[1] McGarity began his association with University of Georgia Athletics at the age of 10, when he worked as a helper for tennis coach Dan Magill.
[2] Later, after enrolling at the University, McGarity was a letterman on the 1973 Bulldog tennis team, and after graduation officially began his professional career at UGA.
[1] McGarity started as the university's athletic director on September 1, 2010 after Damon Evans' resignation due to his DUI.
In November 2015, McGarity made the controversial[citation needed] decision to fire Mark Richt as Head Coach of the football team, despite Richt possessing the third highest winning percentage in program history and leading a team that would ultimately finish with its second straight ten win season.
[5] On November 30, 2020, McGarity announced his plans to retire after ten years as athletic director effective December 31, 2020.