ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- University of Georgia football coach Mark Richt says he is saddened to lose athletic director Damon Evans, but he doesn't believe it will hurt the university's sports program.

Richt spoke with reporters for the first time Wednesday about

Evans, who resigned last weekend following a drunken driving arrest in Atlanta. Richt says the football team is "just going to go on with life and take care of business," regardless of who is in charge of UGA athletics.

He said he's exchanged voicemail with Evans but has yet to speak to him. He praised UGA President Michael Adams' handling of the ituation and said interim AD Frank Crumley was a good choice because he's a "very sharp guy."

Adams has named a search committee to find Evans' permanent replacement.