Evans’ settlement: 3 months salary plus previously earned $100,000 bonus
(Updated 12:20 p.m.)
ATHENS -–The UGA Athletic Association board of directors’ executive committee this morning approved a settlement that will pay departing athletics director Damon Evans three months salary as severance, plus a $100,000 longevity bonus earned under his previous contract.
UGA President Michael Adams told the board that Evans submitted his resignation, “which I have accepted,” on Sunday.
The meeting, by teleconference, lasted about 15 minutes, most of that in executive — closed — session.
“As I said on Thursday morning, when I first learned of the situation, this is not an example of the kind of leadership that I expect our senior administrators to set,” Adams told the committee.
“We acknowledge the many positive accomplishments of [Evans'] tenure, including an increased focus on the academic success of student-athletes, the overall financial strength of the athletic department and the hiring of many very good people as head coaches and senior leaders in the athletic department.”
Adams said he would not answer questions from the media about the matter and the future leadership of the athletics department until a 2 p.m. news conference on Tuesday.
According to the separation agreement signed by Evans and Adams on Sunday, the Athletic Association agreed to continue to pay Evans his salary for the next three months, totaling about $137,500. In addition, he is to be paid a $100,000 longevity bonus called for in his previous contract on Aug. 1.
In the agreement, Evans “releases and forever discharges” the university, the Athletic Association and the state “from any and all claims.” He also agreed to a confidentiality provision regarding “all matters leading up to this Release Agreement,” and both parties — Evans and UGA — agreed to make “no statements . . . which are disparaging, critical or negative toward each other or any of their agents, employees or students.”
The agreement also stipulates that Evans “will receive a reference mutually agreed-to by the President of the University and Evans.”
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256 comments Add your comment
AD Stinky Fingers
July 5th, 2010
1:24 pm
I lived in Tampa for 20 years and travel there frequently. Blacks are simply irrelevant there as they are such a minor portion of the population. As a result, not too much racism it is more like complete indiffernce to a non-contributing group of society.
Margaret
July 5th, 2010
1:25 pm
Let’s (UGA and friends) move on.
Coffee Bluff Dawg
July 5th, 2010
1:27 pm
I feel bad for the Evans family. While Damon did a good job as AD he demonstrated his immaturity and complete lack of judgment by his actions.
There was really no other choice than to let him go. The same result would have occurred if any of the UGA coaches had done the same.
David Granger
July 5th, 2010
1:32 pm
To Jim, in regard to your 11:16 am note:
You’re probably right, and if UGA wanted to fight it they’d likely win in court. But then it’d be all drawn out and continue to create negative publicity. Even with a “morality clause” in a contract, it’s hard to fire someone for cause.
It’s far better for all concerned to reach an agreement, which lets both sides save a little face. If Damon had fought it in court, then his career would be OVER…even if he won the lawsuit. (And frankly, I don’t think he’d have had a chance.) At least now he can make a big production of going to a rehab clinic, say the right things, etc. (Pull a Tiger Woods, in other words) Then…in a few years…maybe he’s got a shot at another assistant AD position somewhere. Perhaps a smaller school, where his contacts might be worth them taking a chance on him?
I can’t say that he was my choice originally, but I have to admit that he’s done a good job for the university. Sad situation for both sides.
Alex Balashov
July 5th, 2010
1:33 pm
It doesn’t sound like Evans got very good severance terms at all. I know that from a commonsensical perspective, $237,500 seems like an eye-popping sum of money–it certainly does to me too–but those who think he made off like a bandit from this need to consider the situation in relative terms, taking into consideration the customs, norms, conventions and financial realities that obtain at that level of compensation and executive institutional power.
Relative to his existing $420,000 annual compensation and the attendant lifestyle, it’s not much. Any possible litigation he undertakes for the DUI is likely to cost significantly more money than it would for an average person, even just to negotiate a plea; just by the very nature of his position and financial profile, someone like him would use more boutique versions of the same legal resources that ordinary people would, perhaps out of necessity vis-a-vis privacy and so on. Exuberant prosecutors may wish to make a public tough-on-celebrity-crime spectacle of him and not offer him the same plea deals–or any plea deals–so he might have to fight harder to effect the same ends.
Any divorce at this point is purely speculative and not based in any publicly available evidence, but if assumed, decent divorce litigation for someone with an income and asset situation as complex as his is likely to be can be well over $100,000. On top of that, his wife may be entitled to more than half of marital assets in a fault divorce (his presumed adultery), not to mention child support and alimony, especially if she has no significant income of her own. How much of that $237,500 is going to be left over? 50 cents? He better have some decent savings or investments or other substantial assets to leverage, or he’s deeply screwed.
I’m not saying everyone should cry for poor Damon — whether you are sympathetic to him or not in this situation on a spiritual or practical level is a matter of personal choice, obviously. I’m just pointing out that in the language of the prevalent practices “up high,” this settlement offer from UGA should be understood to be a high-falutin’ version of a middle finger.
BUBBA GUMP
July 5th, 2010
1:34 pm
$237,000 and unemployment checks. Who gets that? He can rebound after this and he knows it.
Red Panties
July 5th, 2010
1:36 pm
Add red panties to the list: Tony Cole, Jim Harrick and jr. and how many pts do you get for a 3 pt shot?, the Jan Kemp case in which kids were being pushed through college who were functionally illiterate. And this was done with the full complicity of the institution itself. The whole school was cheating on this one. And then there is the recent track record of Georgia’s football team which has had a nation leading 30+ arrests over the last 3 years. Apparently Saint Richt’s teams aren’t so saintly after all. This institution has no character, no values, no sense of discipline, it is a mess and a freaking joke to the rest of the SEC.
he ghost of Nell Carter
July 5th, 2010
1:39 pm
Gimme a break POAD. Of course it is more about MONEY more than it is about race.
Tom
July 5th, 2010
1:39 pm
So Butts’ name is being left on the UGAA HQ?
Hypocrites.
the ghost of Nell Carter
July 5th, 2010
1:42 pm
Gimme a break! You can’t blame Mark Richt for the alcoholics that are churned out of UGA. in the thousands each year. Athens is nothing but a fertile breeding ground for future drunks. Now when one of Mark Richt’s kids get arrested for an alcohol related incident, blame him.
clean house dogs
July 5th, 2010
1:43 pm
i believe it’s time to clean house after this patheitc example of ‘leadership’. how can dr. adams hire from within when those associated with damon can be as guilty as he is to a degree? those whom knew and i’m fairly confident ALOT knew about his past should be let go as well – they sheriff in town should be Jack Baurele or Greg McGarity – it’s time dr. adams restores what’s good about UGAA and that’s the history & pedigree which it stands for … traditional hob-nail boot goodness!
UGAisaJOKE
July 5th, 2010
1:44 pm
$237,500 bought his silence from talking about what really goes on at that hellhole.
“He also agreed to a confidentiality provision regarding “all matters leading up to this Release Agreement,” and both parties — Evans and UGA — agreed to make “no statements . . . which are disparaging, critical or negative toward each other or any of their agents, employees or students.”
Look Alive
July 5th, 2010
1:44 pm
DAN don’t overlook the #1 screw-up in American history OBAMA and the #2 screw-ups those that voted for and still support him how brain dead do you have to be
Hayseed Dixie
July 5th, 2010
1:45 pm
Haha, the comments on here are amazing.
The fact is Evans had administrative skills that would make your white trash, bumpkin head spin.
The issue here is not race, it’s arrogance. Arrogance makes an AD think he can get away with it. And *arrogance* makes you UGA sidewalk fans think you’re somehow superior.
You know, it’s you UGA sidewalk fans that just poop on anything that would be good about UGA.
Puppie dawg
July 5th, 2010
1:52 pm
Troubles continue at the “football factory”! It’d be one thing if pup nation could win football games. But to not matter in conference play, AND have character issues…hehehohohehehoooo!!
gatorman770
July 5th, 2010
1:53 pm
I’ll be glad when August gets here and we can talk college football in lieu of drunk/stoned UGA ADs and Georgia State Patrol panty raids!
Puppie dawg
July 5th, 2010
1:55 pm
Red Panties to take the place of pom poms…hoooooooooohehehoooooo!!!!
David
July 5th, 2010
1:55 pm
I like to wish Damon the best for everything he did for UGA. For what happen last week, I was sorry to hear what happen. It really put a lope in my throat because I really care and we been like a family at UGA. Damon and Kerri and the two children Cameron and Kennedy have been very nice and special to my visits to UGA, SEC, Bowl games, and Athens. Again, Darren, I will always be your friend and again hope the best for you and your family in the future!
Cedric
July 5th, 2010
1:59 pm
They weren’t HIS red panties?
POAD
July 5th, 2010
2:00 pm
David you forgot how to spell Damon’s name? Must be a real close friend.
MM
July 5th, 2010
2:01 pm
Someone mentioned Pepper Rodgers. I recall Pepper saying when Ga. T— fired him they didn’t have the class to tell him beforehand – he says he first found out he was canned when he got in his car and heard it announced on the car radio. Pepper probably deserved better than to work there.
Panties patrol
July 5th, 2010
2:01 pm
You can bet there will be tons of red panties being flown atop flag poles in JAX when the dawgs and gators get together. Matter of fact I reckon they will be waving those red panties at opposing stadiums all over the sec. How humiliating.
Damon Evans and UGA Agree to Part Ways | Dawn of the Dawg | A Georgia Bulldogs blog
July 5th, 2010
2:03 pm
[...] resigned his post as Athletic Director of the University of Georgia in the wake of his DUI arrest Reportedly there is a $100,000 settlement in addition to Evans receiving three additional months pay. There is [...]
POAD
July 5th, 2010
2:03 pm
Damon you should have said they were your wife’s panties. Say you keep them with you to smell to remember your wife at times you feel weak around other women.
Alex Balashov
July 5th, 2010
2:04 pm
Also, I’m actually kind of surprised he went for the deal at such a low return.
As numerous articles in the press about the elements of his contract that give UGA grounds for unilateral termination have pointed out, he can be dismissed for committing a felony, which a DUI is not. He is also expected to behave himself [in a manner consistent with the expressed ethical and moral standards of the institution he represents] and whatnot, but the profoundly subjective nature of that determination is open ground for dispute. From a pedestrian perspective, it may seem kind of obvious that his actions meet whatever standard of “you’ve been naughty” the contract contemplates, but from a litigious one, it is not at all obvious. He could allege discrimination since others with morality/ethics clauses have received DUIs without being fired, while arguing that the woman issue is unrelated to the substance of the alleged breach and is a personal matter. He may not win, but the point is that it could easily cost UGA a whole lot to fight it out.
The confidentiality/nondisclosure element of his settlement suggests that the $237,500 also bought his silence on any improprieties and/or “dirt” he may have on the administration, or anything else he can use as a chip. That’s fully expected and completely standard, but I would think the price would be significantly higher than $237,500 for someone foregoing more than ~$2.5m in compensation.
Puppie dawg
July 5th, 2010
2:04 pm
i think Damon would have been OK if he just said the panties were his! That’s what the pups wear instead of Jocks!!!! Goooooooooooooooo Gators, baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ripdog
July 5th, 2010
2:06 pm
Hey Damon, you know that “Becky” will get you in trouble everytime dawg.
Puppie dawg
July 5th, 2010
2:07 pm
POAD!! You are hilarious!! Keep slamming those panty sniffin pup fans!!!!
shellmanblfdawg
July 5th, 2010
2:10 pm
Was that honey in real estate? Of course, she was showin’ him the most expensive piece of real estate ever marketed.
Puppie dawg
July 5th, 2010
2:16 pm
rational dawg, you are a penis. you gay or something???
steve
July 5th, 2010
2:17 pm
Why do we always have to bring RACE into any discussion? People we are fighting two wars overseas and our service men/women are fighting/dying for this country both BLACK and WHITE so leave race out of it with your sick comments. As we celebrate the 4th of July, we should recognize what BLACKS and WHITES have contributed to this country!!!
Big Daddy 02
July 5th, 2010
2:17 pm
If you haven’t noticed: Damon and Tiger look a lot alike.
CDAWG
July 5th, 2010
2:20 pm
Although we all agree that Evans has to go, I hope and pray that this episode changes his life in a positive way here on out. I hope that he makes things right with his family and bounces back. Maybe Mettenburger can put in a good word for him where he is at…Lord that was not right!
Legalese
July 5th, 2010
2:27 pm
Alex Balashov,
Are you just dumb? Dispense with all the legalese crap and look at it from a common sense angle. Its not just the DUI. The man is in a highly visible role at a public institution and the details of the police report make him and UGA a laughing stock. You really think he should get paid more money for doing something so embarrassing it gets him fired? Are we going to reward people even more for doing bad? How idiotic are you? He shouldn’t have been given a freaking dime. And we don’t care about your legal crap point of view.Half the problems in this country are due to costs being run up from everything from health care to buying out this fool’s contract by these leech lawyers. Bug off you wanker!
No Fan of Any Team
July 5th, 2010
2:31 pm
$237,000. Your Alumni donations at work!
J.Thomas
July 5th, 2010
2:33 pm
Anyone in the ‘public eye’ should know they will always be scrutinized, therfore there should be no excuses when something inexcuseable is done, they should be ready to face the consequences for their actions, we are adults and know right from wrong, so asking for forgiveness is a ‘crock’
Browndog
July 5th, 2010
2:35 pm
It is obvious that not many people commenting on here have ever been involved in having to release someone from an organization. Whenever severance is involved the receiving party executes a confidentiality agreement agreeing, among other things not to sue, make disparaging statements, etc. It is common that if the person is high enough in an organization that the agreement binds both parties. I am actually surprised that the severance wasn’t higher. UGA wanted this over and done. Move on to hiring a new AD.
Don't get it either
July 5th, 2010
2:36 pm
CDAWG
July 5th, 2010
2:25 pm
“I am curious as to why so many black men go after white women when there are so many attractive black women out there. I have seen some black men with some UGLY white women. I don’t get it.”
I don’t get it either. I’ve seen a lot of normal looking black dudes with the fattest, ugliest white women you can imagine. Once in awhile you see a black dude with a nice looking white girl but 95% of the time its the mega fat white women they go for. They could be dating a slender, nice looking black woman and instead they go for fat white women. Its the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. White men don’t care since its mostly the fat white women but I would imagine its got to be very hurtful to the eligible black women. And with a shortage of young black men since some of them die early from crime, murder, etc and a lot are in prison the ones that are left have their choice of eligible black women. So what do they do every time? Go for the skanky and usually fat white woman. Truly bewildering.
Diehard
July 5th, 2010
2:36 pm
Has anyone noticed that St. Vincent has stayed quiet on this whole affair. He’s just lucky there was no internet when he was playing the field with female state troopers . . .
Alex Balashov
July 5th, 2010
2:38 pm
Legalese @ 2:27:
I think you are misinterpreting my comment. I am not suggesting that he should be paid more or less or insinuating any degree of justice or injustice to his settlement. I honestly can’t say whether he should be paid more or paid less; I just objectively find the figure surprisingly low for the situation, based on how these types of high-profile scandals usually play out, and based on my understanding of the contract.
I also agree with your general viewpoint on litigation and legal costs. However, no matter how resentful the topic of legal mechanics makes you, the devil in this situation is entirely in those details. Doing something embarrassing, politically inconvenient, or laughingstock-worthy is not in itself necessarily grounds for losing your job — there are technicalities that govern that. It’s not a “crap” angle from which to approach the matter. Your indignation, while understandable, doesn’t change that.
No Fan of Any Team
July 5th, 2010
2:40 pm
I suspect the release agreement includes extra bucks to buyout any future book deal or article that would tell all about drunk athletes that ‘get out of jail free’, take bogus classes, get unfair passing grades, and get other perks by the University. Your Alumni Donations at Work!
PS this applies to any University Athletic program.
Decatur Taliban
July 5th, 2010
2:40 pm
Well, an unfortunate and sad chapter now closes at UGA; from what I heard he did a good job as athletic director but we are judged by the standards du jour. So unless you are self employed a successful man had better watch his back, because the system is not through with him. The next hurdle for him is settling up with his current wife who will probably strip him down to the bone like a piranha; his productive life is over and he might find a job at one of the historically black colleges when the recession is over but his Division 1 viability is done for; hell they might even have to bring back Vince Dooley and then everyone can be vindicated on all sides.
turkeycaller
July 5th, 2010
2:49 pm
Dee Cizzle- Don’t try to explain your thinking and rationale as it is apparently too hard for you. I hope we didn’t recruit you!!!!!
POAD
July 5th, 2010
2:50 pm
Whitey you need to get faster or read my post before you repeat what I say.
Decatur Taliban
July 5th, 2010
2:50 pm
Now now, let’s stay civil here. He made a mistake as we all have; it’s just that he could have done so much in his position as UGA athletic director and now we’ll never know.
Whitey
July 5th, 2010
2:54 pm
Poad,
The posts are 2 minutes apart. Nobody is going to refresh every single minute to make sure their point is not being also made by someone else. Near duplicative posts are going to happen.
houston
July 5th, 2010
2:58 pm
Evans new job will be caddy for Tiger Woods. They can corner the white women wanting to play with the stars.
O.J. Simpson Says
July 5th, 2010
2:59 pm
UGA is a JOKE and Brother Evans is an idiot. Everyone knows you kill witnesses and never cry like a bi**h when you are cuffed.
LET'S KEEP IT REAL!
July 5th, 2010
3:00 pm
LMAO OK WHILE WHERE AT IT LET’S FINISH CLEANING UP ALL THESE OTHER MEN/WOMEN THAT DRINKING AND DRIVING DRUNK,AND THATS DRUGGING DID I MENTION THE CHEATERS “WOW THERES NO ONE LEFT”ITS SAD ALL THE WAY AROUND AND WHO SUFFERS? OR DOES ANYONE CARES LETS KEEP IT REAL NO ONE CARES WELL MOST UNLESS ITS SOMETHING NEGATIVE TALK THATS GOING ON BUT PLEASE REMEMBER WE ALL HAVE SOMETHING WHERE ASHAME OF JUST HAVE NOT GOT CAUGHT!
Larwence Henry
July 5th, 2010
3:00 pm
If you’re an African-American man in a high profile position, you cannot afford any lapse in judgment. Damon Evans brought this upon himself. Yes this is 2010 and there is an African-American president, but race is still a factor in every aspect of our society. If I were making $500,000 a year at a prestigious White University, I would keep my Black behind at home every night, drink Coca Cola and rub my wife’s bunions. Mike Vic, Tiger Woods, and now Damon Evans have unfortunately fallen into the power and popularity trap. They get celebrated by society and forget their place and the reminder is always a mistake in moral judgment that society condemns them for.
So as Chris Rock would say, “Rich Black men, leave them White women alone!”