By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee State Tigers have turned to the Southeastern Conference in their bid to improve the fortunes of their women’s basketball team. Last Wednesday they announced the hiring of 17-year veteran coach Tywaune “Ty” Evans as the new head coach of the Lady Tigers. Both Athletic Director Dr. Mikki Allen and TSU President Glenda Glover were enthusiastic about the hiring of Evans.
“Ty Evans will bring an abundance of energy, enthusiasm, and a winning mentality to the Tennessee State University women’s basketball program,” AD Allen said during a virtual press conference.
“Coach Evans comes to us highly respected in the coaching field and has earned a national reputation for being a program builder, a phenomenal teacher of the game, an elite recruiter and an outstanding developer of talent. Throughout his career he has played a significant role in the holistic development of the student athletes he’s coached.”
“Words can’t possibly convey the level of happiness, excitement, and gratitude that I feel as a result of being named the next women’s Head Basketball Coach at Tennessee State University,” Evans said. “This moment is a culmination of many years of preparation, hard work, sacrifice, disappointment and prayer, and it’s a journey that I wouldn’t change. Thanks to Dr. Allen, President Glover, and the entire selection committee for entrusting me with this opportunity and to the entire “Big Blue” family, specifically my players, it’s time to … #PressPlay.”
Evans is the 12th head coach in program history. He’s spent the past seven seasons as both associate head and assistant coach at Auburn University under Terri Williams-Flournoy. During that time the team made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Evans also spent two years at Georgetown under Williams-Flournoy. He was an assistant coach at Saint Louis University during the 2001-02 season. He also coached at Alabama. As a player Evans was an All-American and a 1995 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, as well as a two year team co-captain, He received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education.
“The University was committed to hiring a seasoned veteran to provide the leadership needed to take our women’s basketball program to the next level, and he has earned the right to be a head coach,” President Glover said.
