The St. Edward's athletics department welcomes Jeff Evans to its staff as the new assistant men's basketball coach and defensive specialist.
Evans brings with him an impressive 33-year coaching career, including a recent role as the special assistant to the head men's basketball coach in charge of the defense for Fort Lewis College. His influence was instrumental in the Skyhawks' 29-4 record, including 20-2 in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play and the RMAC Tournament Championship. Under his guidance, the team boasted the best defense in the conference, allowing the fewest points per possession.
"This is a huge hire for our program. Jeff Evans is a winner and a tireless worker. I have known Jeff for nearly a decade and marveled at what he did for such a long time at Palo Duro," St. Edward's Head Men's Basketball Coach Andre Cook says. "He got complete buy-in and effort from those kids, and their record, achievements, and long-lasting relationships are proof. Jeff is well respected around the entire state of Texas. In just one year at Fort Lewis, he changed the entire defensive approach to help them win the RMAC. Jeff Evan is certainly a home run hire for the St. Edward's men's basketball program."
Before Fort Lewis, Evans spent 23 years as the head boys basketball coach, 12th-grade English Teacher, and Physical Education instructor at Palo Duro High School in Amarillo, Texas.
Evans posted a 546-156 record at Palo Duro, guiding the Dons to a 220-50 district record with 49 playoff wins, 12 district championships, seven regional tournaments, five regional finals, and an appearance in the State Tournament Final Four.
Over his high school coaching tenure, Evans helped develop 58 collegiate players, including seven NCAA Division I signees, three Big 12 athletes, and three national scoring leaders.
Evans was named the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Coach of the Year and Amarillo Chapter NAACP Educator of the Year in 2008, Texas High School Coaches Association All-Star coach in 2005 and 2006, Texas vs. Oklahoma Oil Bowl Game in 2005, Amarillo Globe-News All-Sport Coach of the Year in 2005, and is a five-time Amarillo Globe 5A-6A Super Team Coach of the Year, four-time Amarillo Globe-News 5A-6A Coach of the Year, and 11-time District 3-5A Coach of the Year.
St. Edward's men's basketball posted a 21-11 record last season, including 14-7 in Lone Star Conference play, earning an LSC Tournament berth.
