UGA Set To Name Greg McGarity As Next Athletic Director (AD)

It didn't take nearly as long as most Georgia Bulldog fans anticipated, and the choice, at least from the outset, appears to be the one that most fans are more than willing to accept. Greg McGarity, the longtime associate athletic director for the Florida Gators, has reportedly been hired by Michael Adams.

Initially, the search for the next athletic director (AD) was thought to be one that could take up to six months or more. It seemed conceivable that the sports programs would endure an entire season without anyone serving in that capacity—save interim AD, Frank Crumley.

But, as daunting as that sounded, most fans were willing to wait—they didn't want another quick decision.

There were many who felt that former AD, Damon Evans, was hired too quickly in 2004. McGarity was a candidate back then as well, and had more experience, but Michael Adams wanted a guy that he felt comfortable with, who wasn't necessarily a Vince Dooley guy, and who he could say he hand-picked—in short, Adams wanted this hire to be his own.

He got his wish and Evans was hired. However, once Evans resigned after his DUI arrest, it became clear that the next individual to take over the slot would need to be chosen a bit more carefully and, preferably, come into the position with more experience than Evans did back in 2004.

It was at that time that many fans and followers of the Georgia Bulldog football program started rehashing the name of Greg McGarity. He was not only an Athens native, but an alumnus of the University of Georgia and a former friend/colleague of Vince Dooley—the Georgia coaching legend who served as the AD for more than two-decades before being unceremoniously let go by Michael Adams.

It was the latter point about McGarity that made some feel that he would, again, not get a serious look for the job. Adams has long been criticized for his penchant for hiring people who aren't as likely to challenge his authority.

However, after the Evans debacle, Adams may have seen the writing on the wall and might have thought it best to hire a person that the athletic association board members were comfortable with as well—something he didn't necessarily consider when both Damon Evans and Jim Harrick (former mens basketball coach) were hired.

Whatever the reason (because clearly the above is up for some debate), Greg McGarity will bring years of experience and class back to the position.

He has been a key member of Jeremy Foley's staff at the University of Florida over the last decade and played a prominent role in turning the athletic department, particularly the basketball and football programs at Florida, into SEC powers.

Georgia Bulldog fans will probably hear a lot of good-natured ribbing about stealing away a Gator to try and find success, but they'll take the teasing if it means that Georgia can get back to the business of winning big in the SEC.

To read a short bio of McGarity's skills and experience, click here, but expect more to come as the official announcement of his hire is slated for tomorrow.

UGA President Michael Adams Introduces Interim AD (Video)

University of Georgia President, Michael Adams, introduced Frank Crumley as the interim athletic director (AD) today during his regular monthly press conference. Crumley considers the opportunity a chance for him to audition for the job as AD since Adams has not ruled out the possibility of an in-house hire.

President Adams has assigned a six-person committee to be responsible for the search and hopes that the candidate will be found sooner rather than later but he did not rule out the possibility of the process taking six-months or more.

The committee members include:

• David Shipley—Faculty athletic representative and appointed chair of the search committee to find the next AD. Listed below are the members who will be assisting him in this task.

• Swann Seiler—UGA Alumnus (78') and member of the executive board of the athletic association. Also, daughter of Sonny and Cecilia Seiler—the couple responsible for both breeding and caring for the Uga line. Uga is the popular White English Bulldog that the University of Georgia hails as its official mascot.

• Jack Bauerle—UGA Alumnus (75') and current head coach of the Georgia men's swim team. 

• Carla Williams—UGA Alumnus (89') and former member of the Georgia women's basketball team. She currently holds a position within the athletic department as the senior associate athletic director. 

• Tom Landrum—UGA Alumnus (72') and he senior vice president for external affairs. 

• Robert Sinyard— Currently enrolled at UGA and serving as the student representative on the board of the Athletic Association. 

It was initially reported, via Twitter by Zach Klein of WSB-TV on Monday afternoon, that Dr. Adams would use the same search firm responsible for his, coach Mark Fox's, and Damon Evans' hires—Parker Executive Search—to find the next AD for Georgia. However, it would appear that Adams felt that he could entrust this process to the six individuals named above.

Said Adams,"The members of this committee have strong ties to this place and a deep understanding of its history and culture.  I have asked them to move expeditiously on this important task."

Adams also stated that he would be looking outside of the university first and would like a candidate who "...has a very high level of experience."

In the end, it was a very positive step towards moving past the embarrassment that was Damon Evans' misguided actions and a rare moment of Bulldog pride directed toward Michael Adams—he was all class today and deserves a ton of praise.

Below is video from the press conference for those who may not have seen it, followed by the Q & A session held afterwards. The questions are a little hard to hear but the answers give a good gist.  

President Adams' opening remarks and the introduction of Frank Crumley as interim AD:



President Adams takes questions from the press:

With Damon Evans Out As AD, Has Richt's Success Timetable Grown Shorter?

Coach Mark Richt has supposedly been on the proverbial hot seat ever since his 2008, preseason No. 1, football team failed to make a BCS appearance. However, the truth is, Georgia's coach is not on the hot seat at all—yet.

Mark Richt bought himself a couple years—at least—when he fired his defensive staff and hired the NFL minded Todd Grantham to install the 3-4 defense. So far, the word has been good out of Athens as both the players and the coaches are excited about the possibilities of playing an attacking-style defense 'Tween The Hedges' this year.

Even more, the attention given to keeping the state's best talent from leaving to play elsewhere has been a boon in Georgia's recruiting efforts thus far—13 players have already given their commitment to play for the Bulldogs in 2011.

However, in the blink of an eye, all of the good will that has been created by the positives were overshadowed dramatically by the actions of the, now former, Georgia AD Damon Evans. His DUI, potential infidelity, and overall bad publicity has brought his tenure to an end and the next question, if you are a fervent supporter of coach Mark Richt, has to be what will happen to him now?

Admittedly, it's a question that crossed my mind almost immediately after the Evans situation first came to light and I wasn't the only one.

Despite his recent indiscretions, Evans was a good AD for Georgia and he was a strong supporter of Mark Richt. He essentially gave Richt a blank check in his search for a new defensive coordinator and offered his firm support for 2010 and beyond as Richt set forward on a path towards recreating the Georgia football program in a light that would be much brighter than the one that's shone over the last two.

Now, with Evans out, will Mark Richt find that his timetable for success has been set on a faster track? After all, the new AD isn't likely to have any ties to Richt, Georgia Bulldogs football, or Vince Dooley (Evan's mentor). The next AD will most likely make the decision that makes the most sense for the bottom line—loyalties aside.

Furthermore, will Michael Adams be able to set aside his perceived need for a "Yes Man" in order to find an AD who is willing to go the extra mile to make Georgia football not only profitable but successful as well?

Some interesting candidates are already being kicked around, at least in the internet world, but nothing is expected to be done soon as a nationwide campaign is possible in determining the next man for this job. That said, can Georgia fans guarantee that the next AD will get along as famously with Richt as Evans did?

Can we be certain anymore that an 8-5 or 9-3 season will suffice in 2010? How long, or short, will the patience be if the new guy doesn't bleed red and black?

In the end, it's easy to predict that the good times will keep rolling but, from my perspective, this change could be as much for the bad as the good.

What say you, Bulldog/SEC nation? Could coach Richt be in trouble if Michael Adams tabs the wrong man for the job this time around?

(This article appears courtesy of The Lady Sportswriter)