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Last week, Bainbridge High School announced former Bearcat, Danny Tevell Evans as the new head coach for the Lady Cats Basketball team. This news comes following former head coach Kelvin Cochran’s decision to take over as head coach of the Bearcats Basketball team.

Evans said he was home visiting his mom for Mother’s Day weekend, when his nephew encouraged him to apply.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” Evans said. “The position wasn’t even available.”

Without giving it much thought, Evans shared that he returned to Covington, where he taught. His nephew then sent him the information to apply, so Evans sent his resume to Co-Athletic Director David Mackey.

“They contacted me and set up an interview, and brought me back for a second interview,” he said.

During the interview, Evans explained to both Athletic Directors and Principal Chris Merritt how he would like to run the team.

He shared he planned to assess the girls in order to see what type of offense and defense they could run throughout the season.

“We are gonna be tough and disciplined across the board,” he said. “I just want to analyze everybody and see what we need to work on.”

Evans also wanted everyone to partake in some team-bonding activities so he could get to know them, and they could get to know him.

While athletics are important, Evans said academics are number one.

“If I can’t trust you in the classroom, then I can’t trust you on the court,” he said. “I have high standards academically and on the court as well.”

Evans knows the discipline and high expectations pay off, as they have led him to championships in the past.

He was formerly the assistant coach at Swainsboro, where he won the State Championship, before moving to Social Circle as the assistant coach.

During his first year at Social Circle, the team went 6-14.

“I wasn’t used to losing,” he said. “Then, the head coach left.”

Once Social Circle’s head coach left, Evans was offered the job of head coach. However, he was still teaching at Covington and said he would rather someone else take the job, who was able to keep closer tabs on the girls.

Coach LaBarrie took the position, and Evans said they just clicked.

“We went from averaging 5-6 wins to 14-15 wins,” he said. “We fed off each other and had the girls working together.”

Evans looks forward to seeing the Lady Cats change their average wins as well. He hopes to change their mindset.

“I’m going to pick up where Cochran left off and keep going toward that trajectory,” he said.
Evans said he is unsure if Cochran will assist with the team, but he wants whoever takes the position to be just as smart, if not smarter than him (Evans).

“I fully believe iron sharpens iron,” he said. “Once you have a staff like that, the sky is the limit.”

Evans concluded by stating how excited he was for the upcoming season, before hitting the courts for practice.