Season will open with Russ, not Uga VIII, as mascot

“We’ll be fine. Russ will do his job,” Evans said at the SEC spring meetings Wednesday. “We’re fortunate to have a family like the Seilers who ... are always able to provide us with a good quality dog, and they will do so again this year.”

Seiler has identified several puppies -- offspring of the Uga VI line -- as candidates to become Uga VIII, but none will be big enough by the start of the season. Puppies in a new litter due this month also might be considered.

“I think he wants to ease [the dog] into the season, like we do freshmen sometimes,” Adams said.

So, Russ’ reign will last a bit longer.

He filled in after Uga VII died  in November, serving as the mascot for an upset win at Georgia Tech and an Independence Bowl victory over Texas A&M. Seiler has said Russ is too old to be considered for the position of Uga VIII; a younger dog is preferred to increase the chances of a long tenure.

The issue of the next Uga is no small matter in Bulldog Nation. In fact, Adams said with a laugh, the UGA presidency is “one of the few gigs in the world where you’re always second place to a dog.”