Kenny Evans became head coach of the Northeastern State RiverHawks football program in 2008 after 28 years as an assistant coach at six other universities. During that span, Evans coached in six Bowl games, two national playoffs, and was part of a coaching staff that won eight conference championships. His ninth conference championship was added last fall as the RiverHawks posted their first winning season in 10 years.

Evans has coached or recruited nine All-American, 11 conference players of the year, over a dozen who have made it into the National Football League, as well as numerous All-Conference players at seven different colleges.

Before taking the NSU job, Evans coached linebackers at Louisiana Tech for Derek Dooley in 2008. In 2005, he was named the National Assistant Coach of the Year by the Football Foundation while coaching at the University of North Texas on the staff of Darrell Dickey.

While at North Texas, Evans had phenomenal success as the assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator. He helped build that program to its greatest success where the Mean Green won 38 conference games in a row, four conference championships and qualified for four bowl games. During that stretch, Evans' defenses were nationally-ranked in most statistical categories, a feat also accomplished at Missouri Southern and Southeastern Oklahoma.

The Warner, Okla., native and Northeastern State graduate began his coaching career at Miami (Okla.) High School in 1981 before joining the college ranks as a graduate assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma for Barry Switzer and the Sooners. Afterwards, he followed long-time Sooner offensive coordinator Galen Hall to the University of Florida where he coached wide receivers for the Gators for one year.

His coaching career took him on a 12-year run with the late Jon Lantz to Southeastern Oklahoma and later to Missouri Southern. As defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator, Evans helped rebuild both program to national prominence before joining Dickey at North Texas.

"I have been fortunate during my career to be a part of some great programs and great mentors," said Evans, whose father, Pete Evans, was a long-time and successful high school coach.

His experiences at NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II levels infused a wealth of knowledge into the RiverHawks' program upon his arrival on campus. His philosophy is simple -- "Discipline, Organization, Enthusiams and Energy."

Evans is making good on his promise to return Northeastern State to the glory years of the past, exemplified by the 2010 LSC North championship.

"These first three years under my belt have been a cultural changing time for our program," said Evans, "and it has set the foundation for the return of championships as we develop quality student-athletes. I am extremely excited where this program is headed and look forward to seeing us turn the corner with great years ahead of us."

Evans has a 13-year-old son, Elliott, who plays football, basketball and the violin.

The Evans File

Bowl Games Coached (6) -- Fiesta, Orange, New Orleans (4x)

Conference Championships (9) -- Southeastern (SEC), Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), Big 8, Oklahoma Intercollegiate, Sun Belt (4x) & LSC North

Playoff Games Coached (2) -- NCAA Division II, NAIA

Honors -- Football Foundation Assistant Coach of the Year, 2005