Evans testimonial from Phoenix CBS sportscaster
Posted: Tue Apr 11, 2006 2:20 pmAbout Evans after his dismissal from ASU recently. Speaks very highly of him:
Coaches in all sports lose jobs for a variety of reasons. At Cincinnati, Bob Huggins was given the boot for a zero graduation rate topped only by a DUI arrest and conviction. Let's move on the Iowa State where Larry Eustachy made a horrible decision to down some brews at a party with college students which was caught on film, costing him his job. Bobby Knight is a bully and his behavior also lost him his job at Indiana. His final straw came when he choked a kid and in this age of big brother is watching, it was also caught on videotape. Those are three examples of very good WINNING coaches who pushed the envelope and it finally caught up with them. Do you think if any of that tarnished trio were not winning coaches they would have lasted as long as they did??? Not on your life.
That brings me to Rob Evans. He was fired at Arizona State a few days after his team lost to Oregon State in the Pac-10 tournament. Rob Evans has never choked a kid, tipped a few with ASU students at a frat house or made the stupid decision of drinking and driving. His class and character are his trademark. Pardon me for borrowing an often used phrase but Rob Evans talks the talk and walks the walk. There is no deception, no deceit or hidden agenda with this man. He would never lie to a recruit or pay him off to get him to come to Arizona State. Rob and his wife looked at his team's over the years as their own kids. He treated his players like a loving parent who was and always will be firm but fair. Evans loved his players and in most cases the feeling was mutual.
He's been on the hot seat the last 2 years for not leading his Devils to the NCAA tournament. He's been criticized for not recruiting well. The 59 year old coach has even been blamed for not getting people in the seats at Wells Fargo Arena. Those are all valid reasons. Still I've been around a lot of terrific coaches and Rob Evans is among my favorite and it has nothing to do with winning and losing. It has everything to do about meeting someone with principles, honor, dignity, who's ethical and caring. ASU will move on and so will Rob. Boosters, who only care about winning, will be happy. Anyone who had the pleasure of dealing with Rob one on one will be sad and that includes this reporter.
I would take a Rob Evans over a Bobby Knight or a Bob Huggins in a heartbeat. I'd trade a few victories for a class act and clean program anytime. Despite the losses, he departs with the knowledge that no skeletons will fall out of his closet. Thanks Rob, you'll be missed more than you or any of your detractors think. [email protected]
Gary Cruz - CBS 5 Sports Anchor
Coaches in all sports lose jobs for a variety of reasons. At Cincinnati, Bob Huggins was given the boot for a zero graduation rate topped only by a DUI arrest and conviction. Let's move on the Iowa State where Larry Eustachy made a horrible decision to down some brews at a party with college students which was caught on film, costing him his job. Bobby Knight is a bully and his behavior also lost him his job at Indiana. His final straw came when he choked a kid and in this age of big brother is watching, it was also caught on videotape. Those are three examples of very good WINNING coaches who pushed the envelope and it finally caught up with them. Do you think if any of that tarnished trio were not winning coaches they would have lasted as long as they did??? Not on your life.
That brings me to Rob Evans. He was fired at Arizona State a few days after his team lost to Oregon State in the Pac-10 tournament. Rob Evans has never choked a kid, tipped a few with ASU students at a frat house or made the stupid decision of drinking and driving. His class and character are his trademark. Pardon me for borrowing an often used phrase but Rob Evans talks the talk and walks the walk. There is no deception, no deceit or hidden agenda with this man. He would never lie to a recruit or pay him off to get him to come to Arizona State. Rob and his wife looked at his team's over the years as their own kids. He treated his players like a loving parent who was and always will be firm but fair. Evans loved his players and in most cases the feeling was mutual.
He's been on the hot seat the last 2 years for not leading his Devils to the NCAA tournament. He's been criticized for not recruiting well. The 59 year old coach has even been blamed for not getting people in the seats at Wells Fargo Arena. Those are all valid reasons. Still I've been around a lot of terrific coaches and Rob Evans is among my favorite and it has nothing to do with winning and losing. It has everything to do about meeting someone with principles, honor, dignity, who's ethical and caring. ASU will move on and so will Rob. Boosters, who only care about winning, will be happy. Anyone who had the pleasure of dealing with Rob one on one will be sad and that includes this reporter.
I would take a Rob Evans over a Bobby Knight or a Bob Huggins in a heartbeat. I'd trade a few victories for a class act and clean program anytime. Despite the losses, he departs with the knowledge that no skeletons will fall out of his closet. Thanks Rob, you'll be missed more than you or any of your detractors think. [email protected]
Gary Cruz - CBS 5 Sports Anchor
