One employee fired, another suspended in UGA recruiting office

ajc.com

One member of Georgia’s football recruiting office has been fired and another suspended for 30 days without pay, DawgNation reported Tuesday night, citing unnamed sources.

Dacia King, who is listed as the Bulldogs’ recruiting program coordinator on the team’s website, was dismissed. Lukman Abdulai, who is director of on-campus recruiting, has been placed on a 30-day suspension without pay.

The reason for the actions and whether they are related are not known at this time.

“I’m not talking about any personnel stuff,” Georgia athletic director Greg McGarity said. “Regardless of what the position is, I just don’t comment on personnel decisions or matters. Sorry.”

McGarity declined to comment when asked whether violations of NCAA or SEC rules were involved.

King was hired for her current position in May 2018. A recruiting program coordinator typically serves as a liaison between prospective athletes and the Georgia coaching staff and helps plan visits and set itineraries. She holds double degrees from UGA in marketing and sport management.

Abdulai has been with Georgia since 2013, but was named director of on-campus recruiting in January 2016, shortly after Kirby Smart became head coach. A University of Illinois graduate, Abdulai received a master’s degree in kinesiology from UGA in 2014.