Evans: Dogs will stay with traditional uniforms
Athens — If there was any doubt after the black-helmeted debacle against Florida, it seems official now that there’ll be no more uniform gimmickry from the Georgia Bulldogs anytime soon.
Georgia athletics director Damon Evans, appearing on UGA’s weekly radio call-in show Monday night, gave a pretty strong thumbs-down to future variations on the Bulldogs’ traditional uniforms.
“I don’t believe playing the game is about uniforms,” Evans said. “I just want our team to go out on the field and play the best of their ability. We have had some uniform changes in the past, but I would tell you not to look for that anytime soon. I’m not going to ever say never, but that’s not something that we’re going to be focused on.”
The Bulldogs veered from tradition by wearing black jerseys in a big 2007 home win over Auburn and a big 2008 home loss to Alabama and by wearing black pants and black helmets in this year’s big loss to Florida in Jacksonville.
“I know there are times when you try to use uniforms to maybe change the mood of the team and so forth, and that’s been done . . . [with] the blackouts we’ve had in the past,” Evans said. “But . . . I like our traditional uniforms –- the silver britches, the red jerseys, the white jerseys and the red helmets -– and that’s what we need to stick with at the University of Georgia. . . .
“I want people to be able to recognize us. . . . And I had a lot of comments after the Florida game that people didn’t recognize who we were. . . . I want people to know we’re Georgia.”
——————–
Evans again expressed confidence that coach Mark Richt will guide the Georgia football program through the storm that currently engulfs it.
Appearing on the second hour of the weekly call-in show –- Richt fills the first hour –- Evans expressed the same sentiments about Richt as he did in an interview with the AJC earlier this month.
“Mark Richt is our football coach, and I’m glad that Mark Richt is our football coach,” Evans said Monday night. “I have confidence in Mark Richt to get the job done and do the things he’s done over the past years to keep us competing for championships. And I know that what Mark will do are the things he thinks are appropriate for the program.”
Later, Evans added: “I’m glad that our fans . . . know we have a good football coach, a coach that has been through the thick and thin, and somebody who has led us to great heights with SEC championships, BCS bowl appearances. Any program faces adversity, and when you face adversity, it’s what you learn from it and how you come out of it. And I have confidence that Coach Richt will come through this.”
A caller asked Evans if he gets involved in head coaches’ decisions about their assistants. Evans said that across all sports he evaluates the head coaches and trusts them to evaluate their assistants.
“I think head coaches need to have the responsibility to deal with their coaching staff,” Evans said. “If there are times in which I need to get involved, I will do so and voice my opinion.”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
167 comments Add your comment
jake
November 24th, 2009
11:59 am
Don’t know if anyone else has addressed this, but beyond CMR’s lame excuse for the black helmets and pants is the simple fact that these uniform variations have to cost a fair amount of money.
How can that ever be considered appropriate at a time when people are losing their jobs and government institutions are cutting back on services? It was an astonishing lack of sensitivity and common sense.
In short, yet another failure to lay at the feet of Coach Richt in a season remarkable for its litany of failures.
Otto
November 24th, 2009
12:00 pm
UGA needs someone that does not call a draw on 3rd and long down in the 4th qtr.
dawgrific
November 24th, 2009
12:02 pm
One point on the coaching stuff-CMR is not a fiery guy, and I don’t think that he would ever be comfortable in that role, so, that is why he needs a guy like Muschamp as his next D-coordinator. If the head coach can’t provide that fire, he needs his d-coordinator to do it (as BVG used to for us). Sorry, but Willie has lost it, if he ever had it to begin with, and we HAVE TO HAVE someone new in that position, and I believe that will happen, especially now.
Willie Martinezz
November 24th, 2009
12:02 pm
We are flat-out awful this year and wasting brain power contemplating a stupid thing such as wearing unique uniform colors?? Do you really think that will make a flips worth of difference? But then again, I’m a big rock-star and making lots of Money, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!!! How much longer will you fools and rubes continue to not stand up to me? I OWN YOU! Get used to it……Willie M.
Baton Rouge Dawg
November 24th, 2009
12:03 pm
I’ve been a Ga Bulldog since birth. Born, raised, in Athens, three degrees from UGA. I am ashamed of the sandlot play I see on the field week after week. The undisciplined penalties (the FACEMASK penalty after Chappas had gained the first down on the blocked punt that could have breathed some life back into that horrible second half against KY) just to cite one example. I miss the Junk Yard dogs of the Russell era. I miss the pride of the Dogs even when we were losing. I wear my UGA stuff proudly in Bengal Bayou country win or lose (ESPECIALLY THIS PAST WEEK WITH UGA VII’s passing)so I’m not a fair weather friend. I’ve been saying for three years Willie has to go. Now, I’m on the CMR has to go bandwagon (won’t even mention Les Miles in this rant).
One more thing – can everyone dispense with the tacky and needless swipes about Uga VII – the non-Georgia fans? That dog was a family member, not just a mascot. Have you ever lost a beloved dog? Do you remember how that feels?
dawgrific
November 24th, 2009
12:04 pm
Amen Baton Rouge Dawg!
Haley Hutchinson
November 24th, 2009
12:05 pm
Valdosta Dawg,
1) As I recall, Evans seemed to support UGA wearing different uniforms against Auburn and Hawaii.
2) You may disagree that Evans has more important things to do than nitpick about the occasional color scheme of football uniforms but that doesn’t mean everyone agrees with you.
3) I’m not a man, I’m a woman.
4) I don’t believe it’s Evans place at this junction to instruct Richt on who to hire or fire.
dawgrific
November 24th, 2009
12:05 pm
and no, I am not thrilled with our o-coordinator either, but I am willing to give him a bit more time.
PirtDawg
November 24th, 2009
12:14 pm
Go Jackets: you may be the only respectable GT fan on here
Saint Simmons: Im suprised you know how to use a computer. how bout some original material.
On the subject of this article,yes the uniforms have been over used and yes I have greatest faith in Coach Richt. His record speaks for it’s self, both at FSU and UGA. You can sit here and pick at him all day long but how many games would they have won if anyone on this page where the coach….0
Call it Like It Is
November 24th, 2009
12:24 pm
What a shame as the black pants looked better than the silver ones anyday.
Enough Said!
Willie Martinezz
November 24th, 2009
12:25 pm
Hey PirtDawg,
I AM THE COACH!!!! It’s mine, ALL MINE (muhwa ha ha ha ha)! I am the ROCK STAR of the coaching ranks. And the likes of Alabama, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Texas, Southern Cal, etc would LOVE TO HAVE ME.
You may kiss my ring now……Willie M.
Outsourced Techie from India
November 24th, 2009
12:36 pm
You might win your football match be we win in the game of life.
Georgia Headlines – 11/24/09 | MrSEC.com
November 24th, 2009
12:41 pm
[...] black pants.8. Evans also praised Richt during a radio call-in show yesterday. “I have confidence in Mark Richt to get the job done and to the things he’s done over the past years to keep us competing for [...]
PirtDawg
November 24th, 2009
12:46 pm
Willie M: they haven’t come with a word in the english language to describe your stupidity.
Outsourced Techie: Im sorry did you mistake us for UT?
Dawg Foot
November 24th, 2009
12:50 pm
Need to wear all silver helmets. Like the old days.
NORRIS
November 24th, 2009
12:51 pm
St. Simons is an employee of The AJC.
Mike Foster
November 24th, 2009
12:52 pm
Darn! I thought one black jersey game and one or two road games with black pants instead of silver would do. Oh well. As long as we start winning games.
and why are Tech fans talking about us not having excuses b/c Rambo is out? Rambo is our backup ding dongs! You might find that out when Reshad Jones posterizes one of your backs!
Mark (a different one)
November 24th, 2009
1:10 pm
I have confidence Richt will turn things around. He understands the expectations are high, and he has stated that is appropriate. UGA fans should expect great things from their team, and this year isn’t it. He also should be the person to make the decisions regarding his assistants. Its his team, his staff, and his call. He has never shirked that responsibility.
That said, Richt isn’t the fiery type personality like Johnson (at Tech). He is true to his nature, as is Johnson. Both are leaders, and both care deeply about their players and being successful. They just handle themselves differently.
I know lots of people want Richt to ‘get in someone’s face’ and display some emotion. Personally, I have never been able to work for a yeller. Publicly embarrass me and you might find yourself flat on your back. Show me some loyalty and support, and I will run through brick walls. Richt (and Johnson) treat their players with respect yet hold them accountable. The fact that Richt does it in private is fitting with his personality.
In the words of Orel Herishiser, “You don’t have to be a wimp to be a christian.”
brucemac
November 24th, 2009
1:10 pm
Cseay, normally I would come up with some lame retort but you are absolutely correct. Your Gators have made us their bitch (female bulldog) and we apparently like it that way. All hale the Gators, a real genuine major college power house. I pull for you every New Years Day and dread our next encounter which will be the next editon of Gator Beat Down. Now I know what it is like to be a Cubs fan, I will be at the GT game and enthusiastically support he Dawgs, we shall return some day.
21 Wins in a row
November 24th, 2009
1:14 pm
Bama embarrased them in black, the Gators destroyed them in black helmets. Yeah, better to stick with the traditional uniforms. 31-0 at halftime, 41-17. Lucky our Freshman running back who you will be hearing a lot about in the future cramped up or it would have been 48-17, but 41-17 is still embarrassing.
Jay in VA
November 24th, 2009
1:19 pm
Thank you Damon, for putting a halt to this insane focus on gimmicking up our fashions. Our uniform, our home uniform particularly, is the best looking one in the game. Leave it alone! Let’s work on the Xs and Os.
QB controversy
November 24th, 2009
1:19 pm
QB controversy hitting Athens theatres in 2010. It could be one of two guys that by the time the season starts haven’t played in a game in almost two years or another one who has been catching punts and throwing to Florida linebackers.
pilgrim
November 24th, 2009
1:25 pm
Baton Rouge Dawg has it right – and I pull for Tech. The Junk Yard dogs used to inspire respect no matter what their record. Not any more. For me it started with that primping end zone celebration.
Your freshmen running backs looked sharp and Cox hit some nice ones against KY. Re-start the tradition this Saturday, and inspire respect.
Fare thee well, UGA.
59bulldawg
November 24th, 2009
1:26 pm
90 Dog you crack me up. LOL!
Hairy Dawg
November 24th, 2009
1:27 pm
Despite his record against Florida, Mark Richt has generally done a great job here. This season stinks. Everyone knows it. It’s also apparent that we had a couple of overrated recruiting classes that lacked the depth of talent and football acumen to live up to expectations. I’m starting to believe those who say that recruiting service rankings are mainly driven by the number of subscriptions sold. According to some national publications, Notre Dame never really has a bad recruiting class. The on-field results tell another tale.
The fact is that I don’t care whether a player is a three-star recruit or a five-star blue-chipper. I just want the model player UGA signs to be able to play the game of football in an instinctively smart fashion. Coaches should be able to polish the rough edges and mask most flaws, but if the fundamental character of a player is sub-par, then his performance will reflect it.
Lunchtime links: Emotions spilling over | Gulf Coast GameDay
November 24th, 2009
1:43 pm
[...] look for any more gimmicky uniforms such as black helmets or black jerseys from Georgia anytime soon, says Georgia athletic director [...]
NCDAWG
November 24th, 2009
1:45 pm
To Hairy Dawg: Great comment! Maybe UGA could hire Donnan as a recruiting consulanat. Richt did really with Donnan’s recruits
SAS
November 24th, 2009
2:01 pm
No more colored uniforms? Speaking for Alabama fans everywhere,…Bummer!
PHIL
November 24th, 2009
2:10 pm
I’m glad we finally found a job Damon is capable of, uniform selection and radio show fill in.
It’s no wonder people make fun of our University and it’s standard of education. Read what Baton Rouge Dog said and remember he has three degrees from there. I think they are stupid, stupider and stupidest.Along with NCDAWG who thinks Donnans recruits were here in 2007, the year we finished highest since 1980, you see where the stereotypes come from.
Hairy Dog is right, the recruiting services are over rated. OK has a bad year and they have big time recruiting classes. USC always has one of the top few classes and they haven’t beaten anyone this year better than the third grade all stars. No one calls for him to leave. Even after he boneheaded his starting QB decision. Started some great recruit over experience and he sucks. Yet UGA fans think that’s what we should have done. Do you see why people across the nation think people from here are dumb?
TNT
November 24th, 2009
2:19 pm
get rid of willie and bring back van gorder
NCDAWG
November 24th, 2009
2:23 pm
To Phil: Richt’s best record came in 2002, they were 13-1….and finished 3rd…..The 2007 team was lucky to finish 2nd, a lot of teams lost the last week which gave LSU a chance to play in the BCS…who have been the best leaders during Richt’s tenure? I am sure most people would say David Greene and David Pollack both Donnan recruits:
Here is a look at Richt’s Seasons
2001-8-4-mostly Donnan recruits
2002-13-1-mostly Donnan recruits
2003-10-3-1/2
2004-10-2-Donnan’s Last class (except redshirts)
2005-10-3 Richt’s
2006-8-4
2007-10-2
2008-10-2
2009-Best case:7-5
NCDAWG
November 24th, 2009
2:40 pm
To Phil……I am not questioning Richt’s coaching ability……Richt’s best season came in 2002……his 2nd year…..I do question some of his recruiting methods…..I know that Stafford and Moreno with 1st round picks………but would most UGA fans rather have Greene or Stafford? I know Stafford is making lots and lots of $$$$$, but Green was loyal to UGA.
NCDAWG
November 24th, 2009
2:40 pm
To Phil……I am not questioning Richt’s coaching ability……Richt’s best season came in 2002……his 2nd year…..I do question some of his recruiting methods…..I know that Stafford and Moreno were 1st round picks………but would most UGA fans rather have Greene or Stafford? I know Stafford is making lots and lots of $$$$$, but Green was loyal to UGA.
Bulldog1
November 24th, 2009
2:53 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Please, let’s use a little common sense. I am a Richt fan, but having said that, Bobo and Martinez and their outdated, weak schemes are a clear reflection of the fact that Coach Richt and his philosophies do not and will not compete with Florida, Alabama,etc. The sad thing, is that we can’t even compete with Tennessee in one of the most obvious rebuilding times in their recent history. Why? Innovative schemes and ideas on offense and defense. Penalties and turnovers are clear indicators of a lack of discipline in the program from the top down. No accountability, poor schemes,etc. Look at Cinncinati, Oregon, Stanford, Boise State and best of all TCU. Is it better athletes? Get real. I know it’s not the SEC, but look at the turnaround at Alabama…it’s coaching. Have the courage to admit it. Mark Richt is a great person, but it’s time to move on unless we want to settle for mediocrity.
SSI gator
November 24th, 2009
3:00 pm
What? No new uni style for next years game in Jax? Too bad. It is the only thing left to get excited about and anticipate in what used to be a decent rival. Oh well. Brantley to Demps – Touchdown. UF 49 – UGA 3.
RIPUGHA
November 24th, 2009
3:05 pm
Ruled by Tennessee, Florida and Kentucky this year. Heres to the fifth best team in the SEC East
red helmets
November 24th, 2009
3:16 pm
Please do not wear those ugly black helmets ever again. The red helmet and red shirts look the best out of all.
Fashion Coordinator
November 24th, 2009
3:22 pm
I think they should wear the baggy, black denim pants with the belt cinched below the butt, exposing half of their drawers and also the oversized hoodies with the red “G” on the back. Bright red, cleats with flashing lights and white ties holding back the dreadlocks should complete this ensemble.
red helmets
November 24th, 2009
3:23 pm
Man Tech is going to put up 70 points on WM. Tech is a physical team. Uga is not physical team at all. The dawgs will throw some great late hits. AWESOME. I do not understand . It is Unreal
red helmets
November 24th, 2009
3:26 pm
Let’s go high diving guys!!! Don’t worry about that hard schedule. The water will free your mind guys. Cannonball..
Gillette
November 24th, 2009
3:31 pm
Steps to improving:
1. Fire Willie
2. Fire Bobo
3. Fire Fabris
4. Janeck
5. Bench Joe Cox
6. Bench Brian Evans
7. Bench any player who commits a penalty
8. Bench any player who commits a turnover
9. Adhere to strict discipline
10. Put A. Murray in the game
11. Fire Willie
12. Fire Willie NOW
GO DAWGS
red helmets
November 24th, 2009
3:32 pm
Everyone needs to realize. CMR has had some great seasons as head coach of the dawgs. How close where these great year to being worse that this year. MR barely beat the teams the dawgs where expected to blow out. Alot of these wins should have been a lost. If your a Dawg fan you know what I am talking about. MR’s teams have barely been getting by with 80% of their wins
red helmets
November 24th, 2009
3:34 pm
Gillette I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Richt's Dilemma
November 24th, 2009
4:12 pm
Richt will not fire any assistants. He’s too loyal. Damon Evans will have to do the job and send some of these lightweights walking.
HH
November 24th, 2009
4:37 pm
I certainly would not bet the farm that Richt will make any staff changes voluntarily. From Richt’s past comments, he seems to be a stubborn individual who will not easily change an opinion once formed. Furthermore, Damon Evans does not strike me as the kind of athletic director that will force his will upon a personality like Richt. So far as major staff changes go, some of you may be a bit optimistic. At any rate, psychologically prepare yourselves for a big letdown once this season has ended. Changes will come, but it may be a long, difficult road.
Jacksonville Jethro
November 24th, 2009
4:45 pm
Brantley to Debose………………Touchdown.
ludes
November 24th, 2009
5:05 pm
The college sports web site Rivals is reporting Richt told his players at practice today that Sat will be his last game at Ga and that Willie Martinez will be the head coach next season. Good move?
route66
November 24th, 2009
5:05 pm
If anyone here listened to the Mark Richt call in show last please respond to some of the questions asked of coach Richt. Not able to pick up the show, thanks.
BigDawg
November 24th, 2009
5:10 pm
Those saying they want Stafford back. He still sucks just less than Joe Cox and he is not the best QB we’ve ever had he isn’t in that conversation he isn’t as good as Shockley. Greene and Tarkenton are clearly superior and their are others as well stop it with the blind Stafford love. Just because Joe Cox sucks is no reason to believe Stafford doesn’t
ksleezy
November 24th, 2009
5:40 pm
I liked the change up in uniforms. This is some BS. I wouldn’t mind seeing us wear black every year in Jacksonville. I loved the uniforms this year, we can wear those when we’re the away team and the red helmets, black jerseys, and silver britches when we’re the home team. I can tell he’s married, wants to see the same stuff all the time.