.
No wonder Tech fans (some of my friends among them) love to make fun of UGA grads as dumbbells; do we have to keep giving them so much ammo?
Capilari’s “def dirty” but we should get him anyway and make him promise not to “cheat?” Which means Memphis knows he’s “def dirty” but doesn’t care if he “cheats.” And I suppose the NCAA doesn’t care either, so long as he’s at Memphis but would if he came to UGA? Where does this manure come from, really? I thought this was about basketball and Damon Evans’ commitment to the program.
I thought the points made about him and the program were well taken. I don’t love the guy, to be honest. I’m one of those nuts who think Bobby Knight is exactly what UGA needs and I think DE’s a bit over impressed with his business degree (thus, the hire a search firm approach to hiring a coach — does he not know who he likes as a coach already — isn’t he an athletic director who loves and, I assume, follows basketball)? But, the points were well made and I wish him luck.
A final point on the “nobody worth a damn will EVER come to UGA” mantra — which is total horse foddle (no, I don’t know what that is but you get the idea), I’ll bring up Bobby Knight again. I know we’re not going to hire him (honestly don’t think Damon Evans has enough “weight” from a personal standpoint to deal with some one at Knight’s level — or that he’d want someone of Knight’s stature working “for” him), for whatever reason.
But, when you listen to the range of analysts (not at the AJC, or course, but everywhere else) including Dick Vitale, who we all love to love/hate, who talk about how UGA should hire him in a heartbeat and how he would instantly put UGA on the national basketball map, the winning-est coach in NCAA history and one of the greatest, if not the greatest, teacher of the game that the college game has ever seen (I’d say that’s hard to prove, considering Wooden and Dean Smith, Rupp, that guy at Duke with the funny name, but he’s certainly up there, especially on the defensive end of the floor), the never mention that it’s pointless because UGA’s a backwater or because the coliseum’s not up to snuff.
Ah, whatever. We’ll see what Evans pulls out of his (hat) and how the super secret search firm scoops the world. I’d probably make a top 10 + top 5 list and start making offers to the best coaches (my opinion, or Evans’ in his case) and see what happens. I, for one, think the search firm thing is too sanitary, too corporate, too cerebral (kind of like Mark Richt, but let’s not start that discussion, ha) for an AD who knows what he/she is doing.
I’d probably find out if Suzanne Youclan knows anything about basketball; I hear she’s retiring. And she has no problem at all winning national titles in the (dump) coliseum.
Karl
March 9th, 2009
2:33 pm
I like french fried potaters….
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm…..
SuwaneeDawg
March 9th, 2009
2:34 pm
Chip – thanks for pointing out that the Stegasaurus is not the barn, literally, that it used to be. When I was at UGA from ‘90-’94 it was a pit. It may still not be the nice, shiny $150 million jewel of the campus but there’s very little wrong with that place now.
As for winning – there is no reason why UGA can’t win consistently. Look what Tubby did in just 2 years. We were a last second prayer from John Wallace from the elite eight. The Steg was full on most nights and excitement was, obviously, high. They’re a consistent winner waiting to happen. If it can happen to Florida, why not UGA? It’s almost the same situation. They had no basketball tradition except for one Final Four before Billy D. got there, now look at them.
Personally, I like Anthony Grant. My only concern is that he would pull a Tubby and leave for UF when Billy decides to move on. However, with an AD who will place an emphasis on b-ball, I’m ok with that risk. I know this is a basketball school but UGA has shown that it wants a basketball winner as well and will turn out for it. To echo several others, it will just take the right guy.
SuwaneeDawg
March 9th, 2009
2:39 pm
OK, before my computer blows up from the outrage – I meant to say, “I know this is a football school but…”
Just thought I would head that one off at the pass.
RichieDawg
March 9th, 2009
2:53 pm
Here’s another good reason the UGA coaching job is desirable, the Atlanta area is one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the nation. If you just got the top recruits out of Cobb and Gwinnett, the team would be top 10 every year with a good coach. It’s a travesty that UGA and Tech are not competing for the conference championships every year.
GeorgiaDuck
March 9th, 2009
3:00 pm
There’s a rodeo every year at the AT&T arena in San Antonio. That never seemed to hurt the Spurs.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 9th, 2009
3:03 pm
One day it will become known as “The Historic Stegman Coliseum” in beautiful Athens, Georgia. It isn’t that bad people. And as I have said on here many times before… the arena doesn’t make the team a winner. Ford Field is one of the nicest facilities in the country …..
Tom
March 9th, 2009
3:16 pm
Music City & Chip…..
It will be interesting to see if the baseball team can maintain this momentum into the conference season. 12-0 is nice (and the road sweep of AZ is impressive), but sweeps of #183-RPI YSU, #152 Presbo and #257 Quinnipiac aren’t exactly shocking (although #171 LeMoyne will be a step up, I guess).
Sweep LeMoyne and maybe undefeated UGA’s RPI will get up and out of the 40’s.
Right On Time
March 9th, 2009
3:17 pm
I was at the Stegasaurus Saturday and it is not bad. The consessions could use some improvement, other than that the only complaint was the play of the good guys. That place can also can get loud. No reason to blame the facilities.
My family and I also walked over and caught the baseball game. The Dawgs are looking pretty good. Can’t wait to get to the “meat” of the schedule.
Man, I love Athens.
HH
March 9th, 2009
3:53 pm
Hey Towers: If Bobo is such hot property, why has he not been approached like the ex-UGA boy who is now coach-in-waiting at Texas. He and Bobo are about the same age, roughly speaking. Take a look at Kiffin. Again about the same age. His record certainly leaves a lot to be desired, but UT took a chance on him, perhaps because of daddy. Maybe Richt just plain likes Bobo, just like Willie. Having been around the block once or twice, I know that makes a Hell of a difference.
gdawginkalamazoo
March 9th, 2009
3:58 pm
HH, not to defend Bobo but he has only been an OC for what two years? AND last year, and I may be mistaken, but didn’t Georgia lead the SEC in most of categories on the offense production? And I agree with your next statement before you even make it, except the Bama and UF games. Of course the defense didn’t show up in either of those games along with the Tech game.
Chip or anyone else, is this Evans first crack at hiring a basketball coach as AD? I can’t remember if he was in on the Felton hire or not. I don’t think he was as AD.
Bubbadawg
March 9th, 2009
4:25 pm
Great article Chip, but I hope DE doesn’t wait too long to hire the new coach. Will be competing with KY after their SEC tourney loss.
Music City Dawg
March 9th, 2009
4:47 pm
Tom,
I agree. I’m just excited about their early success and hope we get another shot at the World Series. It’s more likely we’ll rope in a title win in baseball rather than in football.
hop
March 9th, 2009
4:59 pm
chip, only you of all people would make that statement about mr. evans.
how soon we forget, the foundation that coach vince dooly laid for mr. evans is the reason the program is where it is today.
he has yet to prove his metal,since he has not hired a major sports coach yet,but his handprints will be all over this one.
his handling of mark richt and felton last year were not high points in his career.
maybe, he needs to be more flexiable with coach richt then he currently is now, in handling the football program.
mr.evans likes to project his authority over the football program when georgia has a very capable coach who needs to be left along.
Jeff Grady
March 9th, 2009
5:51 pm
SEC fans are dillusional. They always think bigger and louder is better. When they discuss football and basketball arenas they always claim “this facility” is the best because it it the largest, or the loudest. Ever been to Cameron (Duke) for BB, or Kenan (UNC) for football. Duke is arguably the greatest venue for BB, and Kenan is often cited as the the most beautiful stadium in the country for watching football. Big and loud does not equate to class, and it is “class” that will draw the big-time BB coach, unless you are willing to accept another “snake-oil salesman”.
Upstate Dawg
March 9th, 2009
6:04 pm
Right you are, AceDawg. I’ve been a season ticket holder for over 20 years and live in SC. The arena itself is fine. The problem is the FANS. Why would a great player (or coach for that matter) want to come to Athens with such pathetic support? What was the reward the team had for beating UK in Rupp Arena for the fourth time in school history? Playing before thousands of empty seats–including the student section. I am a loyal UGA grad but the support for the basketball program is absolutely embarrassing.
Now, I’m off to Tampa to see if miracles still happen in March…
Ole Dawg
March 9th, 2009
6:54 pm
Bama Stain…yea that’s right Stain! You are a stain in the underwear of life! I laugh everytime you post something because your ignorance always comes through. Your football program will be in decline this year.You have no quarterback with any experience….no running back that’s worth a crap, rumor has it that Julio Jones is about ready to flunk out of school and you lost two of your best coaches.Bama”s program is backing up and will lose three maybe four games…Ole Miss & LSU will definitely beat you. Also, Kirby Smart is rumored to be ready to join his buddy at Texas next year. When that happens Bama will be looking up at LSU,Ole Miss and Arkansas in the west division. Count on it!
Jeff Grady
March 9th, 2009
6:56 pm
KU stole Tubby from UGA, so why can’t UGA go after Jeff Lebo. Lebo played and interned under Dean Smith. His father was one of the greatest-ever high school coaches. Moreover, Lebo got a Div I job very early in his career. He is the best BB coach in the SEC.
shane#1
March 9th, 2009
7:32 pm
The biggest problems with the UGA bball program may be ignorance and apathy. Then again, I don’t know and I don’t care. I am a casual college bball fan at best, so I don’t know anything about these coaches. I will not watch Gonzaga or somerbody like that play anyway. I know Roy Williams, Coach K, Donovan, and Bruce Pearl, but I assume they aren’t on the table. Bobby Knight would attract My intrest, as would that young coach at Wake Forest, but, other than that, the basketball team needs to WIN to catch my attention. I am glad Evans is working so hard to build up the bball program, but let’s not forget that football pays the bills and build CMR that indoor practice facility that he has been wanting. CMR was very frustrated in 2007 when he had to cancel several pratices due to lightning while he was trying to break three true freshman O linemen into the rotation.
Chip Towers
March 9th, 2009
9:01 pm
HH: As I wrote regarding Bobo, his pay has increased 350 percent over the last five years, as has his responsibility. He has risen to the No. 2 or 3 guy on a staff that has won 10 or more games and among the national Top 10 in six of the last eight years. Trust me, the only way you hear about a guy talking with another program about a position is because that coach wants it out there. Why would Bobo want to leave? . . .
gdawgkalimazoo: Yes, this is DE’s first major hire. However, he oversaw hoops under Dooley and was intimately involved with the search process that resulted in Felton’s hire. . . .
Hop: That’s “mettle,” not “metal,” and you’re right, we don’t know yet how this will reflect on him. But I don’t agree with you on his “handling” of Felton and CMR. He was gonna fire Felton then he won the SEC tourney. Would you have had him fire Felton anyway? And he loves Richt but his desire for Georgia football is to change the tide of the Florida series and win a national championship. He has given CMR most everything he asks but he has to maintain some room to grow upward. . . .
UpstateDawg: To be fair about the poor attendance and atmosphere for Georgia’s last home game, the Bulldogs were the victims of a triple whammy: The students were out on spring break, a baseball game was going on at the same time and it was 75 degrees and sunny outside on Saturday afternoon. Oh, and they’d won three SEC games all year!
hop
March 9th, 2009
10:20 pm
chip,an just how much experience does mr. evans have in running a football program– not much!
coach richt does not need someone looking over his shoulder, as mr.evans is doing and second guessing his every move.
mark richt is proven he is a winner and he will win a national championship ,if not at georgia, then somewhere else!
chip, do a comparison with coach richt and other georgia coaches during the same time period and you will see that he is ahead of all of them.
one other note, mr evans has not provided a indoor practice facility. thus- he has not given coach richt all that is needed or asked.
your last comment about needing to maintain some room for grow upward is a joke!
i don’t think mark richt needs an overboard boss to look ove his shoulder since he is a very self- motivated individual.
i don’t believe florida coach irvin myers a.d. looks over his shoulder, if so, he would be long gone!
FLDAWG
March 9th, 2009
11:05 pm
DE is doing fine at UGA. He is young and still learning. If he is looking over MR shoulder then this will subside with time as he becomes more familiar with his job and how to handle people. As for the bball search firm, this was a good move on DE part. I am sure he has a list of those he liked prior to the search firm. However, being young he is getting non-biased input by using the search firm. It is a good way to check himself. 10 years from now, he might be more capable of running the entire search from the UGA offices but, for now he is doing the right thing. As to who the coach might be, I like Grant. Whoever the hire is, I feel confident that DE will get someone that will serve UGA very well. There really is no reason for UGA not to be a prominent program in the SEC and across the country. The reality of it all is it will take time. At least three years before we know what the future hire will really be.
Sarah Jessica Parker
March 9th, 2009
11:35 pm
Doggies, don’t even think about being a two sport school with the big boys. Better just stick to football. You are going to have enough trouble just keeping that afloat.
Pago Flyer
March 10th, 2009
1:08 am
You just know he’ll hire a “brother”!
Pago Flyer
March 10th, 2009
1:10 am
Actually we stopped going to round ball games when the PA guys started doing their WWF/NBA announcing…..Smith scooooooooooooooores….
tony
March 10th, 2009
4:42 am
UGA need a coach who will preach play smart, pass smart, dribble smart and shoot smart 24/7. Organization is critical to having a winning program. This coach need to understand the psychological /mental factors that will have an affect on how his team performs in games.
Being successful on the basketball court is 95% mental and 5% physical. To get that great performance to come out when it counts the most you have to be able to stay calm under pressure, keep yourself focused on the right things, believe in yourself, rebound quickly from mistakes and handle last minute negativity, fears or doubts.
you also want a coach who have championship and lots of wins written on his resume because players tends to respect and gravitate to coaches who has a road map to success.
Dawggone-it
March 10th, 2009
10:16 am
UGA needs to go after the VCU guy before Bama gets him. I’ve seen them play on Comcast 2-3 times this year plus last night they wore out George Mason. This guy has Donovan/SEC roots so forget Knight, Obama’s brother-in-law (I”m still laughing at that one), and whoever else.
Upstate Dawg
March 10th, 2009
12:03 pm
Chip-
Had it just been this game, I might not have been so harsh. At the same time, the attendance for the Vandy game (following the great victory against Florida) was equally dismal. Also, why in the world did they start the baseball game at 3pm? With a three-game series, they could have easily started it at 4pm or 5pm following the hoops game.
bbdawg
March 10th, 2009
10:27 pm
Chip, RE: the Steg One of the biggest problems is that it looks terrible on TV. The seats on the South side are always half empty and those are the one that you see on TV. I think they must be season ticket holders who don’t show up. I watch a lot of College BB and we look the absolute worst on TV.
Joe_D
March 11th, 2009
9:08 pm
Enter your comments here
Joe_D
March 11th, 2009
9:11 pm
“UGA will be a regional football power – always top 5 in the SEC – and on occasion – top 3 SEC. Although this decade has been the most fruitful in terms of winning % – still no National Titles.”
LOL! UGA is a national power, and has been far more of one than Bama has the past decade. Bama is nothing but a joke and a terribly crooked program run by a bunch of reprobates. Hell, you guys went through the regular season undefeated, then got your ass handed to you by Florida and then embarrased the conference by not even being able to win your bowl game. What an farce.
Harry Ewing
March 13th, 2009
3:48 pm
Most coaches, like the great players, are very competitive. If UGA makes the right hire and lures a very competitive coach to Athens and he can win early on with trips to the Dance, then he will take UGA to the next step. That next step would be as a consistent SEC East challenger and a sometimes SEC Championship.
It can be easily done and it can be done within 2 or 3 years with the right guy. A Competitor, who will attract big time competitive players who buy in. That is the essence of any big time coach.
Athens and all that it presents has always been a lovely place to be. It starts as Towers suggested with D Evans making the right move and with his insatiable thirst to make it happen for UGA in BB, it will happen very soon. See year 2011. We will go to the March dance then and thereafter, on a more regular basis. That is what UGA fans want ……..a solid, consistent BB program to cheer for.
scottdawg
March 13th, 2009
7:54 pm
Chip,
I am all eyes and ears awaiting Evans’ first major decision.
Next time you are in the Stegasaurous—look up at the ceiling of that old thing—looks like it could crumble at any moment—definitely not “cutting edge”.