Richt shares thoughts on Evans’ arrest, resignation
ATHENS — Georgia football coach Mark Richt met with a few reporters in the atrium of the Butts-Mehre building late this afternoon and talked publicly for the first time about the arrest and resignation of Damon Evans. Richt expressed sadness for Evans and his family, endorsed the selection of Frank Crumley as interim athletics director and expressed confidence that UGA President Michael Adams will make a wise decision on Evans’ permanent successor.
Following are excerpts from the conversation with Richt.
His general feelings about what has happened:
“I do feel for Damon and his family. I’ve been working with Damon for almost 10 years now. I had a very good working relationship with Damon and a very good personal relationship, too, with him and his family. I’m definitely sad for everyone from that regard.
“Moving forward, I think President Adams has done a really very fine job of handling the situation the way he did. I think having Frank Crumley as the interim AD right now makes the most sense. Frank is a very, very sharp guy. We’ve got a lot of sharp people in our association. Everybody is very, very capable of doing their job or basically continuing to do their job because I don’t see anything that is really going to change in the way we go about our day-to-day business. I’ve got a lot of faith in Frank’s ability to lead. . . .
“We’re just going to go on with life and take care of business. Our football staff and our football team –- I think everyone is saddened by the news of losing Damon because he has done a bunch of wonderful things for us. He has been an outstanding athletic director. But we all know we’ve got a job to do and an exciting season ahead of us, and we are very excited about moving forward. And this situation, as sad as it was, we don’t believe it will hinder us from going where we want to go and doing the things that we want to do. So we’re focusing on that right now.”
Asked if he has spoken with Evans:
“Actually, we exchanged voice mails. Seems like every time I called him he wasn’t able to pick up, and vice versa. Nothing that I would want to divulge, nothing earth-shattering, but just talking about the situation as best you can through a series of a couple of messages we left for each other.”
On a permanent successor to Evans:
“I do have a lot of confidence in President Adams’ ability to hire a new person who will get the job done and get the job done well. I know Georgia is one of the finest universities in this country, and our athletic program has got to be one of the top five in America in my opinion. So it is a job that a lot of people would be interested in, a lot of quality people. And whoever the president decides on, I’ll support that person and we’ll be ready to move forward.”
His initial reaction upon hearing the news of Evans’ arrest:
“I didn’t really know how to react. Because when you’re not there and when you don’t know everything that happened, you hear DUI and that’s certainly a very serious thing. But I really didn’t try to make — I didn’t and still won’t make any kind of judgment on it, but I knew it was serious. I knew that.”
On whether the negative attention on Georgia could adversely affect recruiting:
“I don’t think so. Georgia is an awesome place; it’s a beautiful campus; we’re in a wonderful city; we’ve got tremendous academics here; we’ve got a great athletic program. I think people see that and people want to be a part of that, so I don’t think it’s going to become a problem that way.”
And on speculation about how a new AD might affect Mark Richt’s future:
“I don’t worry about those things, I really don’t. My focus is to do my job, and my focus is to be obedient to my Lord and Savior. That’s kind of what I do. And if that is good enough, great.”
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304 comments Add your comment
War Eagle Man
July 7th, 2010
8:32 pm
Wait a minute I can see POAD, five foot nothing, thick glasses, 35 years old. never been married, no dates, same two friends since junior high, living in his mothers basement bloging and beating to internet porn wishing he had graduated before he was caught peeping in the women’s bathroom at Agnes Scott’s weight lifting team.
Paul
July 7th, 2010
8:32 pm
POAD is an absolute idiot! Ref: “54-42 and UGA had 2 first round draft picks on that TEAM.”
Please answer the question – why are there no videos/coverage of the 51-7 beat down? I’ll offer a clue, POAD boy….Google is controlled by GT.
As I stated earlier, had UGA been coached by a go-for-the-points coach a la Saban or Meyer, the score would have been off the chart and you know it. I’m glad it still hurts, POAD boy. Heck, 51-7 is bad enough but do you remember when UGA had the nerds 48-0? That’s when CMR allowed the nerds to score and only then. Should have been 72-0. GT got their hind ends handed to them in that game. GT=wuss. Period.
DawginOH
July 7th, 2010
8:34 pm
Andrew- GATA is short for “Get After Their Asses.” It was coined by former UGA defensive coordinator Erk Russell. Can’t exactly give you the year, though. Anyone else out there know?
Perry Mason
July 7th, 2010
8:38 pm
Coach Richt could be my wing man anyday. He is and has always been a class act and you know where you stand with him and he lets you know where he stands.
cadawg
July 7th, 2010
8:43 pm
@wiley: thank you for your lucid and sensible posts.
trueUGAfan
July 7th, 2010
8:44 pm
souljaboy, you gotto be the DUMBEST MOFO to ever comment on these blogs…answer me this souljaboy who is responsible for all the dumb a$$ !@#t you’ve done in your lifetime? grow the F%*& up lil boy!!!
DIT
July 7th, 2010
8:48 pm
It always cracks me up when Tech people come on here and brag about the one football win they have had in 9 years….. Please keep it coming, you totally have me stictches. Even people from other institutes laugh at you.
It would be just as bad if a Dawg fan bragged on the score from 3 years ago against UF and said that we own them. NO ONE on here states that we own UF even if the overall record is in UGA’s favor.
I tell the Techies, “Win two in a row then pop off”
Go Dawgs!
ole leather-head
July 7th, 2010
8:49 pm
What’s the frequency, Kenneth?
Mary Bell
July 7th, 2010
8:50 pm
what a funny story, tries to influence the police to let him ‘off’ all the while has his girlfriend’s panties in his lap, what a loser! Hope your wife gives you the boot!
guy
July 7th, 2010
8:51 pm
Don’t question the wisdom of a man of God like CMR. When the roll is called up yonder CMR will be there for sure. Get our houses in order!
GR82BAG8R
July 7th, 2010
8:54 pm
DIT, you gotta admit, that 45-42 win was especially gratifying for them, since Tech had lost 7 in a row. Georgia was pre-season #1 and ended up losing to a team that had the highest SAT scores of any public university in the country. Nothing like losing to the smart kids.
uga alum 93
July 7th, 2010
8:56 pm
Didn’t Tech just have a defensive lineman kicked off the team for beating up his girlfriend? Any school that has had Reuben Houston enrolled on its campus has no room to talk.
ATL Dawg
July 7th, 2010
8:57 pm
For all that is questioning coach Richt’s comments about religion you may want to just keep your judgements to yourself. Remember that you to one day will be judged – and judged by the All Mighty.
DIT
July 7th, 2010
8:57 pm
Well sure it was, but that does not constitute “owning” someone. Say we beat the gators this year. We would still not own them. Let’s win 2 in a row before that talk starts. That is my point.
GR82BAG8R
July 7th, 2010
9:02 pm
DIT, in football, Georgia owns Tech, plain and simple. The record speaks for itself. Given Tech’s academic limitations on who they can recruit, Johnson’s system is probably the best they can hope for. They will never have a stable of blue chip athletes, like many SEC teams. Georgia has consistently had superior talent to Tech. It is surprising that over the years, the games have been competitive at all, given the disparity in talent.
ACA
July 7th, 2010
9:03 pm
They should just do away with the Georgia Tech football program.
Dawgs Run This State
July 7th, 2010
9:04 pm
2002 season highlights… Including the 51-7 drubbing of tech
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLSQ6BsdQSs
dagnabit
July 7th, 2010
9:07 pm
Don’t question the wisdom of a man of god like a priest when he’s pulling your pants down dawg fan.
dagnabit
July 7th, 2010
9:12 pm
My point is beware anyone who wears his christianity on his sleeve.
UGAKev
July 7th, 2010
9:19 pm
Hey Gators, How come your team just won a national title two years ago and only lost one game last year and UGA is still number two only behind the huge university of TEXAS in football sales. The fact you have beat us 17 out of 20 past seasons and I still feel like we somehow get under your skin…
. The fact that the greatest college football player to ever step on the field played for the university of Georgia, the fact that UGA has the greatest mascot in the rich tradition of college football and Sanford stadiums beauty can never be matched. I really do understand why even after your recent dominance over us the past two decades how we still bother you so much and the rest of the haters from other teams. Whats going to happen once the wind changes back in our direction Gator fans? What will you possibly be able to say to us?? Atleast even when Georgia is not on top, when we put on that red and black on a saturday whether we are 0-12 or 12-0 we know what it is all about. There is nothing like it and that is why The university of georgia will NEVER be irrelevent to college football as much as all you haters would love. The hatred towards the university of Georgia is simply an envy for the passion Georgia fans have for their team win or lose….. Go DAWGS!!!
POAD
July 7th, 2010
9:21 pm
Thanks GR82BAG8R the war chicken didn’t get it. I am not talking about wins 5-6 yrs ago because that is all Tech has. I was talking about the last time Tech and Clemson minus the Lake aka. AUBURN played Tech. Reggie looked great in both of those game compared to Jason “Crunched Can of Campbell Soup” Ex Washington Redskins QB. And now GATA means “Get After Those Assets” signed Mrs. Evans.
POOP I guess DAMON didn’t learn the Party Time Work Time thing while he was at UGA right?
Paul if TECH people control Google you better be very very scared. Google is huge and Tech people can control it I guess Tech people do have the POWER. We know where your trailer home is and we know the Porno you are looking at.
War Chicken: 5′11″ 185 just had the eye test and still 15 20. I can still wear my clothes from my college days. No Gut or Fat Butt. Never been married you are correct. I run my business, I OWN my home and the 50 acres it is on. I own My Cars. I do carry some credit card debt but that is for the business. Friends you maybe correct I have actually 4 People I can call for anything or truly Trust with my LIFE. I have know 1 since I was 7 yrs old, 1 I went to High School with, 1 I met in colege when we smoked POT together, and 1 that I was engaged to his sister. I feel very Blessed to have these people in my life. My Girlfriend/FRIEND is a female Body Builder. She is 5′6″ 155 and has bigger arms than I do. i am secure in that fact. I want call you out I will be the TECH NERD and let my Lady Friend kick your Butt. I am sure the Dawg and Bama fans would love to see that too.
Ole Leather Head I think all UGA fan can hear right now is STATIC no mater the Frequency they tune in.
17-3
July 7th, 2010
9:22 pm
Richt—nice guy. But, look for another florida blowout this year. FL’s loaded on offense–better than last year. Brantley will be all SEC—mark it down! Gators win: 38-13!
Waiting to See
July 7th, 2010
9:24 pm
I wonder, if UGA were to win only 6 or 7 games this year, and get blown out by FL, again, would all these people making comments about how great it is to have Richt as the UGA coach, would they still be making those same comments? No one has ever, to my knowledge, said that Richt is not a fine person and a sterling character. But what has that do do with beating FL or any other team?
GetwhatUpayfor
July 7th, 2010
9:27 pm
Great Coach with everything in order. Go Dawgs!
Rick
July 7th, 2010
9:28 pm
chamblee54 you are an ignorant jacka$$.
Billy O
July 7th, 2010
9:32 pm
I’m so glad CMR is our coach. A man of character, a man of his word, a role model for our players, a wonderful father and husband and a great coach. But more important than that he is a man of God. What more could you ask for? And for you guys who want to point at the players for doing dum things……that’s what kids do. It is their parents responsibility to shape and train their kids. CMR does set the proper example and he just demonstrated that with Damon Evans…GO DAWGS!
POAD
July 7th, 2010
9:32 pm
Waiting to See Richt still has Bobo calling plays. So, anything is possible. The Dawg Schedule is so easy I think Logan G. could win 7 games. 3 EZ OOC games is a great start. UGA always beats USC add Miss State, Vandy, and Kentucky and there are 7 wins. UGA Auburn is always a weird game & the Vols are still a question with a new staff but some good talent. What will the Dooley factor do to the game?
Browndog
July 7th, 2010
9:33 pm
I think CMR is a good coach and a better person. UGA is lucky to have him and he will prove he is a good coach this season. UGA always plays best when little is expected of them. The D will be better based on effort alone and Murray will do his job and protect the ball. The season will be determined by the O line and I think they will be excellent and allow the rushing game to explode. Teams will not look forward to playing UGA this year!
POAD
July 7th, 2010
9:36 pm
UGAKEV it isn’t envy it is Hate based on your A..Hole fans that never attended the college and can’t afford season tickets, but they can get a Hat and Tshirt at any truck stop. Don’t forget to make sure that new hat is Camo patterned with the pretty girl pink G.
The Exterminator
July 7th, 2010
9:38 pm
Shut up bugs and go to work for a UGA grad so you can save up enough money to move out of your parents’ basement and maybe put down the Dungeons and Dragons and actually go out in public and kiss a girl besides your mother.
Is Tech thinking of starting a football program any time soon?
Now get back to your post behind the counter at the QuikTrip. Bugs.
POAD
July 7th, 2010
9:44 pm
Note to Self—– Never tease your Akita Chow mix with the weekends leftover Ribs and Rib Bones. You may need those fingers later to post crap about the Drunkyard Dawgs wearing Panties.
I do truly hope All had a great Holiday Weekend. I hope you and yours were safe and happy. This just talking crap about a GAME after all.
Damon your wife is beautiful so WTF were you thinking?
bonniehwrd
July 7th, 2010
9:47 pm
Mark Richt is a man of integrity. God will honor his obedience to Him. Thanks, Coach Richt
POAD
July 7th, 2010
9:47 pm
Exterminator I saw you on A&E. Wow you are a RED RED REDNECK from Weezyanna. You need to call the Regents and see if you can get the contract to rid UGA of all the rats in their Corporate buildings. I mean the University Buildings.
TechBuzz
July 7th, 2010
10:09 pm
Instead of worrying about damon evans, richt better start worrying about Florida and Georgia Tech. Tech’s loaded and will beat georgia like a rented mule this year in Athens—bank on it.
Fan since 1977
July 7th, 2010
10:10 pm
Braves win! Braves win!
Oh, crap, wrong blog…
F i r e Richt
July 7th, 2010
10:15 pm
time rebuild. get rid of richt
Otis from Mayberry
July 7th, 2010
10:28 pm
It ain’t about no academics it about who kick who butt on da field. If it was about academics Alabanana and Aweburn would go 0-12 every year
AltamahaDawg
July 7th, 2010
10:28 pm
Actually Chamblee dawg, the subject had changed. Clearly the question was about the idea that a new AD would come in be very quick to want to make coaching changes for the sake of such. Read.
And looking for an opportunity to critisize somebody for mentioing THIER faith, when somebody ask a question about THEM? really?
POAD
July 7th, 2010
10:29 pm
what?
GaDawg
July 7th, 2010
10:31 pm
Gaytard – I’m on this late but here is your list of ranking colleges in the US by the number of Rhodes Scholars. BTW, a Rhodes Scholarship is the highest honor for a graduating senior. So, with that said here’s your list abbreviated (shortened) for you.
1. Harvard – 323
2. Yale – 217
3. Princeton – 192
4. West Point – 85
5. Stanford – 82
SEC Schools
Vanderbilt – 26
Mississippi – 25
Alabama – 23
Georgia – 21
Florida – 12
Other Schools
GA Tech – can’t find Until 2004 none for the last 50 years.
Think, or research, before posting stupid stuff.
col fot
July 7th, 2010
10:33 pm
COACH MARK RICHT-CLASSY AS ALWAYS
The Exterminator
July 7th, 2010
10:42 pm
F I R E Richt –
That is the most ignorant comment I have read. On what do you base such astute commentary?
POAD
July 7th, 2010
10:43 pm
FAKE POAD. Yes I would checkout my mom some 30 yrs ago. Mom is 5′8″ 44DD’s and a beautiful woman.Now, at 68 she is still a looker. I didn’t know my Mom was HOT until 6th grade. We has to take pictures of our parents a work to school. On the Bus kids were sharing the pics. Mom worked for Ga. Power and the photo I took to show women could be anything was cool Mom tah on a Power Pole with a Hard Hat, Shorts, Pole Climbing Leggings, and a White Oxford Shirt tied in a Knot ie. Dasie Duke.
Mom is going throught Chemo & Radiation because her CANCER has returned after 6 yrs. The Docter says it will not be a cure but just a Life extender. Thanks for caring so much to bring my MOM into the BLOG. Damon is in the Blog because he Publicly screwed the ugly pooch. I wiil tell mom you are thinking of her. Thanks and can I includer your prayers for her HEALTH too? I know it would mean a great deal to her FAKE POAD. Relieve Yourself on a Dawg. WOOF WOOF WOOF.
D Fence
July 7th, 2010
10:43 pm
Isnt it time for all you goobers from Tech to make another midnight copy run at the local Fed Ex Office?
POAD
July 7th, 2010
10:45 pm
HAHAHA WE WAS—- MY BAD again the Jack 7 & Ice type faster than the eyes read. AHHAHAH
POAD
July 7th, 2010
10:50 pm
D Fence I love Fed Ex/Zerox. The CEO and Chair”man” of the Board are both Women. You have to respect a company that large (not catering to or started by a woman) to have WOMEN in Charge.
DMACK
July 7th, 2010
10:56 pm
Why do all the YANKEES, Californy WEIRDOs, and others keep complaining and downgrading UGA Academics and Sports Teams but WON’T LEAVE GEORGIA?
AD Stinky Fingers
July 7th, 2010
10:56 pm
My, my, my . . . I love me some cherry pie.
northern transplant
July 7th, 2010
10:58 pm
Believe me, if I could get out of this southern hellhole without lossing money on my house to be away from the bubbas and bros, I would be gone in a heartbeat.
The only place that I have lived in that is more backward was Arkansas.
POAD
July 7th, 2010
11:14 pm
northern A..hole the cost of living is low in the south. Get a loan you acn afford and a car you can pay for. Take loss and MOVE. You are so smart and can crap money with that great northern education so just leave and wait for the house to be foreclosed on. Screw it and walk away. Ain’t that what the auto makers and the banks diod to US?