McGarity set to retire
Athletic direction Greg McGarity is set to retire at the end of the year.
According to UGA, McGarity’s last day will be Dec. 31. He's expected to be replaced on an interim basis by Senior Deputy Athletic Director Josh Brooks, who is expected to be a candidate for the job.
“I want to thank President Morehead for all of his support and guidance over the years,” said McGarity. “I step down knowing that our Athletic Association is in great hands under his strong leadership. To our coaches, athletic staff, and student-athletes—you have made the last decade the very best of my career, and I thank you for your dedication to excellence in athletics. You're the heart and soul of our program, and it has truly been an honor to serve alongside you as athletic director.
"Finally, my thanks to our alumni, donors, and fans for your unyielding support of Georgia athletics. There's no better fan base in college sports than the Bulldog Nation.”
Georgia president Jere Morehead said McGarity will be missed.
“First and foremost, on behalf of the entire Bulldog Nation, I want to express my deepest gratitude to Greg for his outstanding service to the University of Georgia,” said Morehead. “While I had hoped Greg would continue to serve as our Athletic Director for a few more years, I understand and appreciate his and Sheryl’s decision to begin a new chapter in their lives. Greg will leave behind a strong legacy of leadership and devotion to his alma mater, having further elevated our athletic program on the national stage."
A native of Athens and graduate of UGA, McGarity was named Director of Athletics at UGA on August 13, 2010, after serving 18 years in the athletic department at Florida.
During his tenure at Georgia, McGarity has emphasized exploring new ideas and initiatives designed to move the organization forward in all areas of competition, academics, service, and exceptional experiences for student-athletes and supporters.
Georgia’s athletic facilities have grown significantly during his years of leadership.
The construction of the new Indoor Athletic Facility adjacent to the Butts-Mehre Building was completed in January of 2017, with other enhancements to Sanford Stadium, including the West End Zone project and new locker rooms, completed under his watch.
Improvements to the school’s basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, softball facilities were also completed.
Under McGarity, the annual budget of the Athletic Association has increased from $89 million in 2010 to $153 million today, and McGarity has overseen more than $200 million in facility improvements.
“Greg McGarity is one the most respected athletic directors in the Southeastern Conference,” said SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey, “and I have relied on him regularly for advice and counsel over the years. I wish Greg and Sheryl the very best on this exciting next step. Given President Morehead’s leadership roles and deep engagement in the SEC and NCAA, I am confident he will select a highly-qualified successor to lead UGA’s athletic program forward.”
Brooks, meanwhile, is currently in his second stint at UGA, returned to Athens in 2016 after serving as the AD at Millsaps College and Deputy AD at Louisiana-Monroe.
A native of Hammond, La., Brooks oversees Internal Operations & External Operations. Brooks leads the Athletic Department’s planning for facility expansion and construction, including the $65 million improvement to the West End Zone of Stanford Stadium.
He also serves as the liaison with the Office of University Architects. Brooks directly oversees the game-day operations for football and continually integrates data and research to help improve the game-day experience. Administratively, Brooks serves as the sports supervisor for football, track and field, and cross country.
According to a press release by Georgia, an advisory committee has been formed to assist him in identifying Georgia's next AD.
• Kessel Stelling, who serves as Chairman and CEO of Synovus and a member of both the University System of Georgia (USG) Board of Regents and the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, will chair the committee. Other committee members include:
• Paige Carmichael, Meigs Professor of Veterinary Pathology and member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors.
• Darrice Griffin, UGA Athletic Association Deputy Athletic Director for Administration.
• Mack Guest, Co-founder and President of LAD Truck Lines, President of the UGA Football Lettermen’s Club, and Emeritus Member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors.
• Sam Holmes, Vice Chairman of CBRE, Inc., member of the USG Board of Regents, and former Chairman of both the UGA Foundation and the UGA Real Estate Foundation.
• Kearis Jackson, UGA football student-athlete and member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors.
• Steve Jones, United States District Court Judge, member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, a UGA Foundation Trustee, and former President of the UGA Alumni Association Board of Directors.
• Swann Seiler, Manager of External Affairs, Southeast Region, at Georgia Power, Emeritus Trustee of the UGA Foundation, Emeritus Member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, and former President of the UGA Alumni Association Board of Directors.
• David Shipley, Georgia Athletic Association Professor in Law, Faculty Athletics Representative and Secretary of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, and Chair of the Executive Committee of University Council.
• Bonney Shuman, Co-founder and retired CEO of Stratix Corporation, UGA Foundation Treasurer, former member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, and former President of the UGA Alumni Association Board of Directors.
• Bill Young, Partner at General Wholesale Company, member of the UGA Athletic Association Board of Directors, and former Chairman of the UGA Foundation.
“We have some highly qualified administrators at UGA who are ready and able to take on this role,” said Morehead, “and the advisory committee knows that to be true. However, the committee also will be free to consider sitting athletic directors at other major universities who have significant experience managing college athletic programs. I've asked the committee to move with deliberate speed to ensure a successor is in place and ready to lead in the near future.”
