Q&A with Head Coach Justin Evans
USL News Feature -
Thursday, January 21, 2010
PITTSBURGH, PA – USLsoccer.com caught up with newly-named head coach Justin Evans of the USL Second Division Pittsburgh Riverhounds. The new man in charge discussed his playing career and the year ahead.
Q: You have been a player/assistant coach the past two years. What have been the positives and challenges of that position for you?
A: I think one big positive would have to be that I was still able to be in all of the practices as a player and play in the games as well. It was also a big positive that I was able to learn from a coach with the experience that Gene Klein carries on his resume. From him I learned a lot about the day to day operations of the Club, scheduling of practices and how to deal with some of the coaching aspects which will make this a smooth transition. The only challenge that I encountered was how to separate myself from the role of asst. coach to the role of being a teammate with the boys.
Q: How has that two-year stint prepared you for the head coaching position?
A: Again, I learned a lot from Gene, as well as the fact that I am in the office everyday speaking with players, potential players, agents, etc… We are also very fortunate in Pittsburgh to have many experienced ex-players and coaches to help with any issues or just to talk about the game. I look forward to working closely with the extensive coaching network here, including Gene, Paul Childs, Jeroen Walstra, John Kowalski, and many others.
Q: You have been an All-League selection in USL-2 the past two seasons, logging significant playing time. Will you be battling the urge to lace them up during the season, or will you be keeping yourself in the roster?
A: As a player and competitor who has played this game my entire life, I know that I will always have the passion to play the game. I will still be able to lace them up with the boys in training on a daily basis, so I will have to get my fix there. I will keep myself fit just in case, but I do feel that it is necessary to keep the coaching and playing aspects of the game separate in order to make what we are trying to do work.
Q: Looking back on your playing career further, what does it mean to take the reigns of the club that made you their first-ever signing back in 1999?
A: Being named the Head Coach of The Pittsburgh Riverhounds Professional Soccer Team is something that is very special in its own right indeed. If you couple that with the fact that I grew up here as a youth player Pittsburgh, and was the first ever player signed by the Club, than yes it is a very significant step in my soccer career!
Q: You finished second in the USL First Division in assists (14) that year, what memories stand out for you from your first year as a professional?
A: My first professional year had many memories, some good and some bad, but finishing second in the entire league in assists is something that I will remember for a long time. The other memory that really stands out from our inaugural year is the tremendous support that we received from the great fans in Pittsburgh. We had nearly 5,000 fans for every single home game! This year we look forward to getting back to those numbers of fans at all of our home games again.
Q: Your lone USL-1 All-League selection came as a member of the Charleston Battery in 2004, what do you think about facing the Battery again this year?
A: The Charleston Battery, from top to bottom, has been a first class organization for as long as they have been in existence. I have many great memories of my playing days in Charleston and still have very good friends living there. It will be great to go back to the Low Country, it will be better to go back and get a win.
Q: As you prepare for 2010, what are the key things you are planning to do as coach and what kind of players are you looking for?
A: It is evident to me that after our previous two seasons, it is time to shake things up here. That will mean that some players who have been here, will no longer be here and this will give new players an opportunity to come in and make an immediate impact on the 2010 squad. The one thing that I learned growing up in Western Pennsylvania is that Pittsburghers follow a winner, and that is exactly what I intend to give them in the very near future!
