Game Time Set - South Carolina

UGA Sports Communications

The Saturday, November 4th, SEC football game between Georgia and South Carolina in Athens will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET and be televised by CBS.

This will be Georgia’s third appearance on CBS in 2017.

The Dawgs’ all-time record on CBS 49-38-1.

Carla Williams Named Virginia Director of Athletics

UGA Sports Communications

Carla Williams has been named the University of Virginia’s director of athletics, President Teresa Sullivan announced today. Williams has been an athletics administrator at the University of Georgia for the past 13 years, most recently serving as the deputy director of athletics since 2015. She succeeds Craig Littlepage who has served as the Cavaliers’ athletics director for the past 16 years.

“The University of Virginia is excited to welcome Carla Williams to lead our athletics department,” Sullivan said. “Her experience as a successful student-athlete, coach, and senior administrator at the highest levels of Division I athletics is impressive. Equally impressive is her commitment to education and the academic pursuits of student-athletes. Carla will also be a dynamic contributor to the University and Charlottesville communities. 

“President-elect Jim Ryan and I agreed that we needed to work together on the search for UVA’s new athletics director. I appreciate Jim’s assistance and input during the search as we position the athletics department to build on the success it achieved under the leadership of Craig Littlepage.” 

“I think Carla is spectacular,” said University of Virginia president-elect Ryan. “She is exceedingly well-prepared for this role, but more than that, she is fiercely committed to excellence in both athletics and academics and has a track record of success in both arenas. I cannot wait to work with Carla, a kindred spirit who sees leadership as a chance to serve those around her and to create the conditions for their success.”

During Williams’ tenure as an administrator at Georgia, its athletics teams won 16 NCAA team championships and 37 Southeastern Conference titles.

“I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to lead one of the nation’s elite athletics programs,” Williams said. “Academic achievement, athletic excellence, operating with integrity, a commitment to maximum effort at all times and a strong sense of teamwork and unity are the core principles that will guide our athletics department under my leadership.

“My career progression is the result of a commitment to education. Athletics provided the opportunity for me to attend the University of Georgia as a first-generation college student and my advanced degrees enabled me to further my growth and develop my career as an athletics administrator. I look forward to serving our student-athletes, coaches, and staff on a daily basis and I am excited to get started.”

Williams becomes the first female African-American athletics director at a Power Five conference institution and is the fifth active female athletics director at that level. 

In her role as deputy director of athletics at Georgia, Williams was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department and its $127 million budget. She served as administrator for the Bulldogs’ football and Lady Bulldogs’ women's basketball programs and also had supervisory responsibility for academic support services, business operations, compliance, event management, external operations, facilities and new construction, human resources, sports facilitators (21 sports and 15 head coaches), sports medicine, strength and conditioning, student services and ticketing. Since 2011, she has helped to oversee $162 million in facility additions, upgrades and improvements for the UGA athletics program.

She serves as the Georgia Athletic Association’s liaison to the president’s office, provost’s office, general counsel, equal opportunity office and student affairs. She also serves as the athletics department’s deputy Title IX officer.

“I have had the pleasure of working for many years with Carla Williams as president, provost and faculty athletics representative,” said University of Georgia President Jere Morehead. “She is an outstanding athletic administrator and importantly a wonderful role model for our student-athletes. I know she will be a superb athletic director for the University of Virginia. I am proud of her accomplishments as one of our exceptional graduates.”

Williams has the unique background of competing, coaching and administering at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics. She was an All-SEC guard on the basketball court, then helped recruit and coach some of the greatest teams in Georgia’s history before moving on to become one of the highest-ranking female administrators in Division I athletics.

“I am excited to partner with Carla Williams in building an exceptional football program and developing our student-athletes to their fullest potential,” head football coach Bronco Mendenhall said.

“This is an exciting time in UVA athletics and I look forward to working with Carla Williams,” head men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett said. “Her vast experiences as a student-athlete, coach, and administrator at top Power Five schools are impressive. The people I respect in the coaching profession who have worked under Carla could not have given her a better endorsement.”

Williams began her administrative career at Georgia in 2004. She served as associate athletic director (2004-2008), senior associate athletic director (2008-2011) and executive associate athletic director (2011-2015) before being promoted to her present position.

Prior to joining the Dawgs’ staff, Williams was an assistant director of athletics at Vanderbilt (2000-03) and an associate director of athletics (2003-04). She oversaw 11 men's and women's sports as well as the Commodores’ CHAMPS/Life Skills program. From 1997-1998, Williams was coordinator for student-athlete development and life skills at Florida State. While completing her Ph.D. in sport administration, Williams was also a graduate assistant for athletic academic support from 1998-2000.

Over the course of her career in intercollegiate athletics, Williams has administrative experience with each varsity sport sponsored by Virginia with the exceptions of field hockey, rowing, squash and wrestling. 

Williams has been instrumental in Georgia’s programming to enhance the lives of its student-athletes and prepare them for a life beyond athletics, including its comprehensive “The Georgia Way” program. She has also helped build ties for Bulldog alumni, including the creation of UGA’s NFL alumni development program. Her involvement at Georgia included serving as a member of the student-athlete conduct committee and student wellness committee. She was involved in general campus affairs which included serving on the University’s Terry College of Business board of directors and being active in numerous campus personnel search committees.

NCAA and national organization committee membership are a big part of Williams’ resume. She served on the executive committee (2010-2014) for the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. She was a member of the Southeastern Conference’s executive committee (2009-2011), participated on the NCAA women’s basketball issues committee (2010-2014) and was an executive board member of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators (2007-2009).

A native of LaGrange, Ga., Williams was a three-year starter for the Lady Bulldogs from 1987-89. She finished her career with 1,115 points, 425 assists and 285 steals. Those tallies ranked No. 10, No. 2 and No. 3 among Georgia's career leaders at the completion of her career.

Williams received her bachelor's degree in sociology and master's in public administration from Georgia in 1989 and 1991, respectively. Following her undergraduate graduation, she played professionally in Spain in 1989.

Williams was then an assistant coach on hall of fame coach Andy Landers' staff from 1991-96, including teams which reached the 1995 and 1996 Final Fours, finished as NCAA runner-up in 1996 and won the 1991 and 1996 SEC Championships. Following the 1995-96 season, Williams moved into administration and served as UGA's assistant director of compliance from 1996-97 before continuing her ascent up the administrative ranks at Florida State, Vanderbilt and Georgia.

An active member in her community, local schools and church, Williams is on the board of directors for the Athens Area Community Foundation and LLL Community Group. She has served as a committee member for Oconee County School System projects and been involved in the Athens Clarke County Mentor Program.

In May 2015, Williams was recognized by the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia as the Athens Woman of Distinction. That same year she was named one of the top-10 senior woman administrators in the NCAA by the website CollegeAD.org.

Williams, 49, has agreed to a five-year contract with Virginia with a base annual salary of $550,000, plus incentives. 

Williams and her husband, Brian, an associate professor of public administration & policy in UGA’s School of Public & International Affairs, have three children: daughters, Carmen and Camryn, and a son, Joshua.

Statement from UGA J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics Greg McGarity

“I am so happy for Carla. She has worked so hard for this opportunity and will be a dynamic leader for the University of Virginia athletics program. Carla has been a tremendous asset to our staff in all areas of the UGA program and her skill set is remarkable. She has experience in virtually every part of our athletic program --- from a student-athlete all the way to Deputy Director. I know I'll miss working alongside my good friend. We are very proud of Carla and wish her the very best in her role as Director of Athletics at the University of Virginia.”

Smart On National Award Watch List

UGA Sports Communications

Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart has been named to the 2017 Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch list.

Smart joins 19 other coaches on the Watch List.  He has led the Dawgs to a 7-0 mark to start his second season as head coach.  While coaching at Alabama, Smart was named the winner of the 2009 Broyles Award as college football’s top assistant coach and the 2012 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year.

The finalists for the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year are scheduled to be announced in December.  The winner will be announced live on January 10, 2018 during the awards dinner and ceremony in Houston.

Now in its 32nd year, the award recognizes the country’s top college football coaches for their contributions both on and off the field.  The Coach of the Year Award is the only college coaching honor selected after all bowl games are concluded and is voted on by the National Sports Media Association.

Press Conference

UGA Sports Communications

The #3-ranked Dawgs worked out in shorts and shoulder pads for a little over two hours on Tuesday afternoon, the first of three practices during their only bye week of the regular season.

Following are comments from head coach Kirby Smart after today’s practice:

Opening Statements

‘’I thought the energy was good. Fall weather is here, which is nice. It’s not nearly as hot out there. We were able to get a lot of good work. We were able to get the 2s and 3s and 1s all a lot of reps, so it was good work and we’ll get back to work tomorrow. We’ll be a little more physical tomorrow.’’

Of the players who have been injured, how many do you expect back against Florida?

‘’I don’t even know who you’re asking specifically about. Terry Godwin practiced today. He was great. Trenton Thompson practiced today. He looked good; he’s bouncing back and I expect him to be back. David Marshall did not practice today. Hope to get him back.  Daquan Hawkins-Muckle did not go today but hope to get him back. Reggie Carter was out there today, practiced good.’’

Trenton Thompson in particular has been out a couple of weeks.  Did you like what you saw today, in terms of his movement?

‘’He didn’t do a whole lot, but he was able to move around and do Indy. He’s got his quickness back and is continuing to get a little better with each day, I think.’’

Javon Wims is a guy that you inherited through recruiting.  He’s the leading receiver right now.  What do you see in him, in terms of what you had when he showed up and what you have now?

‘’First of all, I don’t know that we inherited him. I remember going into a recruiting battle against South Carolina. Coach Coley and myself visiting with his parents and going to see him, so he was not a guy that was 100 percent committed, so we had to battle to get him.  I think he’s improved. I think he continues to improve. He was a guy that had not played football every year consecutively, so we thought he had some growth potential, as far as getting better. And I think he’s improved. I think he continues to improve with his physicality and his blocking. He catches the ball really well. He’s a big target and he gets open, so he’s definitely an asset for us.

(What makes Javon so good at those “50-50” type of catches?) ‘’He’s got great, strong hands. He snatches the ball out of the air. He’s a former basketball player. He does a tremendous job attacking the ball, which is part of being a great wideout.’’

Was the increase in passing against Missouri more exploiting matchups or a growing confidence in Jake Fromm?

‘’I think it’s that we couldn’t run the ball. I mean, you can run and you can mix it up. The run opens the pass, the pass opens the run. They complement each other. That’s why every team in the country wants to have balance because when you’re good at just one, it usually doesn’t work out for you. Go look at the stats of the teams that lead the country in passing.  They’re not always the guys on top. And the teams that just lead the country in rushing.  They’re not always on top. So you want to have balance and sometimes it’s hard to do one before the other.’’

When you spoke, early in your tenure, of changing the culture, did you have any idea of a timeline for how long that would take?

‘’I don’t know that there’s ever a timeline for that. I don’t know that you ever achieve it, to be honest, because your culture is always changing. I mean, to me the culture you create is created by the seniors and by the leaders on the team, and that’s shaped by every team, and every team is different. So we obviously want to be an ‘effort, toughness, discipline’ team, and I think each year that team takes on its own personality. Some years it has more effort, some years it has more toughness, some years it has more discipline. But you do that each year, independent of the previous year.’’

After the game last Saturday, you said this week was going to be a ‘work week’ and not a bye week.  How do you find that balance between getting your players their rest and recovery and being intense during your practices?

‘’Well, I look at the recovery part as Sunday and Monday, which they had two days off. I look at Friday, Saturday, Sunday as three days off. So that’s five days off in an eight-day window. We’re gonna go to work Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. There’s no recovery Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. We’re working, and we’re working to get better. You don’t get better by going out there and kinda halfway doing it. There’s no secret to this whole thing. The secret is, there is no secret. So we have to go to work and that’s what we’re gonna do tomorrow and the next day. And then they get three days off.

‘’The difference is we can rep more players. We don’t have to do as much scout team work.  We can go against each other and get more quality against quality.’’

How much do you think the indoor facility has helped this year?

‘’It’s hard to measure, but in my mind there’s been a tremendous difference. Maybe it’s just mentally. I don’t know. I just know that trip over on that bus (last year to the off-campus Rec Sports Complex), and dealing with the openness of the place. I don’t know if it was hotter this year or last year. They both seemed extremely hot. The difference for us, obviously, is the ability to recover and go inside. We’ve done a lot of 50/50 practices, where we were half in and half out, or rotated defense and offense in and out. We’ve done more things inside than we ever have and I think that’s helped. And we’ve had a lot of night games, too. It’s been a big part of that because if we had to play in it, we’d have to practice in it. But we’ve had a lot of night games.’’

Is there a level of concern with the way your defense is affecting the quarterback?

‘’There’s always a level of concern when you don’t have ‘affect quarterback’ numbers. Disruptions are what we look for, and we’re not disrupting the quarterback enough. I don’t look at just sacks. I look at batted balls, pressures, hits, hurries, moving him in the pocket and knocking balls down. We had a couple of games where we made a lot of plays on the balls by the DBs, but we didn’t affect the quarterback enough. We’re trying to work really hard on that this week to generate some. It’s not more pressure. It’s not more blitzes. It’s just rush guys and win.’’

How are you tackling the uncertain personnel situation with Florida?  Do you just ignore, do you just go with what you’ve seen, do you anticipate?

‘’To be honest with you, I haven’t even thought about it. We’re not even thinking about Florida. I really don’t even know what you’re talking about. I’m worried about our team for these two days and we’ll get to work on Florida probably Thursday and focus on them then.  We’re working on our team. We’ve got to get us better, and we’ve got a lot we can get better at, and that’s the focus right now. I haven’t turned my focus to Florida just yet.’’

Do you have any feelings toward what Mark Richt has been able to do at Miami so far?

‘’Yeah, I think Mark has done a tremendous job. I actually got to see some of the Miami-Georgia Tech game because we watch Tech some this week. I think he defensive coordinator Manny (Diaz) does a tremendous job. He’s a really good defensive coordinator. They’ve beaten Tech two years in a row now, so I think Coach Richt has a rejuvenated energy and he’s done a good job down there. They’re playing really hard and recruiting well. He’s always done a tremendous job.’’

How has Davin Bellamy progressed in his role on this team?

‘’Davin has grown up. I think he’s become a more vocal leader. Just in the time we’ve been here, he’s become more confident in himself. I think early on he was overshadowed by some really good players here and now he’s out of those shadows and he’s growing as a player. He understands that he’s got an area to improve in himself, but he works hard each day. He’s a very mature kid for our team.

‘’He’s got a good personality. I think he and Lorenzo Carter and Roquan Smith all have a different personality. They all bring a different demeanor, toughness, ‘want-to’. Davin’s just a little different than those other guys. He wears his feelings on his chest. He’ll tell you how he thinks and what he thinks, and I appreciate him for it. He’s an honest kid.’’

The Dawgs will next return to action on Saturday, October 28th against Florida in Jacksonville.

Fromm Named Freshman Of The Week

UGA Sports Communications

Georgia freshman quarterback Jake Fromm has been named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week for the second time in the last four weeks after the win over Missouri, according to a league announcement. 

This is the Dawgs’ fifth SEC weekly honor of the season.  Senior outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter was named the Defensive Player of the Week after the win at #24 Notre Dame; Fromm garnered Freshman of the Week honors in the victory over #17 Mississippi State; senior tailback Nick Chubb was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Week at Tennessee; and senior left tackle Isaiah Wynn was named the SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week last week.

Fromm, a native of Warner Robins, extended his record to 6-0 as the Dawg starter and is ranked second in the league in Passing Efficiency at 170.4 through seven games.  Against the Tigers, Fromm had 16 completions for 326 yards (both career highs) on 26 attempts and finished with a pair of passing touchdowns.  He also rushed for 16 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown scamper.

Fromm directed an offense that piled up 696 total yards, which ranks second in UGA history, and scored a season-high 53 points against Missouri.  The Dawgs lead the SEC and rank fifth nationally in Third Down Conversions at 51 percent and are averaging 43 points per game through their first four SEC contests.