Evans back at Istrouma as head football coach
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Call it an Istrouma High encore for McKinney Evans.
The veteran coach, who spent this past season as an assistant coach at Livonia High, has been hired as head football coach at Istrouma.
Evans, who has coached at six local-area schools in addition to stints at schools in Texas and other parts of Louisiana, was one of six applicants for the job.
In the early 1990s, the 56-year-old Evans coached the Indians for six seasons, winning two district titles and garnering four playoff appearances.
“I’ve been at this for a long time and I felt I wanted to be a head coach one more time,” Evans said. “At Istrouma, there certainly are challenges. But I believe the talent is there and if we work hard we can have the same kind of success we had when I was here before.”
Evans was one of six applicants to replace Alden Foster, whose contract to coach was not renewed.
Foster, who led St. Helena Central to a Class 2A runner-up finish in 2004, is embroiled in a Tangipahoa Parish-based lawsuit that stems from his application to become head football coach at his alma mater, Amite High, before his hiring at Istrouma. Foster coached the Indians to a 4-7 record and a Class 4A playoff appearance.
“We had a good pool of candidates,” Istrouma Athletic Director Cynthia Montgomery said. “There was a six-person selection committee, and each candidate had to answer a series of 15 questions. The candidates were graded, based on how they answered the questions.
“Coach Evans had the highest score. He not only has experience, but he also knows Istrouma, which is important.”
In addition to coaching six years at Istrouma, Evans spent three years each as head coach at both North Iberville and Scotlandville. Evans led Class 1A North Iberville to one district title and two playoff berths. He was Scotlandville’s coach from 2001-03, the first three years after the program was reinstated following a 20-year absence.
Evans also spent time as head coach at Carter High of Dallas, Texas, and Higgins of Marrero. He had assistant coaching stints at Acadiana High of Scott, McKinley, Livonia and Baker. Evans was the defensive coordinator at Baker two years ago when the Buffaloes advanced to the Class 3A quarterfinals.
“One of the first things we need to do is upgrade our facilities as much as possible,” Evans said. “We want the students here to have something to be proud of.
“And we’re also going to work hard both on academics and athletics. All our parents will be given a handbook that details what we expect. That’s how we’ll start.”
