This looks like a fun read.
“Behind the Hedges: Big Money and Power Politics at the University of Georgia,” written by the late Rich Whitt, a former Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter and Pulitzer Prize winner, examines the internal power struggle between Adams and athletics director Vince Dooley and how the controversy resulted in the split between the Board of Regents and the UGA Foundation. By all accounts, Adams is made out to be the bad guy.
If you want a little taste of what the book covers, here’s a link to the table of contents, per Amazon. Chapter 5 ought to be a hoot and a half, all by itself. And check out the blurbs on the back cover – none too flattering (about the school, not the book).
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UPDATE: Hoo, boy. (h/t David Hale)
Get The Picture 
Do not interpret the following comments as supportive to Adams, because I disagree with many of his policies/opinions and dislike his management style, but I have to side with Adams in the VD mess. And there can be no doubt about it, it was messy.
I believe CEOs should pick their own management team and advisors, and U. S. Presidents should pick their own Cabinet members (despite what we have witnessed recently). Adams should have the right to select the person who manages his most visible department, and at least determine the strategic direction they are headed and the philosophy they are managed by. While a sudden, radical “regime change” would have been counter-productive, it appears Adams held private discusssions about Dooley’s career timeline. This was appropriately handled and succession planning is done by all successful organizations.
I recall that VD gave Adams a date when he would step down, gracefully, and then changed his mind. While he has a right to change his mind and ask for an extension, the final detemination was Adams’ call and it could have all been kept behind closed doors. It was Vince who took this fight to the public by attempting to put pressure on Adams. In my mind that was totally selfish on VD’s part and he didn’t care who got hurt in the ensuing divorce.
I respect so much about VD, but regardless of why he wanted to stay on, it did not justify the way he handled that situation. He gave his word/commitment, and Adams had the authority to make the call. Vince was wrong to go out this way, and the University was hurt and divided by his actions. It doesn’t mean Adams is a nice guy, or brilliant, but he looked better than Vince in this case.
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Macallan, what is wrong with you? You’re bringing rationale and logic into a conversation about Vince Dooley and Michael Adams. Don’t you know Vince Dooley is a legend and is never wrong? Sorry for the heavy sarcasm, but it’s interesting for someone to state their viewpoint on this matter without being petty about it.
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Thanks Audit, I really hate to see this book bring it up again but I am sure it will provide more information, which is a good thing for those of us not on the inside. I doubt the wounds have healed enough at this point so it will likely do more harm than good. I would have preferred another 10 years or so before it was published so people could view it in historical context and without the passion. We need everyone focused on getting back to Atlanta and united against the upstart to the south of Athens.
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