Randy Evans, new basketball coach at Silverdale Baptist Academy.As the new boys' basketball coach at Silverdale Baptist Academy, Randy Evans will be teaching and coaching at the same school for the first time.
After playing for Bryan College, the 1995 Sale Creek graduate coached nine seasons at Cleveland Middle School and most recently assisted at Cleveland State.
In 2004 he was the director of player personnel for the Cleveland Majic of the World Basketball Association.
He will teach physical education and wellness at Silverdale. He previously taught at Blythe-Bower Elementary in Cleveland.
He has wasted no time getting acquainted with his players. He held three quick practices, including a Monday morning session to install the team's offense and taking the Seahawks to a team camp at Tennessee Temple the same day.
"I just wanted to get back into head coaching, and this provided an opportunity," Evans said. "I enjoyed the Cleveland State job, but it was tough to coach and recruit while teaching at the same time. This job came open and I've wanted to get back into it, and a door opened."
He thanked Cleveland State coach Lee Cigliano for "preparing me for the next level.
"He's a good coach who was instrumental for preparing me for situations," he said. "I'm going to miss that family."
Evans said he's ready for the challenges of District 5-A, the home of recent state-tournament participants Arts & Sciences and Grace Academy.
"Coaching is coaching," he said. "At the middle school level, there was obviously less scouting of other teams, but the past few years have really helped me develop and get back into the swing of things. I was successful at Cleveland Middle, and I enjoy the process of how to beat the other team and stop opponents."
A finalist for the Rhea County job, he's happy to have found a new home and a new opportunity.
"It's not a bad deal to come in on, to get my first job with a team that can mix it up," Evans said. "These guys caught on quick, and they're hard workers and scrappers who are smart and respectful. I enjoy this group of guys that I've got, and they've shown flashes of good things to come.
"I want to start developing relationships with the players, because basketball is a game that can help kids get through their young lives."