Mark Richt bought himself a couple years—at least—when he fired his defensive staff and hired the NFL minded Todd Grantham to install the 3-4 defense. So far, the word has been good out of Athens as both the players and the coaches are excited about the possibilities of playing an attacking-style defense 'Tween The Hedges' this year.
Even more, the attention given to keeping the state's best talent from leaving to play elsewhere has been a boon in Georgia's recruiting efforts thus far—13 players have already given their commitment to play for the Bulldogs in 2011.
However, in the blink of an eye, all of the good will that has been created by the positives were overshadowed dramatically by the actions of the, now former, Georgia AD Damon Evans. His DUI, potential infidelity, and overall bad publicity has brought his tenure to an end and the next question, if you are a fervent supporter of coach Mark Richt, has to be what will happen to him now?
Admittedly, it's a question that crossed my mind almost immediately after the Evans situation first came to light and I wasn't the only one.
Despite his recent indiscretions, Evans was a good AD for Georgia and he was a strong supporter of Mark Richt. He essentially gave Richt a blank check in his search for a new defensive coordinator and offered his firm support for 2010 and beyond as Richt set forward on a path towards recreating the Georgia football program in a light that would be much brighter than the one that's shone over the last two.
Now, with Evans out, will Mark Richt find that his timetable for success has been set on a faster track? After all, the new AD isn't likely to have any ties to Richt, Georgia Bulldogs football, or Vince Dooley (Evan's mentor). The next AD will most likely make the decision that makes the most sense for the bottom line—loyalties aside.
Furthermore, will Michael Adams be able to set aside his perceived need for a "Yes Man" in order to find an AD who is willing to go the extra mile to make Georgia football not only profitable but successful as well?
Some interesting candidates are already being kicked around, at least in the internet world, but nothing is expected to be done soon as a nationwide campaign is possible in determining the next man for this job. That said, can Georgia fans guarantee that the next AD will get along as famously with Richt as Evans did?
In the end, it's easy to predict that the good times will keep rolling but, from my perspective, this change could be as much for the bad as the good.
What say you, Bulldog/SEC nation? Could coach Richt be in trouble if Michael Adams tabs the wrong man for the job this time around?
(This article appears courtesy of The Lady Sportswriter)
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