Evans could bring recruiting experience to NMU

The four finalists for the head men’s basketball coaching job at Northern Michigan University will all be on campus this week. In fact, the first finalist was on campus today.

Dan Evans, an assistant men’s basketball coach at Hillsdale College, was the first finalist to visit Marquette. He has worked for John Tharp, the head coach at Hillsdale for the past six seasons.

During his playing days, Evans played for Tharp at Lawrence University, a Division III school in Wisconsin. The Chargers’ website says that Evans has established himself as an effective recruiter.

If he were to get the job at NMU, Evans says there are two states where he would focus his recruiting efforts towards- Michigan and Wisconsin.

“Those would be our primary recruiting grounds,” said Evans. “We would try and grow them as a staff as he move forward. We hope to field a team that represents our geographical region and is a good representative for the university.”

Evans has never been a head coach at any level, but he thinks he can guide the men’s basketball program in the right direction.

“I have no doubt that this is a ground up rebuild and I’m comfortable with that,” Evans said. “We can wipe the slate clean for the university, for the community, but also for those kids.”

During his playing days at Lawrence, Evans guided his team to a Division III Elite Eight appearance in 2004.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week, Tom Brown, an associate head coach at Winona State, will be on campus for his visit on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Jeff Kaminsky, the head coach at Valley City State, will be in town.

The fourth and final candidate, the men’s head basketball coach at Ferris State, Bill Sall, will have his interview on Thursday.