UGA's Evans: Richt ‘will lead us through this adversity'

By Tim Tucker

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

ATHENS -- Georgia athletics director Damon Evans said Wednesday that the stormy reaction of UGA fans to the Bulldogs' 4-4 record is "understandable" but expressed confidence that coach Mark Richt "will lead us through this adversity."

"This season has been one that is very, very difficult for us, not what we are used to," said Evans, who called last week's loss to Florida "a sore spot."

Evans echoed Richt's position that the appropriate course of action at this point is to focus on each remaining game -- not on fans' calls for changes to Richt's staff.

"We are in a business that is very public," Evans said in an interview with the AJC. "When things go wrong, there are different reactions that come from people. But our head coach is very good at what he does, and I have the utmost confidence Mark Richt will continue to lead us in the right direction.

"I have confidence in our head coach to make decisions with his program, as I always have. ... I don't think right now is the time for us to talk about staff changes or anything of that nature. What we need to focus on is the task at hand. ... I know [Richt] will evaluate his program at the end of the season, as he always does."

When that time comes, Evans said, "I am here to provide advice and things of that nature and to work with him in any way that is appropriate. But I have utmost confidence in [Richt]."

Two one-sided losses in the past three games -- 45-19 to Tennessee and 41-17 to Florida -- have created a firestorm in Bulldog Nation, with many fans calling for defensive coordinator Willie Martinez and/or others to be replaced.

"All programs go through a level of adversity," Evans said, "and I believe [Richt] will lead us through this adversity we are experiencing. And I believe there are better days to come."

Evans acknowledged the sting of another ugly loss to Florida, which has beaten Georgia in 17 of the past 20 games.

"It is a sore spot," Evans said. "I don't like to lose. I am a very competitive person. You got to give credit to Florida; they have come out and put together a good run against us. I'd sure like to be on the winning side of it.

"But I'm not going to lose faith in the fact that we will be able to compete with that program. ... We have to compete with that program."

Georgia has its worst record at this point in a season since 1996.

"Of course the Bulldog Nation [is] not satisfied with where we are this season," Evans said. "They are passionate about the Bulldogs, which I'm grateful for. Their expectations for our football program are high because we have high expectations for ourselves. ... People are down about this season and where we are, and that's understandable and to be expected.

"But we are going to focus on our next opponent ... and try to finish out this season on a positive note."