CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Growing up on the west side of Corpus Christi, Miller head football coach Justen Evans attended games regularly at Buc Stadium and it did not take him long to figure out what he wanted to do with his life.
" I will never forget, I was just eleven years old and I sat on the other side of the bleachers watching Moody play," said Evans. "I said to myself that I am going to be there one day on that sideline coaching"
After a stellar playing career at Moody, he got his college education; and after a brief stint in criminal justice, he found himself on a fast track to coaching success. Following numerous stops at area schools as an assistant coach, he became the head football coach at Alice.
Evans became just the third African American to be hired as a head football coach/athletic coordinator in CCISD history and first at Miller High School. The Bucs have enjoyed tremendous success since he took over the program and believes since he also grew up on the west side, he has formed a special bond with his players.
"I am not embarrassed or scared to say that I have an influence because when they look at me, they are able to look at a mirror," said Evans. " They see someone who has worked hard and gives them hope they can succeed too."
Evans says he became an educator because of his mom. Margaret Evans is the principal at West Oso Junior High School and Evans calls her his greatest influence. Like his mom did with him, he wants to inspire other minorities to be successful in coaching.
"I want other African Americans in this business to succeed and I want other young and aspiring African American coaches to get the same opportunity to be in the same spot I am in," said Evans.
