Jermaine Evans steps down as Rolesville football coach
Jermaine Evans, Rolesville’s first football coach, decided it was time to step down.
He announced his resignation Wednesday. Evans, 36, said football was taking up too much of his time, and that he’d like to be more involved in the activities of his five children.
“It’s takes a lot of time building a new program,” said Evans, who led the Rams to a 6-6 record last season and their first N.C. High School Athletic Association playoff appearance.
“I talked to a lot of people when I first got into this, and it was tough. It took a lot of time and effort. I have a rising senior and rising junior who are volleyball players, and I haven’t seen them play a full game yet because of the time and effort (football) took. It was time for me to take a step back and be a dad.”
Evans said he will remain a teacher in some capacity.
Evans, a former Millbrook football assistant, said he’s learned a lot in his four years at the helm of the Rolesville program. The most important, he noted, was learning to fight through adversity.
In 2014, the Rams won one game. That same season, lineman Isaiah Langston died before a game, two days after suffering a stroke after sustaining a head injury in practice.
Evans said Langston’s death has not left a dark cloud on the program because of how players honor his memory.
“That was a hard time for us,” Evans said. “Of course, the young man will never be forgotten. He will always have a special place in our heart. No matter where the program goes, No. 78 will always be in our hearts.”
Evans feels he’s left the program in good shape, especially after last year. There will be more than 30 rising seniors next season.
“The future is really bright,” he said. “It’s time to move on to the next phase in my life, and I appreciate the opportunity. … I look forward to seeing those guys next season. I’ll be their biggest cheerleader.”
Jessika Morgan: 919-829-4538, @JessikaMorgan
This story was originally published May 18, 2016 at 2:20 PM with the headline "Jermaine Evans steps down as Rolesville football coach."