Florida’s McGarity and former NFL exec are among 49 applicants for UGA AD job
ATHENS – Florida associate athletic director Greg McGarity and long-time NFL executive Jim Steeg are among 49 people who have asked to be considered for the vacant athletic-director position at the University of Georgia.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Thursday obtained, under Georgia’s Open Records Act, copies of e-mails, letters and resumes submitted to UGA by McGarity, Steeg and others applying for the position vacated by the resignation last month of Damon Evans.
McGarity — an Athens native, a UGA graduate and the No. 2 athletics official at Florida -– made a pitch for the job in a letter to Tom Gausvik, UGA’s associate vice president for human resources.
“I have been very fortunate to work alongside the very best in collegiate athletics at two outstanding institutions, the University of Georgia and the University of Florida, over the last three decades,” McGarity wrote. “I know what it takes to lead and direct an athletic program at the highest level, and am ready to lead the University of Georgia Athletic Association into the future.
“I look forward to having the opportunity to compete for this position.”
Steeg, who recently resigned as president of the NFL’s San Diego Chargers, wrote to UGA President Michael Adams, asking to be considered for the job despite having no experience in college athletics.
“I have read that you are looking to fill the opening … with someone with intercollegiate experience,” Steeg wrote to Adams. “I would like to offer an alternative that can continue the success the University of Georgia has had, but can take the department to greater success.
“Although I have not worked in intercollegiate athletics, I believe that my managerial skills, interpersonal skills and professional contacts are not only transferable, but can bring a unique perspective.”
Before joining the Chargers, Steeg worked 26 years in the NFL office, where he was senior vice president in charge of special events, including the Super Bowl.
Also expressing interest in the Georgia position: businessman Mark Lewis, a former UGA football player who is the son of former Georgia Tech head football coach (and former Georgia assistant coach) Bill Lewis.
Mark Lewis interviewed for the Georgia AD job before Evans was hired in 2003. At the time, Lewis was vice president for Olympic sponsorships at General Electric. He now is president of Jet Set Sports, a provider of Olympic hospitality packages.
Among others who have sent in application materials are Steve Dennis, athletic director at Troy and a former Georgia football player and assistant coach; Lin Dawson, athletic director at Grambling; and Bill Schmidt, president of a sports marketing company in Knoxville and a former executive with Gatorade.
Many of the people who have contacted UGA about the job have little or no background in sports management. Applications have come from lawyers, sales managers and chief financial officers, among others.
The documents obtained by the AJC also include some letters of recommendation for candidates.
U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Ga., wrote to Adams to “enthusiastically recommend” McGarity. “He is ready to get back to his hometown and to serve his alma mater in this distinguished position,” Kingston wrote.
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178 comments Add your comment
Vince Dooley
August 6th, 2010
2:11 pm
First…
Jessie Jackson
August 6th, 2010
2:13 pm
Unless a Black person is selected for this job…I will be forced to protest the white power structure at UGA. Give a brother a chance.
Bring Back Vince!
August 6th, 2010
2:19 pm
Vince Dooley is the best choice—they need to dump the worthless michael adams and get Dooley back, who knows football. He will not put up with this mediocrity in football any longer!
SKB
August 6th, 2010
2:29 pm
McGarity is a good pick, and Adam is a fool if he doesn’t pick him. Maybe he will pick another red panty alcoholic to be a replacement?
Dawg Trainer
August 6th, 2010
2:30 pm
Perfect time to think outside the box, Dawgs. I nominate the Sudanese Madman, Abdullah the Butcher. Abby can open up another one of his rib joints in Athens and fatten up your linemen…and is a lead pipe cinch to kick Jeremy Foley’s ass in a Steel Cage Match during halftime of the WLCP. Plus, it’ll take a gallon (or two) of liquor to get Abdullah tanked up enough to get cited for DUI! Win-win for all involved!
Trizzle
August 6th, 2010
2:55 pm
would hate to see the Gators lose a great AD, but if this move for him would be better, then good for him. We will still beat the Dawgs:) Sorry guys..but it’s true.
President Adams
August 6th, 2010
2:59 pm
Dear Bulldogs, as you know…I am the President of this fine University. I am therefore, in charge of hiring the best man/woman for the job. A person, who will understand that the Athletics dept. is only an extension of this fine University..of which I am in charge. I am humbled to be your President and will hire the person who shares my vision of the Athletic department being simply a tool for this fine University to raise funds in order to provide only the finest education. This person should consult me in all of big Athletic decisions, like who will replace Mark Richt in a year or 2. As the President it is only fair that I have veto power in all of the decisions that pertain to this fine University.
Sincerely,
President Adams
truthsayer
August 6th, 2010
3:32 pm
How about Janet Reno as AD? Plus she has four years of eligibility remaining and could shore up the defensive line.
BG
August 6th, 2010
6:41 pm
I hope Mr. Adams will do the right thing and hire Mr.Greg McGarity.
BG
August 6th, 2010
6:43 pm
Trizzle the series between GA and Fla did not start in 1990.
Somethings Missing Here
August 6th, 2010
7:32 pm
Where are the WOMEN Candidates?
There are many qualified women who would do GEORGIA PROUD.
johnny t-bone
August 6th, 2010
7:47 pm
Did you people read who is available?
Steeg is the best person for the job hands down.
So what that McGarity wants the job(they all want the job), or is from Athens, or has been the asst AD at UF, or is a UGA grad and has a political person recommening him? These things are incidental to what should be most important to UGA, which is building a successful future.
Step out of your tiny little amatuer, backwoods, redneck, good ole boy mindest, and look a little deeper for real talent. If you really want UGA to be a better program in the future, Steeg is a much better choice than McGarity. McGarity wasn’t even Man enough to send his resume to Adams – FAIL. And the biggest fail was US Rep Kingston throwing around his weight pushing for McGarity. That in itself should be a huge warning sign that McGarity is the WRONG choice.
joedog
August 7th, 2010
8:11 am
Bring Evans back. The dogs deserve him. He is already tainted, and knows how to do the job. McGarity won’t have to suffer and be fired later, he deserves better than the dogs.
Headlinin’: Trojan-on-Trojan violence sidelines USC starter |
August 7th, 2010
12:21 pm
[...] • Everybody wants to rule the Dawgs. Georgia has received 49 applications to replace disgraced athletic director Damon Evans, but only two make the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s lede: Former San Diego Chargers vice president Jim Steeg and Florida assistant AD Greg McGarity, an Athens native and UGA grad who quickly emerged as the odds-on favorite after Evans’ departure in the wake an embarrassing DUI arrest last month. McGarity’s personal pitch to the university was accompanied by an "enthusiastic" endorsement from U.S. Rep. Jack Kingston. (If you think you’ve got what it takes, you can apply for the job here.) [Atlanta Journal-Constitution] [...]
Army of the Gators
August 7th, 2010
1:41 pm
As a GATOR… Mr. McGarity should be your 1ST Choice for your AD position.He has done wonderful and great things as a true professional here at UF,and will be missed when he departs.Yes, he will be your new AD!
TO HELL TO HELL TO HELL WITH MERCER!!!
August 7th, 2010
1:59 pm
THE CESSPOOL OF SOUTH GEORGIA!!!
FOUR BITS: Patriots, Cooper, McCray, McGarity | ONLY GATORS Get … | Bulldogs 411
August 7th, 2010
5:04 pm
[...] » As expected, University of Florida executive senior associate athletic director Greg McGarity is one of 49 people who have put their name in the hat to be the next Georgia Bulldogs athletic director. McGarity, who [...]
Kris G
August 7th, 2010
8:49 pm
Listen to you nutjobs pretending that Damon Evans never did a good job… He was an excellent AD. He was a terrible playa. True playaz, we all know, never get caught. Lookin’ at you Vince…
OtisforUGA
August 7th, 2010
10:00 pm
Jon Babul a (GT grad) but I will give him a pass on that because of his character, values and commitment to excellence. I dont even know if he applied but he should be contacted.
Keep the Geek!
August 7th, 2010
10:57 pm
Keep that accountant as AD! He’ll make sure the debits equal the credits, the balance sheet balances and the UGA ath dept income statement shows a big fat profit! Geeks rule baby!!!!
Big D Dawg
August 8th, 2010
1:50 am
where’s the days to football kickoff countdown on the AJC sports site?
Hire Back Damon
August 8th, 2010
11:08 am
Damon wants his job back and his girlfriend wants her red panties back! Come on UGA—get it done! Damon’s the man!!!
BJ
August 8th, 2010
1:51 pm
As a Troy alumnus and born and raised Georgian, I would hate to see Steve Dennis leave Troy. He has done a phenomenal job there. Since he has been on board the Troy football has won 5 straight conference titles with 3 bowl appearances, state of the art facilities including a new basketball arena in 2011, renovated baseball stadium, and plans to expand Veterans Memorial Stadium. He is a man of integrity and leadership. He is a great candidate for the UGA job.
No to troy
August 8th, 2010
10:01 pm
No way a big time athletic program hires an AD from a little, small time program like Troy. Mark it down–UGA is hiring mcgarity at UF—he knows the big time and can make the needed changes at UGA to start winning big.
Dawg Stephen
August 9th, 2010
10:03 am
Lets see, a new Defensive Coordinator, a new Quarterback, key linebackers missing, secondary that needs to cover better…one team gets a 21st ranking while an over rated, over HYPED florida team with the SAME SCENARIO gets ranked 3rd. 3rd? you kidding me?? 3rd? stupid.
http://dawgstephen.blogspot.com/
More candidates for Georgia’s AD job, and a strong endorsement for McGarity « Totaluga.com
August 12th, 2010
4:12 am
[...] you missed it, here’s my story from late yesterday on 49 people applying for the UGA athletic director job, including, to name a [...]
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[...] This time around, Greg McGarity has been selected over 48 other candidates. [...]
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August 18th, 2010
4:43 pm
[...] of the names, including McGarity’s, were released Aug. 5 in response to a previous request by the [...]