Newark Catholic promotes Evans to girls basketball head coach

NEWARK — The month of June was a dry run for Dani Evans. The news now is official.

Evans was named Newark Catholic’s head girls basketball coach on Wednesday. The NC graduate is the school’s first female head coach.

“I am extremely humbled and excited for this opportunity as the next head coach at my alma mater Newark Catholic,” said Evans, who coached the Green Wave throughout their summer schedule after coach Rob Smith resigned to become the school’s athletic director.

“This is my dream job, and I cannot thank my mentor and my coach, athletic director Rob Smith, enough for believing in me.”

Evans, a 2016 graduate, also played softball and volleyball in addition to basketball for the Green Wave. She has coached the last five seasons on Smith’s staff.

“Dani is a very intelligent young woman that is ready for the challenge in front of her,” Smith said. “She has been an asset to our girls program the last five years. I am also very excited to hire the first female head basketball coach at Newark Catholic.”

Evans is a third-grade teacher at Newark’s Legend Elementary.

NC will be set to return three starters from last season’s Licking County League-Cardinal and Division IV district champions. The Green Wave completed an unbeaten regular season.

“It will be my privilege to promote the excellence that he has built to lead with faith and to always respect and maintain the great tradition that is Newark Catholic athletics,” Evans said.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Newark Catholic promotes Evans to girls basketball head coach