Evans inks new deal

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Evans, whose current contract would have expired after the 2013-14 season, will also have his annual salary increased from $125,000 to $175,000 beginning July 1, 2012.

“The overall performance of the men’s basketball team has improved under the supervision of coach Evans,” Miller said. “We are fortunate to have one of the great up-and-coming basketball coaches in America leading our men’s basketball program for the next five years.”

Evans led the Spartans to an historic season in 2011-12. NSU set a new Division I era school record with 26 victories en route to its first MEAC title and NCAA Division I Tournament berth. The Spartans, seeded 15th in the West Region, pulled off one of the biggest upsets in modern day NCAA Tournament history by defeating No. 2 seed Missouri 86-84 in the West Region second round in Omaha, Neb. Evans’ accolades from the season include being selected 2012 MEAC Tournament Most Outstanding Coach and the Clarence “Big House” Gaines Award winner as the nation’s top Division I minority head basketball coach.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity that (NSU President) Dr. Atwater and Mr. Miller have given me in continuing to lead the men’s basketball program,” Evans said. “I look forward to building on the program’s recent success in the coming years.”

Overall, Evans has a 78-82 record in his five seasons as NSU’s head coach. His ledger also includes two winning seasons (16-15 in 2007-08, 26-10 in 2011-12) and the first two MEAC Tournament finals appearances in school history (2009, 2012).