ATHENS, GA -- Univeristy of Georgia President Michael Adams accepted the formal resignation of Athletic Director Damon Evans Monday morning.



The executive committee of the athletics board at UGA voted unanimously Monday morning to accept his resignation.

Evans was charged with driving under the influence after he was stopped Wednesday night in Buckhead. The arresting police officer said he saw Evans' car driving erratically on Roswell Road.



According to 11Alive's Randy Waters, Evans will receive $100,000 as a longevity bonus, and three months salary as severance. 

Adams' office released a statement Monday morning:

"Yesterday, July 4, 2010, University of Georgia Athletics Director Damon Evans submitted his resignation, which I have accepted. As I said on Thursday morning when I first learned of the situation, this is not an example of the kind of leadership that I expect our senior administrators to set. I have high regard for Damon personally; I care deeply about him and his family.

"Under a separation agreement and release endorsed today by the executive committee of the board of directors of the University of Georgia Athletic Association, Mr. Evans will receive a $100,000 longevity bonus for his prior service, in accordance with the terms of his contract, as well as 3 months' salary as severance. We acknowledge the many positive accomplishments of his tenure, including an increased focus on the academic success of student-athletes, the overall financial strength of the athletic department and the hiring of many very good people as head coaches and senior leaders in the athletic department.

"I will address the future leadership of the athletic department during my regularly scheduled media briefing at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 6, in Mahler Auditorium at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education."

 

 

 

 

 

 

All this occurs less than a week after Evans was first pulled over by police for drunk driving.  His passenger in the car was "a friend," Courtney Furhmann, acording to the married father of two.

Evans and Fuhrmann were arrested late Wednesday after a state trooper said he spotted Evans driving erratically. He was charged with DUI and failure to maintain a lane. She was charged with disorderly conduct after police said she ignored warnings to stay inside the vehicle while the trooper was conducting the test.

While being put through the field sobriety tests the officer said Evans said to him, "I am not trying to bribe you, but I am the Athletic Director of the University of Georgia."

In a press conference last Thursday, Evans said he wanted to remain as the Athletic Director of Unversity of Georgia. But now, after 6 years on the job, he holds that position no longer.

When hired by the Unversity, he was the youngest Athletic Director in the Southeastern Conference at 34.  He was also the first African American to hold that position.



Evans released a statement of his own to the media Monday afternoon:

"I would like to once again offer my sincerest apology to the University of Georgia people-the president and administration, athletic staff and coaches, fans and supporters, and especially the student-athletes. It had been my hope since taking the job in 2004 that I would have a long career at UGA. But because of a serious mistake in judgment, that won't be the case and I understand that I have a long road to rebuilding my reputation and career. I do want to thank all those who have supported me and the Athletic Association over the past six years and would encourage all those in our Association to remember that they are there for the student-athletes. Keep them first and foremost in everything you do. God bless and 'Go Dawgs.'"

Adams said he will talk about the future of the UGA athletic program at a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday.