Terry Evans Named Central Oklahoma Head Coach

April 5, 2002

NORMAN, Okla. - The University of Central Oklahoma announced on Friday that Terry Evans, a former star player at Oklahoma who helped the Sooners to the Final Four this season, has been named the 16th head men's basketball coach in school history.

Evans, who was introduced to the media and UCO supporters during an afternoon press conference at Hamilton Field House, served the 2001-02 season as the director of basketball operations at OU. The Sooners finished 31-5 and won the Big 12 Conference Tournament title en route to their first Final Four appearance since 1988.

The 31-year-old Evans also served as an assistant coach at Texas Christian and had head coaching stops at Chickasha and Midwest City High Schools, leading the latter to three Class 6A state championships in a four-year stint there.

"This is the job I wanted and I'm excited for the opportunity," said Evans, whose father, Eddie, had a 50-66 record as head coach for the Bronchos from 1978-82. "I think this is one of the best jobs in the state and I look forward to the challenge. We're going to do things the right way, both on and off the court, and we're going to be successful."

"We are delighted to have Terry re-join the UCO family and look forward to him having a long and successful career here," UCO Athletic Director Skip Wagnon said. "We're excited to have him and I know he's ready to get to work to bring our program back to the level we're accustomed to."

Evans replaces Jim Seward, who resigned after the 2001-02 season following a stellar 15-year career that saw him become UCO's all-time winningest coach with a 261-165 record. Seward, who was named assistant women's coach at Nebraska earlier this week, led the Bronchos to six LSC titles and five national tournament appearances.

The Bronchos have struggled the past three years, however, going 34-43 in that span. UCO was 10-16 this past season and will have five players returning from that team.

Evans enjoyed a stellar playing career, helping lead Millwood High School to three state titles before going on to play four years at OU for Billy Tubbs from 1989-93. Evans was a three-time Academic All-Big Eight selection for the Sooners and finished as the school's career leader in assists (651) and 3-pointers (259) while ranking second in steals (265) and 13th in points (1,361).

Terry, who graduated OU with a degree in business management in 1992 and later earned a master's in human relations, spent one year in private business before going to TCU and serving as an assistant coach under Tubbs for one season.

He was assistant boys coach at Edmond Santa Fe High School in 1995-96, then served as head coach at Chickasha the following season before going to Midwest City. The Bombers had phenomenal success under Evans, going 100-11 and winning Class 6A state titles in 1998, 2000 and 2001 during his tenure.

Evans joined the OU staff last August and played an instrumental role in the Sooners' drive to the Final Four.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Terry Evans Named Central Oklahoma Head Coach

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