The end of the Evans era came quickly
ATHENS — The same people who months earlier voted enthusiastically to give Damon Evans a new five-year contract moved swiftly Monday to end his tenure as the University of Georgia’s athletics director.
The executive committee of the UGA Athletic Association board of directors spent about 15 minutes on a conference call, voting unanimously to accept Evans’ resignation and approve a separation agreement that will pay him three months’ salary as severance and a $100,000 bonus for prior service.
The board’s action came five days after Evans’ arrest in Atlanta on a DUI charge and three days after the release of a police report with damaging details about the incident.
The settlement means Evans will get about $237,500, a small fraction of what he would have made under the contract he was given by the Athletic Board at a Feb. 3 meeting.
That contract, which was scheduled to take effect July 1, mere minutes after he was pulled over by the Georgia State Patrol, would have paid him $3.25 million over the next five years.
The contract required Evans to “act at all times in a manner consistent with . . . the appropriate moral, ethical and academic standards of the university” and gave Georgia the right to terminate it for a variety of reasons, including conviction of a “crime of moral turpitude.”
Evans said on the day after the arrest that he hoped to keep the job he had held since 2004, but by Saturday night, after discussions with UGA President Michael Adams, he told colleagues that he was out as athletics director. Evans met with Athletic Association attorney Edward Tolley on Sunday, signed a three-page settlement agreement and submitted his resignation to Adams.
Monday’s executive-committee teleconference was a perfunctory conclusion of a series of events that saw Evans, 40, plummet from the top of his profession.
At the February meeting, the Athletic Board expressed its enthusiastic approval of Evans’ job performance by giving him a new contract with a $110,000-a-year raise. At that meeting, Adams said of Evans: “He’s already become a nationally recognized figure in athletics, and we are fortunate to have him. . . I think he’s done an extraordinary job. . . . And there’s not been a whiff of impropriety during that six-year period. If you’re the president of an institution, that means a whole lot.”
Fast-forward to Monday, when Adams convened a to-the-point teleconference to end Evans’ tenure.
Fourteen media members gathered at the Butts-Mehre athletics headquarters building on Georgia’s south campus to listen to the call on a speaker phone and were ushered into the only conference room large enough to accommodate them -– the one in what used to be Evans’ fourth-floor office suite. The adjoining door to his private office was closed.
From the black leather chairs witha red “G” emblazoned on the back of each, you could look out the windows and see two major ongoing construction projects Evans championed — the massive expansion of the Butts-Mehre building and, in the distance, the renovation of Stegeman Coliseum.
Adams convened the conference call and quickly received a motion to go into executive –- closed –- session to discuss “a personnel matter.” Within 10 minutes, the committee returned to open session, and Adams announced Evans’ separation agreement had been approved.
“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 said. “I have high regard for Damon personally; I care deeply about him and his family.”
Adams added: “We acknowledge the many positive accomplishments of his 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 would not entertain questions from the media Monday but said he will do so during a news conference Tuesday afternoon.
Within minutes of Monday’s conference call, Evans’ name had been removed from the staff directory on the UGA athletics website. In its place, the acronym “TBA” — To Be Announced — was placed beside the position of athletics director.
Evans was not on the conference call and has not returned repeated calls from the AJC the past few days. He provided a written statement Monday afternoon.
“I would like to once again offer my sincerest apology to the University of Georgia people –- the president and administration, athletic staff and coaches, fans and supporters, and especially the student-athletes,” Evans wrote.
“It had been my hope since taking the [athletics director's] job in 2004 that I would have a long career at UGA. But because of a serious mistake in judgment, that won’t be the case, and I understand that I have a long road to rebuilding my reputation and career.”
Evans thanked his supporters, encouraged the athletics department staff to keep the student-athletes “first and foremost in everything you do” and concluded: “God bless and Go Dawgs.”
Bob Bishop, a long-time executive-committee member and retired Athens banker, told the AJC late Monday that he “never would have suspected” the turn of events involving Evans. “I was just totally amazed by the whole thing — shocked,” Bishop said. But he saw Evans’ departure as inevitable under the circumstances.
“There wasn’t any dissension in the Bulldog Nation that I know of, and certainly none on the board,” Bishop said. “I just feel sad for his wife and children and for him, too, quite frankly.”
Evans’ settlement will be paid from Athletic Association funds. Aside from three months’ salary, he’ll receive on Aug. 1 the $100,000 “longevity bonus” that was called for in his past two contracts. The most recent contract said he would be entitled to the bonus by staying on the job through June 30, 2010, and would receive it within 30 days of July 1, 2011.
As part of the settlement, Evans released the university, the Athletic Association and the state “from any and all claims.” Evans and UGA agreed to make “no statements . . . which are disparaging, critical or negative toward each other.” Evans agreed to return all university property, including vehicles provided for his use, before noon Tuesday. And Evans “will receive a reference mutually agreed-to” by him and Adams.
Adams promised to discuss “the future leadership of the athletic department” on Tuesday. He likely will outline an interim arrangement for the department’s operation as well as the process for finding Evans’ successor.
Major-college athletic-director searches typically take months to complete, usually involving search committees and/or executive search firms.
When Evans was chosen to succeed Vince Dooley as Georgia’s athletics director, a search committee interviewed five candidates and forwarded three of them to Adams for final interviews.
The finalists, in addition to Evans, were Lee Fowler, then athletics director at N.C. State, and Eric Hyman, then AD at Texas Christian. Fowler was forced out at N.C. State last month, and Hyman now is athletics director at South Carolina.
The other candidates interviewed by Georgia’s search committee in late 2003 were Greg McCarity, then and now Florida’s associate athletics director, and Mark Lewis, then General Electric’s vice president of Olympic sponsorships.
In-house candidates for the job this time could include Frank Crumley, the executive associate athletics director who has gotten much credit for the Georgia program’s strong financial performance; Carla Williams, the senior associate athletics director and a former UGA basketball player; and Arthur Johnson, the associate AD for internal operations.
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106 comments Add your comment
Sweat Socks
July 6th, 2010
10:10 am
It’s amazing how many of these comments read like the old ‘Snuffy Smith’ cartoons!
I'm a Dumb@ass Teabagger
July 6th, 2010
10:10 am
@PAgo
What is the liberal quota system you tea bagging redneck. One black hire in the History of the Program? The history of the conference?
U were a waste of your mommies panty waste.
PMC
July 6th, 2010
10:13 am
I just find this situation incredibly disapointing. Evans had the Athletic department doing big things dragging them into the 21st century. Updating facilities, being proactive, improving academically…etc. He was doing a great job and just through it away casually without thinking. I’m disapointed for him, his family and for Georgia.
I’m thinking or hoping with Carla Williams pedigree she might be an excellent choice moving foward to build on the mostly good work that Damon Evans did in his tenure.
Bucky Belue hand it to Herschel
July 6th, 2010
10:16 am
The power of the P takes another man down, woof woof Kincade for AD so I can get away from him, go doggy style I mean go dawgs!
Delbert D.
July 6th, 2010
10:18 am
8:23 post: “All I care about is if the Dawgs win their football games. The AD, Prez, Coach, Players, Graduation, Salaries, Morals, Ethics, Injuries, or Opponents does not amount to a hill of beans. Just win the damn game and the money rolls in and everybody is happy. Soothing, Blissful, Winning.”
Oh, what a *great* idea. Drop the affiliation with the University, and just become “the Dawgs.” Finding a place to play might be a problem, since Sanford Stadium is owned by the University of Georgia.
I'm a Dumb@ass Teabagger
July 6th, 2010
10:22 am
@ Perry Mason
All the negative comments about the black guy and you comment pick that one to comment on? Et tu?
Masters & Johnson
July 6th, 2010
10:23 am
RE: “The end of the Evans era came quickly”
According to Courtney, so did Damon.
I'm a Dumb@ass Teabagger
July 6th, 2010
10:24 am
@ M&J
Hella funny
Clean House
July 6th, 2010
10:37 am
UGA makes headlines again with another player arrest. No institutional control whatsoever ! This program has become a circus with nothing but a bunch of clowns running the show. FIRE THEM ALL !
Larry Munson
July 6th, 2010
10:40 am
Look at the Jailbirds falling from the sky !!!
Say it aint so !
July 6th, 2010
10:44 am
Kick that thug off the team ! Zero Tolerance Today !
BIG PAPI
July 6th, 2010
10:48 am
Perry Mason is a coward who is not willing to face reality! A real punkass of sorts!
BIG PAPI
July 6th, 2010
10:50 am
The arresting officer acted swiftly and decisively in containing the interracial mingle. We can’t have none of that in the dirteeeee now can we?
Obama caused...............(Oh hell it's all his fault)
July 6th, 2010
10:53 am
Where is the love, compassion, and understanding we all need tohave for one another. If your brother falls you pick him up dust him off and put him on the right path.
You don’t kick a man when he is down. A Real man helps you realize the error of your ways and prays that you see how to find redemption.
A coward waits till you are down to pile on with the masses because he is too weak to do it while you are standing tall.
Avenger
July 6th, 2010
10:56 am
confed. dawg. What’s this We Crap? We didn’t do any thing. As for the Black president, minorities and young enlighten white got him elected.
Big Boys Dont Cry !
July 6th, 2010
10:59 am
With the new arrest of football player Jordan Love CMR needs to tell him Bu Bye!
herschel walker, the red panty stalker
July 6th, 2010
11:08 am
LMFAO!!!!!!!
oledawg
July 6th, 2010
11:09 am
It’s a good thing Georgia doesn’t have to travel up to Durham and play Duke in basketball this year. Try and imagine the fun the “Cameron Crazies”, would have with red panties. It would be hilarious, yet relentless. Bye Bye Damon—–don’t let the door hit you on the way out.
SEC Football Maven
July 6th, 2010
11:18 am
The Evans episode is what happens when a young, inexperienced, unqualified person (of any race) is put in such a high position. Evans didn’t earn the position; he was given it by Dooley for two reasons: accommodate racial political correctness and reinforce Dooley’s position as de facto AD and Grand Pooh Bah.
Next time, the AD should be someone with proven UGA program long-term loyalty, 20 + years experience, unquestioned morals/ethics. Dooley is as much to blame for this as Evans. By doing the politically correct thing, Dooley did exactly the wrong thing — for UGA and for Evans.
Tom
July 6th, 2010
11:27 am
Is the name of that other womanizing drunk still next to the great Harry Mehre’s on the front of the UGAA building? If it is, why was Damon shown the door?
Hypocrites.
Obama caused...............(Oh hell it's all his fault)
July 6th, 2010
11:35 am
Dang it. Another “Thug” got arrested!!! For shooting fireworks!!!!!! Fire everyone.
BTW what ever happened to the tech guys that almost burned themselves to death?
Just Asking ?
July 6th, 2010
11:37 am
Was the $90,000 2009 BMW 750i a vehicle provided for his use by UGA ?
…….I hope not.
I agree
July 6th, 2010
11:40 am
SEC Football
Maven,
…………..You are absolutely correct.
Crimedog
July 6th, 2010
11:49 am
Dooley was fired because he refused to appoint the gym coach, who was living with married Regent Lebron, as assistant AD. Dooley had absolutely nothing to do with the hiring of Evans. Adams hired Evans to add to the politically-correct block on his resume. Adams’ political hires have not worked out, but this fact hasn’t fazed Mickey in the least.
Obama caused...............(Oh hell it's all his fault)
July 6th, 2010
11:50 am
Can you give me any other examples of PC? Damon was hired did a great job. No Issues. No Complaints. Was his only sin being Black?
Let’s see. He ushered in more Money than UA, UF, UT, GT, ETC ETC more than Vince (Love Him to Death) ever did. But he was not qualified?
What makes you “qualified” to judge his qualifications? Your donations? Your Ethnicity? Your Superior attitude?
I’m just asking..
Obama caused...............(Oh hell it's all his fault)
July 6th, 2010
11:55 am
@ Crimedog
What is the politcally correct Block of hires? I really do want to understand?
What other hire was there? What groundswell was there to hire a Black AD? I never heard any. We were just as shocked as you were. But obviously Adams knew what he was doing. Because DE did a great job professionally.
Now his personal life is another story.
Help me out please? I always strive to understand the other sides view point!
Face it Dixie is dead and gone!!!
July 6th, 2010
11:57 am
nuff said
Yeahcomeon.
July 6th, 2010
12:05 pm
Mr. Evans forgot that he was not bigger than the institution. But I’m surprised that you doggie fans aren’t excited about his fall- now you can go back to business as usual in completely trashing your school campus with garbage, liquor bottles, beer cans, feces, urine, and everything else you leave behind to show your true classless colors. Plus, you don’t have to worry about watching that buzz killing ‘Public Service Announcement’ before kick off every home game. You should be grateful that maybe you can get back to ‘business as usual’ in Athens!
Mr. Evans didn’t make a mistake. He deserves all the ‘kind’ words that have been posted about his episode because he showed his true character. I hope Mrs. Evans puts on her best pair of Hobnail Boots and gives him what he’s got coming. Shameful!
Ignorant WVEE FM Listener
July 6th, 2010
12:07 pm
Damon Evans!
Let all these haters be your motivators!
These haters don’t realize they only make you STRONGER!!!!
Keep your head up D E !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Paul in RDU
July 6th, 2010
12:08 pm
Interesting comment by Adams when talking about Evans leaving
“…including an increased focus on the academic success of student-athletes…”
I presume that he’s implying that Dooley had a “lessened focus” on the academic success of student-athletes.
Face it Dixie is dead and gone!!!
July 6th, 2010
12:14 pm
Paul he didn’t have the same focus! I was there. And if our parents didn’t care, the school didn’t care past staying eligble.
Clever Hannity Listener
July 6th, 2010
12:15 pm
It’s Obama’s fault.
SSIgator
July 6th, 2010
12:22 pm
Now another arrest of a UGA football player – because he did not give his middle name to the police officer after being caught shooting off fireworks. Question – Did he not know it? Or is there now a crackdown in Athens to get rid of the sub-standard iq’s on the football team? Either way UGA in the summer certainly entertains – it is the gift that keeps on giving.
Clever Hannity Listener
July 6th, 2010
12:31 pm
I am not racist!!!! I hired “A” Black Guy!!!!! Some of my best friends are white err i mean Black.
BIG PAPI
July 6th, 2010
12:39 pm
damon was back-up flanker at UGA and majored in finance. he got his MBA from missouri in sports management. he worked as director of eligiblity and compliance for the southeast conference (SEC) in Bham, AL b4 dooley called him back to athens in 1996 to become the asst AD. he worked under dolley until adams pulled the plug and appointed damon the new AD in 2004 and the rest was history.
Russ the Mascot
July 6th, 2010
12:40 pm
How much money do I get when they shove me out the door?? I’m going to talk to my lawyer. This is no way to treat a little dog just because he has a black spot on his a%%!!
AltamahaDawg
July 6th, 2010
12:53 pm
Intersting that McGarity was not even on the short list handed Adams. I have wondered if he was assumed willing back then, why 6 yrs later he still has not moved from his spot as #2 guy. Surely there have been offers.
And BuLLdawg , come see me in a week, and then in a month , and tell me how big this story is. How bout that. Not sure where the University has any hypocrisy in this either. He got fired. I’m sorry you didn’t get your pound of flesh, but you can send him hate mail if you feel better.
And how exactly am I a hypocrite? Everything I said was going to happen in this situation was dead on, right down to the timing. Where did I say something and act or say something the opposite regarding this situation. You do know what Hypocrite means, right. I dont know what gives you the idea that I was the first (if ever) to rush and say anything about Hamilton. To be honest I am not even sure I knew he had a DUI. Just completely fabricating stuff to prove you point as usual. Yey I know goggle “hypocrite” so you get an idea what that really means.
Or…For example, calling a certain player a complete waste of a scholarship only to claim a few month later you were the one, and only one, saying all along how he should have been starting (back in the timeframe we were wasting a scholarship on him according to you). And in doing so scold everybody from jumping on the “bandwagon”. THAT would might pop up in a google search of hypocrite.
Me jumping on Hamilton…..then stating that the University would be able to handle this embarrassing situation and not suffer any damage.r really? Thats what you came up with. You are just grasping at anything to try to get me lately.
I’m not too surprised that you would be one to crybaby about what some rival fans are going to joke about for a while. You are of cource, pretty thin skined.
AltamahaDawg
July 6th, 2010
12:57 pm
Is it a state law to have a middle name? I knew several folks who don’t. What did the boys ID say?
5IML
July 6th, 2010
1:11 pm
Regardless of his after hour indiscretions, Damon did a great job as AD of UGA. For those who disagree, let us wait and see where his replacement takes UGA in the next couple of years. I hope she was worth it, and I hope Damon was drinking topshelf.
WTF
July 6th, 2010
1:32 pm
I want a job where I can screw up that badly and get a bonus! I know he did some great things at Georgia but what real choice did they have? They could have stuck with him but when you’re the AD of a major SEC school (same as a CEO over a large company) you can’t act that idiotic.
Diehard
July 6th, 2010
1:47 pm
Damon has given “panty raid” a whole new meaning for the Bulldog Nation. It will go down in sports history as the fastest and most expensive (personally) panty raid ever. Thanks for the memories, Damon. Wonder where your seats will be at the home opener?
Kat
July 6th, 2010
1:48 pm
UGA player’s charges may be dropped. Police chief calls football player’s arrest ‘breakdown in communications.’
Now you guys can leave this little freshman alone.
McDawg
July 6th, 2010
2:20 pm
Folks, I’m as disappointed and upset about this situation as all the other Dawgs out there. But let’s set two things straight. Damon didn’t just make a “mistake”. A mistake is when you multiply 2 times 3 and get 8. He made some terrible CHOICES with his life. Many of the choices we make in life have consequences, and the consequences of his terrible choices were that he lost his job, as he should have, badly hurt his alma mater, and caused untold damage to his family and his marriage.
The other point that needs to be straightened out is that most of us Dawgs do not feel that his selection as AD 6 years ago was done out of mere political correctness. While I thought it was terrible how Adams treated Vince Dooley during that time, Damon Evans proved to be a good AD. He showed himself to not only be a capable leader, but an excellent administrator during these last 6 years, and had apparently not given anybody reason to question his personal life until this happened. Which makes his incredibly quick fall from grace all the more incredible. What a sad ending to a troubling episode!
Clever Hannity Listener
July 6th, 2010
2:22 pm
@ Russ the Mascot. It’s your fault. You were the “other Affirmative Action’ Hire (black spot) they were talking about. Dang it!
What were your qualifications to replace Uga.. Speaking of that where were you on the night Uga passed away? I know you did a great while on the Job, but you obviously got it because your @ss (no pun intended) is not white
Answer me you half
Bring back the White Sheets, Dixie, and Jim Crow!
July 6th, 2010
2:25 pm
Yea Russ where were you?
Old Gold
July 6th, 2010
2:35 pm
Enter your comments here
Old Gold
July 6th, 2010
2:36 pm
Enter your comment here
Old Gold
July 6th, 2010
2:37 pm
Over never mind. This computer is just too complicated for me.
AltamahaDawg
July 6th, 2010
2:48 pm
come on man, give it another shot.
The Autobiography of Damon Evans
July 6th, 2010
2:49 pm
DAMON EVANS: When “Keeping It Real” Goes Wrong