Spring Break
Dignity, integrity
Jo Evans plans to take Aggies back to College World Series
By: Brett Sebastian
Issue date: 2/6/09 Section: Sports
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A&M failed to score a run in the championship game and the Sun Devils celebrated a national championship after an 11-0 route. During the Arizona State celebration, one figure remained strong: Head Coach Jo Evans.
"It was a devastating loss and it was tough to handle the way we lost," Evans said. "A lot of people learned what it looks like to have poise, character and dignity during times that are excruciatingly painful."
In fact, Evans was already looking for lessons for her team, and herself, to learn so they could grow.
"I think our team will learn a lot from that experience," Evans said. "I wish we had played our very best against Arizona State and we didn't, and I learned that one can be on top of the world one moment and at their lowest low the next. It validated my knowledge that I need to be a consistent leader and to handle myself with dignity and integrity."
Aggressive approach
Evans is well known for her hard-nosed approach to coaching, the kind of coach that asks and expects a lot from her players. If her team won 100-0, she would wonder why they didn't win 200-0.
"I like an aggressive style of play and try to instill that in my players," she said. "I have a lot of passion for the game so I hope that comes out to our team and I hope they feel that from me. I want them to know that I have confidence in them and that allows them to relax and play the game. I want to create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable but know the stakes are high and there is pressure at times."
From the West to the South
Evans' coaching style has been in the works since 1986 when she took a head coaching job with Colorado State at 25 after serving as a two-year assistant with Florida State. It was at Colorado State and then her alma mater Utah in 1990 where Evans evolved into the caliber of coaching capable of leading a team to the championship game of the College World Series.
"I've grown as a coach from those experiences and schools that don't have the resources that we have here; you sort of learn humility," Evans said. "But coming to A&M, I learned that just because you have facilities and resources doesn't mean you're guaranteed to win; it keeps me on my toes. I loved coaching at those two schools, and it was a terrific opportunity for me, but it also allows for me to realize how fortunate I am to be at A&M."
Evans cut her teeth in the Rocky Mountains winning four Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year awards and three conference championships. Her teams also made several Women's College World Series, including a fifth place finish in 1994.
"That team we had was a lot of fun," Evans said. "It was a lot like the ballclubs I have had here over the past few years, very hard-nosed and had a great time playing the game. It was fun being the underdog. We were a team that really fought hard and a lot of people didn't expect us to be there but we really enjoyed it."
Evans came to College Station in 1997, leaving behind her hometown of Salt Lake City where she had experienced success against the odds.
"It was very difficult to leave Utah," Evans said. "For me professionally, it was a great move. We had a better budget, we could practice outside all year, and the salary was better which is nice."
Heads up
Evans' first season at A&M was marred by a head injury received when she was hit by a line drive while at third base. She was incapacitated for a few weeks and assistants had to run the team. The doctor ordered her to wear a helmet while coaching.
"It was tough initially," she said. "But it was a time to be reflective and understand how important this job is to me and how much I enjoy it. Like anything when you have a serious injury, it sort of puts your life in perspective."
Winning attitude
Evans has never had a losing season at A&M but it would take her until the 2003 season to achieve a winning conference record of 10-8 on the way to a fifth place Big 12 finish.
The next season, the Aggies finished second in the Big 12, followed by a Big 12 Championship in 2005 and a Super Regional appearance. In 2006 and 2007, the Aggies finished fourth in the Big 12, but the 2007 team went on to finish seventh in the Women's College World Series.
The 2008 squad went 57-9, losing one game in conference, on the way to a Big 12 conference and tournament championship as well as runner-up in the Women's College World Series. During that span, she has won three Big 12 coach of the year awards in 2004, 2005 and 2008.
"Last season was a big thrill for me," Evans said. "To watch our kids handle the injury and loss of Amanda Scarborough, to see Megan Gibson do what she did and to see our young players step up and fill a valuable role; I really loved coaching that team last season."
Moving forward
Evans is not the type of coach to linger in the past. Her focus in 2009 is looking back to learn from mistakes and get better. Unlike the past, however, she will have some familiar faces on the bench with her helping her coach. Amanda Scarborough, the Aggies pitching coach, and Jaime Lobpries will be helping out.
"It is a great opportunity for them and for us," Evans said. "We love that they are still part of the program and they love the program and are very loyal. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our young players."
Evans sees their continued leadership as crucial to the upcoming season with the young team. She expects their presence to help the team persevere and overcome some major losses.
"If I had to give them one piece of advice, it is for them to understand that they have to separate that they are no longer a player and have to have patience and know that things will not always go well," Evans said. "When you're a player and things are not going so well, you can go out there and make a difference, now all of the sudden they can't do that."
Coming off a great season with a solid core of coaches and a team full of talent, there should be little drop-off for the Aggies.
"We are coming off a great year, and our goal is to defend our Big 12 championship and get back to the College World Series," Evans said. "We have some big shoes to fill, and we lost some key players, but I think we have the kind of talent that we can come out and have a really successful year."
Coaching pedigree
Jo Evans has coached A&M since 1997. She also been the head coach for the Utah Utes and Colorado State Rams. She has won HCAC, WAC and Big 12 Coach of the Year.
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