CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. - Southeast Missouri added a heap of experience to its coaching staff with the hiring of Jessie Evans. Evans officially began his duties as the Redhawks top assistant this week.

Evans is a former head coach at two Division I programs and has served as an assistant coach at several other notable Division I schools, including Arizona. He assisted Lute Olson for nine years, helping the Wildcats win the 1997 national title. Evans was credited with recruiting some of Arizona's top players.

"I am pleased, excited and honored to work with Coach Nutt and his staff," quoted Evans. "Coach Nutt is one of the most respected coaches in our field. His teams have always been well-prepared, tough-minded, very competitive and athletic. They always seem to enjoy playing the game, sharing the ball and having success."

Evans helped mentor a total of 14 Arizona players that have played in the NBA, including Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, Damon Stoudamire, Khalid Reeves, Chris Mills, Sean Elliott and Sean Rooks. In all, he has recruited and/or coached 26 players who played in the NBA during his career.

"Coach Evans brings a wealth of experience to our program," said Southeast head coach Dickey Nutt. "I've known Coach Evans and we have been friends for nearly 20 years. I have always admired his body of work. His recruiting background speaks volumes and we welcome his experience."

During his nine years at Arizona, the Wildcats won five then-Pac-10 titles and participated in nine-consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Arizona was also ranked as high as No. 1 in the nation during the 1988-89 and 1990-91 seasons, and No. 2 in 1989-90. The Wildcats reached the Final Four in 1993-94 after winning the NCAA West Regional.

Evans' recruiting resulted in a great deal of on-court success, with his recruiting classes consistently ranking among the nation's best. His 1996 class was ranked in the top-five nationally by virtually every national recruiting service.

Most recently, however, Evans went 45-57 in nearly four seasons (2004-07) at the San Francisco helm. He coached just 12 games during the 2007-08 campaign before taking a leave of absence. In his last full season, the Dons tied for third in the West Coast Conference with an 8-6 record.

Prior to that, Evans won four regular-season Sun Belt Conference championships and two Sun Belt tournament titles at Louisiana-Lafayette. He compiled a 132-81 record in seven seasons (1997-2004). The Ragin' Cajuns also made two NCAA Tournament appearances, garnered two NIT berths and won at least 20 games four times under Evans.

Evans has an overall coaching record of 177-138.

In addition to Arizona, Evans also worked as an assistant at Minnesota, San Diego State, Texas and Wyoming.

Evans was an All-State basketball player, playing four years with the varstiy team at Pontiac Central High School. He attended Eastern Michigan University, where he played for four seasons before earning his bachelor's degree in 1972 and master's degree in 1980.

Following his college career, Evans served as player-coach with the Flint Pros in the Continental Basketball Association for one year in 1972-73 before taking the head coaching position at Flint Northwestern High School. He guided that team to a three-year record of 57-18, a state runner-up finish in 1975 and a Saginaw Valley title in 1976.

Nutt is still looking to fill Southeast's No. 3 assistant coaching position.

Jessie Evans File

Born: Lebanon, Tenn.
Spouse: Nancy
Children: Daughter Jayda; Son Jarret

Education:
Pontiac Central High School (Pontiac, Mich.)
B.A., Eastern Michigan, 1972
M.A., Eastern Michigan, 1980

Athletic History:
Four-year letterman at Eastern Michigan (1968-72)

Coaching History:
San Francisco, Head Coach (2004-2007), Record: 45-57
Louisiana-Lafayette, Head Coach (1997-2004), Record: 132-81
Arizona, Assistant Coach (1988-1997)
Texas, Assistant Coach (1986-1988)
Wyoming, Assistant Coach (1984-1986)
San Diego State, Assistant Coach (1982-1984)
Minnesota, Assistant Coach (1976-1981)
Flint Northwestern High School, Head Coach (1974-1976)
Flint Pros (CBA), Player/Coach (1972-1973)