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Georgia Bulldogs: AD Greg McGarity Takes Ownership of Losing Programs

By W. M. Lawson

Oct 15, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs athletic director Greg McGarity (left) shakes hands with Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart prior to the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs athletic director Greg McGarity (left) shakes hands with Bulldog head coach Kirby Smart prior to the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Georgia Bulldogs have seen a downturn in recent years in terms of athletic prowess and production. Athletic Director Greg McGarity is trying to quell the disquiet in Dawg Nation.

This article isn’t ground breaking. Nor will it dispense or expose little known information or insight into the University of Georgia Bulldogs athletic program. But something of note happened today in St. Simons, and fans everywhere should take notice.

There was much of optimism around the University of Georgia program when Greg McGarity, former Asst. Athletic Director at Florida, was hired to captain the athletic ship at his Alma-mater. The feeling was that he would be both invested, due to his history, and knowledgeable, having come from a winning program. A winning program, no less, that usually wins at UGA’s expense.

With the embarrassing demise and exit of former AD Damon Evans, McGarity was to restore order and bring championships. The former has happened. The latter not so much.

AD Greg Mcgarity gave his annual address to the UGA Athletic Board today. The basic premise was that: 1. He understands that Georgia isn’t doing as well. 2. He takes responsibility. 3. Asked for fans to be “united” and patient. Basically, he was asking us to “Commit to the G”.

I’m not going to list the disappointments over the last few years for Dawg Nation. Nor will this writer give the state of the state of each of those under-performing programs.

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But there are a couple of general ideas to know. McGarity has fired and replaced a number of Head Coaches in and around Athens. None of those replacements has won anything, thus far.

In addition, some of the folks McGarity has fired, have gone on to win and compete for championships.

To that point, the NCAA Director’s Cup is an annual competition used to measure an entire athletic department for a given academic year.

As of today, UGA ranks 24th nationally. It is in danger of finishing outside of the top 20 for the first time in almost two decades.

Make no mistake about it: Damon Evans didn’t leave a healthy program. And this writer has no idea how long it would take to turn an entire athletic department around.

Next: Georgia Bulldogs: Is Lack of QB Depth A Concern for UGA Football?

But I do know that Dawg Nation ain’t happy. If the football and basketball teams under-perform next year, the heat in Athens will get hot. Athens, Georgia this winter will feel like Albany, Georgia in August. And the gnats will be everywhere.

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