By ANDREW CRUM, Staff Writer
Brownsville Veterans Memorial’s search for a new defensive coordinator didn’t last long, nor did the Chargers have to look very far.
Los Fresnos’ Mike Evans, who held the same position with the Falcons, will take over the Chargers’ defense after the move was approved by the Brownsville Independent School District on Tuesday night.
“It feels great to get a new start,” he said. “It was intriguing when I heard (the position) opened up. I put my name in there and it just worked out.”
Evans fills the spot left by former coordinator Larry Vincent, who left to take the head coaching job at Falfurrias after spending six years at Brownsville Veterans in that capacity.
Brownsville Veterans coach David Cantu said Evans was at the top of his list to replace Vincent, “I feel fortunate that he was available.”
And rightfully so.
Evans directed the Falcons’ defense for the past four years and helped the team win a share of the District 32-6A championship in 2014 and 2015.
In 2014, the Falcons allowed 282 yards and 17.5 points per game for the third-best defense in the district and were the top defense in 2015. Los Fresnos allowed 258 yards and 12.2 points per game a season ago and have lost just three district games in two years.
Los Fresnos is also in the midst of coaching changes. Former coach Clint Finley left for a head coaching position in Big Spring and the Falcons hired Patrick Brown, the former coach at Sam Houston High School in San Antonio.
But that had nothing to do with Evans leaving. He was happy at Los Fresnos, but felt the oppourtnity at Brownsville Veterans was one he couldn’t pass up.
“Change is always tough with the school you’re leaving,” Evans said. “Kids and coaches are like family, that’s the tough part. It was just an opportunity I felt could get me closer to moving up, maybe being a head coach some day.”
Brownsville Veterans had the top offense in the district last season, but its defense struggled at times and allowed 331 yards and nearly 28 points per game. Cantu felt that Evans could bring a different perspective to the Chargers next season.
“He’s such a dynamic coach that’s constantly looking to evolve and improve,” Cantu said. “Just an intelligent guy that has excellent leadership qualities and relates to kids, he knows how to communicate very well. His kids on defense always play with a high level of confidence. They do that because they’re so well prepared.
“I think he will be a fantastic fit with our staff.”
Evans was looking forward to being a part of the staff at Brownsville Veterans.
“It’s a great coaching environment,” he said. “Coach Cantu lets everybody here coach … he wants you to do your job and that’s the kind of environment I like working in.”
Evans ran a 4-2-5 scheme at Los Fresnos and Cantu seemed open to making changes to the Chargers’ defensive scheme to get closer to winning a district title for Brownsville Veterans.
“He’s held up a couple of district title gold balls, he’s been there, done that,” Cantu said. “We’re hungry for that, hungry for an opportunity to compete for that. That’s where we want to be. He chose to be with us, so hopefully he has the same vision with us.”
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.