UGA Director of Athletics Greg McGarity receives one-year contract extension

UGA’s J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity received a one-year contract extension, the UGA Athletic Association announced on Thursday.

McGarity’s contract was set to expire on June 30, 2020. His contract was likely extended due to the situation around the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Embarking on a search for a new athletic director at the current time would be a challenge.

‘’I’m just very happy that Greg has agreed to stay on this year,’’ said UGA President Jere W. Morehead.  ‘’I think particularly now, with all that we’re going through — in this country and in intercollegiate athletics — with all the challenges that we’ve faced, Greg’s experience and having that continuity is really good for UGA at this time.  So I appreciate his willingness to serve.’’

McGarity has served as Georgia’s director of athletics since August 2010 after Damon Evans was fired. McGarity was previously the Executive Senior Associate Athletics Director for the University of Florida.

‘’I’ve always looked at this job as serving my alma mater,’’ he said.  ‘’I also felt like consistency is really important right now, and I’m respectful of the President’s time.  My gosh, with everything he has to deal with on the campus as a whole, I certainly didn’t want our situation to be a part of that concern at this time.  Both my parents went to the University of Georgia.  They both worked at the University of Georgia.  My wife and son graduated.  I have a lot of respect for this institution and what it’s meant to our family.  So it’s a big deal for me personally to serve in this role and to help us navigate these difficult times.’’

The Georgia Bulldogs are set to return to practice soon ahead of the 2020 football season. UGA is currently scheduled to open the season on Monday, Sept. 7 (Labor Day) against the Virginia Cavaliers in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga.

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