By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
When Mike Evans had the chance to join Los Fresnos coach Clint Finley’s staff a few years ago, he didn’t hesitate.
Still in his 20s, Evans jumped at the chance to earn a promotion and prove what he could do with his own defense.
“I got lucky enough to be a coordinator (at a young age), when (Finley) called me to come to Los Fresnos, it was a no-brainer,” he said.
“It’s that simple. And it’s worked out ever since.”
Evans, who has held the defensive coordinator position at Los Fresnos for the past three years, was the secondary coach at San Benito prior to his current position.
Finley didn’t take much thought before bringing Evans to the Falcons, especially considering his knowledge of the game through the secondary positions.
“He’s an even front guy, and so am I. He knows a lot about the game,” Finley said. “(He knows) a lot about secondary play, and that’s the strength of our defense. I played safety (in the NFL). I liked he brings (that) to the table when it comes to coverages and the ability of how we matchup up front.”
The Falcons’ defense was one of the top defenses in District 32-6A this season. They have been even better during the last four games. Los Fresnos has allowed just 19 points during the past four games (less than 5 points per game), including two shutouts.
Finley said it’s Evans’ love of the game and great relationships with the players that make him a good coach.
“He’s very football-minded, he’s very interested in football,” Finley said. “It’s the interest he has in football. That’s his hobby, he studies football. That’s the type of thing that takes you places, because there’s a lot of people who don’t get where he’s at, ever.”
There’s no secret to the Falcons’ defensive success Evans said, just the commitment from his players.
“We committed to playing the same defense, rather than freaking out and losing our way trying to do something different,” he said. “We’re going to do it and keep getting better at it. You do the same thing for 13 weeks, you get better at it.”
Evans said Finley lets him run the defense as he sees fit. However, he appreciates the input that Finley gives that he earned as an NFL safety.
“For the most part, he lets us do what we do,” Evans said. “If he has tips, he’ll give them to us, but for the most part he lets us coach. We talk about things. He wants to know what we’re doing and approve things.”
Finley said Evans just has a desire for football.
“He’s very smart. He could be doing a lot of things, but he chooses football because that’s his passion,” he said. “He’s passionate about it. I sure have enjoyed having him here.”
Andrew Crum covers sports for The Brownsville Herald. You can reach him at (956) 982-6629 or via email at [email protected]. On Twitter he’s @andrewmcrum.