It was the perfect modern apology. Emotional, apparently sincere, and generic. Evans is deeply sorry for the shame and black cloud he’s brought upon the University. He has his shortcomings – don’t we all? If you relied upon Evans’ statement, you wouldn’t have known if he had been arrested for DUI, littering on North Campus, or kicking Russ the bulldog. Of course that’s the way it has to be – no lawyer this side of Lionel Hutz is going to let his client speak to the specifics of an incident with charges still pending.

Mark Bradley wants him gone yesterday, but that’s not how it works. Evans has taken resignation off the table, so Evans’ future lies with Michael Adams. There’s a difference between a forced resignation and termination, and the latter won’t happen without a whole lot of negotiation and bases being covered. There’s a lot of the story still out there – Evans’ past, how candid he was with Adams, and what comes of the charges themselves.

David Hale sums up the feeling among a lot of us that this could end up going either way.

The biggest question: Do I think Evans will keep his job? Honestly, I don’t know…But the truth is… this is going to be very, very hard for Evans to overcome at Georgia. Which isn’t to say it can’t be done.

This is going to be a riveting decision in the respect that it could go one way or the other and no one would be surprised. The case can be (and has been) made for both choices and all sorts of disciplinary permutations. It seems incredulous that such an allegation, if true, wouldn’t mean the end for a high-profile administrator on a campus that’s put the issue of alcohol under such a glaring spotlight. If he remains on, it’s going to be a long and painful – and public – road back. This will always be a black mark on his reputation. Would it be better for him and the University for that process to occur someplace other than under the glare of public scrutiny? That’s part of Adams’ decision.

In either case, it’s just a sad, sad story all around. One of Georgia’s own, a home-grown star in the world of athletics administration, has fallen. Then you have the damage brought on his family. Most importantly, it’s no small thing that this night just ended with an arrest. Evans’ decisions could have had a much more tragic outcome. The University community on up to the governor’s office is very tuned in to the subject of DUI right now.

If Evans remains on, how does he go forward? On this point I’m with Kyle – Evans has more to own up to if he is really interested in redemption. I understand that the legal process makes that impossible right now, but there will come a time when it’s necessary. Not for my sake – he owes me nothing. In terms of credibility with the student-athletes at Georgia, the ability to be frank and candid about the experience will go a long way towards rebuilding his character. Once this is over, I’d even suggest that he re-cut that infamous PSA in much more personal terms as a way of addressing his shortcomings head-on.

Is it really impossible for Evans to maintain credibility with the people within the athletic department and also the student-athletes under his direction? I don’t think so. Give the kids more credit – right and wrong aren’t foreign concepts. Certainly a measure of discipline is expected and due even if he isn’t let go, but the program isn’t going to become Ciudad Juárez because of Evans’ bad example. It’s also not as if the student-athletes are guided by day-to-day interaction with the athletic director. He’s there at games and certainly available when needed, but most of the experiences the student-athletes will have when it comes to building character and discipline comes from their individual coaching staffs.

A few random observations to close with:

1 – I do credit Evans for taking questions. Some of them were tough and pointed, and he answered them. The press conference was open and carried live. He could have issued a written statement and then hid behind spokesmen and lawyers, and I’m sure someone advised him to do just that. I mean, it’s not like he was changing jobs or anything.

2 – Not to dig up the ghosts of Dooley/Adams, but there were concerns when Evans was hired about the autonomy a relatively young and inexperienced athletic director would have under the supervision of President Adams. To put it more crudely, would Evans just be a yes-man? Some still think so. I thought that unfair to Evans, and – maybe I’ve got my head in the sand – the partnership of Evans and Adams has been productive. That said, how will this decision change their relationship going forward if Adams decides to retain Evans – will Evans feel that he “owes” Adams?

3 – There are a lot of lessons to take from this story from Evans’ alleged actions, but his passenger provides an important lesson too: if you’re in the car while the driver is being questioned by the police, shut up. Ms. Courtney Fuhrmann could have easily remained anonymous in this story, and it seems as if she wants to, but now her name and mug shot are all over the most salacious story to hit the UGA beat in a while. [insert Ron White joke about having the right to remain silent]

UPDATE: Evans’ first court date has been set for July 12th when he will answer to the DUI charge in Atlanta. He’s consulted with Athens lawyer Ed Tolley, but Tolley cannot represent Evans due to Tolley’s longstanding relationship with the athletic department.