Lincoln Memorial University President Dr. B. James Dawson and Director of Athletics Roger Vannoy proudly announced the hiring of Krystal Reeves-Evans as the 16th head coach in the history of the women’s basketball program on Friday. Reeves-Evans was selected from a strong pool of candidates to fill the position recently vacated by Roger Hodge, who elected to resign after three seasons with the Lady Railsplitters.
"It is with a great deal of excitement that I take this opportunity to announce the hiring of Krystal Reeves-Evans," said Vannoy. "Her reference recommendations read like a Who’s Who of the top women’s basketball coaches in America. Coming to Lincoln Memorial after serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Georgetown Hoyas, she is literally on the cutting edge with recruiting globally. All of these factors are reason enough to hire Coach Evans, however, the fact that she is from a highly respectable coaching family as well as being a quality person simply makes her the ‘total package’ in my estimation."
“I cannot fully express how excited I am to be the next head coach at Lincoln Memorial University, a program that has a rich tradition,” Reeves-Evans commented. “I want to thank Athletic Director Roger Vannoy for displaying the confidence in me to coach this team. I have a tremendous respect for Coach Vannoy and I am blessed to be on his staff.”
Reeves-Evans brings a depth of coaching experience with a pedigree of success in the industry. Most recently, she served as the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in the Big East Conference with the Georgetown University Hoyas, where she signed the highest ranked recruiting class in program history. Among the nation’s ninth-ranked class, Reeves-Evans inked Natalie Butler, who was unanimously selected as the 2014 Big East Freshman of the Year.
Long before joining the Hoyas, Reeves-Evans got her start in coaching as the graduate assistant at the University of Southern Mississippi during the 2002-03 season. During that short tenure, she assisted in all areas of recruiting while taking on primary responsibility for the backcourt.
From there, Reeves-Evans moved on to Gardner-Webb University in Boiling Springs, N.C., where she trained under her father, head coach Rick Reeves. Reeves-Evans wore many hats during her nine-season tenure at Gardner-Webb (2003-10), acting as the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for seven seasons before elevating to the associate head coaching role from 2010-12. Throughout her stay, she had a hand in nearly every aspect of the program including orchestrating all of the recruiting reach, directing practice, scouting and game planning for opponents and player development.
Reeves-Evans’ stay with the Runnin’ Bulldogs was marked by a number of noteworthy achievements. Gardner-Webb captured the 2009-10 Big South Conference regular season championship, highlighted by a single-season school record 28 wins. One year later, Gardner-Webb won its first-ever Big South Championship with a one-point victory over top-seeded Liberty in the Championship game. That win ushered in another program first as the Bulldogs earned its first bid to the NCAA Division I Tournament. All told, Gardner-Webb made three appearances in the Big South Championship title game during Reeves-Evans’ tenure.
Reeves-Evans experienced a successful playing career at both Southern Mississippi and Liberty University. At Liberty, she helped led the Flames to Big South Conference regular season and tournament championships during the 1998-99 campaign as the program earned its first-ever No.15 seed for the NCAA Tournament. During that same season, she was named Big South Rookie of the Week on one occasion.
Reeves-Evans boasts a highly-respected coaching pedigree as her father, Rick Reeves, has compiled 27 years of collegiate experience, while her sister, Kim Brewton, has served as the assistant coach at Middle Tennessee State since 2010. Rick Reeves – the all-time wins leader at Gardner-Webb – has surpassed over 400 wins in his illustrious career.
“I truly hope that the Harrogate community embraces my family and myself as I intend to bring championships to this program,” Reeves-Evans said. “I have been very fortunate to have a group of accomplished coaches in my circle to guide me throughout my career and I am determined to make them proud. This is truly a happy day and I am beyond grateful for this opportunity.”
Reeves-Evans holds a B.S. in Biological Science with an emphasis on Pre-Medical from Southern Mississippi as well as an MBA degree from Gardner-Webb. She is married to Jerton Evans of Fairmont, W.V., and they have three daughters, Braylee, Britton and Brielle.
“I am both humbled and honored to follow Roger Hodge who I hold in high regard as a coach and friend,” added Reeves-Evans. “He has laid the foundation for continued success by putting together an excellent group of talented young ladies that I look forward to coaching. I will work extremely hard to impact lives and develop champions both on and off the court.”
She will begin her duties as Lincoln Memorial University’s head women’s basketball coach immediately.
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