Damon Evans said on Saturday that because the athletic director position just came open at Georgia State he hasn’t had time to give it much thought. But he thinks it would be an attractive job for any candidate.
“It’s a good position,” he said. “There are opportunities to do good things. We’ll see how things play out.”
Evans played football at Georgia and succeeded Vince Dooley as athletic director at the school in 2004. During his tenure, he oversaw the expansion of a $40 million renovation of the Butts-Mehre football facility, a renovation of the track and field facility, as well as the plans to renovate and expand Stegeman Coliseum. Record were also set for fundraising and donations in various years. Teams won 19 conference titles and 12 national championships while he was athletic director.
He resigned in 2010 following an arrest for DUI. Evans works for IMG College and lives in Charlotte. Evans said he hasn't ruled out a return to being an athletic director because "you never say never."
Evans said he has known outgoing Georgia State athletic director Cheryl Levick for many years and has a great respect for her. Levick announced on Friday that she will leave her post as Georgia State’s athletic director after five years to take a role as a special assistant to university president Mark Becker on July 1. He said on Friday that he hopes to have the next athletic director in place by the end of August.
In addition to running the department, Becker needs someone to contribute to the efforts to plan the Turner Field proposal, and to continue the fund-raising efforts to build the strength and conditioning facility for football, the practice courts for basketball and the academic advisement center for the entire athletics department.
Becker said on Friday it’s premature to discuss any candidates for the position. He will use a search firm, but didn’t say which one will be used.
Evans said he hasn’t been contacted by anyone at Georgia State. He is bullish on the school’s potential.
“Georgia State is attractive,” he said. “It’s in a state with great football, fans who are passionate about football; you have an opportunity to do some good things.”
He has heard about a few of the details about Georgia State’s proposal to develop Turner Field into a multi-purpose facility, which is another of the ideas that he said makes the job and the university attractive for any candidate.
“It will take the right individual to get into the position, who understands the area, who knows what it takes to be successful in football and athletics, and understands the culture,” Evans said. “When you get the right mix, you can do some great things with that program.”
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