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.”

Check back to ajc.com for updates.