I've read as much as I have time to. And although I was wrong yesterday with my guess that he would resign, I haven't given up on trying to discern how this Evans Scandal plays out. I just care too much...and the stakes could not be any higher.
What we don't know - The two key figures right now are Prez Adams and the media. We may know a lot about how Adams wheels and deals, but Evans is his guy. Hand picked just after Dooley was kicked in the rear, Georgia's AD has been Adams' glamour boy. That relationship should be given serious thought. Because although Adams might find some cleaner, shinier resumes I doubt he'd find a better director for UGAs athletics than the one who's been groomed.
As far as the media, we certainly know that they will drop the gloves (if there's any that are still on). But we don't yet know what's in the report or the videotape. And while both will definitely be harmful for Evans, the question may be...will it live up to the AllJackCrap's expectations?
What we do know - Damon Evans only missed one lesson from Dooley's tutelage - always use a driver. And it doesn't appear he's missed anything Adams' has taught him. He's savvy (when sober) and knows how to play the game. Drinking like a HillBilly punter and carousing like an Alabama spring coach (read: Mike Price in Auburn strip club) doesn't take away all of your dignity when you can face the cameras and digital voice recorders 18 hours later and play the only hand you've got.
I'll be man enough to admit I'm completely torn. When the news interrupted a round of golf yesterday I was quick to judgment. How can we have a guy who's behaved this way lead our own student-athletes? And although I've softened that sentiment at times, I still don't see how it plays out any other way.
But perhaps that's a rushed judgment steeped in embarrassment. Raise your hand if you woke up this morning and discovered that lump in your gut when you remembered yesterday's big headline? Or recalled the now infamous mugshot? Couple that with all the calls/texts I'm sure we've all had from friends in lower places and the embarrassment easily triples.
And that's no way to make a decision. Right now I don't really want a DUI offender in charge of 600 student athletes in Athens. I don't want a possible (...probable...) adulterer making hires within Butts-Mehre. But who's to say that after Ed Tolley does some work and the videotape runs its course that I can't be talked away from the ledge? I mean, do I really want Prez Adams hand choosing another AD when we've already dodged that bullet and came away smelling like English Privet?
Yesterday I was mostly focused on prayers for Damon's wife and kids. Today I'll simply add that the powers that be make the best decision for Georgia.
Sidebar - For a superior read on the decision on Adams' desk, click over to Dean Legge's article. It's dead on.
