
The San Quentin Warriors come into the 2019 season 3-4 against the Golden State Warriors coaching staff—the biggest game of each season, and also having the coach for the last two seasons step down to attempt to become a player on the team again. On 2/10/2019, while watching the Lakers v. Sixers on ESPN/ABC, we touched on these issues with the new coach of the San Quentin Warriors, Anthony Evans, in the following interview.
SQN: Coach, what’s your philosophy for upcoming season? I’ve heard that the old playbook is out. Is that true?
Evans: Yes. The old play- it looks like algebra to some of the players. With anything with more than one moving part—it only takes one moving part to throw the whole thing into chaos. For that reason, we’re going back to a more freestyle form of basketball.
SQN: With The Q becoming a non-designated yard, does that mean any special consideration for players arriving here seeking to get a spot on the team? Has anyone tried to say to you that you have to have certain types of people on the team?
Evans: No. When I came into the meeting for consideration of becoming the coach, I established that there’s no strings attached to the position. No one has a guaranteed spot. There’s 15 jerseys and each one is up for grabs. I run this team as I see fit, period. There are no quotas, no limitations, no reserved seating, none of that. We’re looking for the elite players on the yard.
SQN: So, does that mean that each player on the team is there based on their ability to play the game and their knowledge of the game?
Evans: Yes and no, for the most part, yes. Its ability, effort and the style of basket- ball that I envision.
SQN: Does a person’s attitude have a role in making the team?
Evans: Yes! Cancers spread.
SQN: How do you deal with a player that receives a 115? (Rules Violation Report) I noticed the past two sea- sons, the previous coach has sat some big name players on the bench for some big games due to this issue…
Evans: Being an assistant the past two seasons, I was in full agreement then, and that policy still stands.
SQN: It’s the worst kept secret at The Q that there have been or are currently players that are either openly or secretly members of the LGBTQ community involved in the sports programs. How do you approach this issue with the Warriors?
Evans: Same as the military: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. There’s no locker rooms, nor do we ask what a person does in their personal time away from the game. It actually has zero to do with the game, so, no, it’s not an issue. If it becomes an issue, we’ll address it in a closed team meeting and deal with it. We’ll ask about that persons’ medical status – in confidence – and if it’s possible that they can expose others, then we’ll address that – in confidence. We’re not here to openly embarrass people, nor to expose their personal business. My duty is to protect all players my team and the visitors, on the court. We’re here for self-help, empowerment, community enrichment, and all that’s founded on playing basketball.
SQN: What are your goals for the team this season?
Evans: We’ve from a team to program over the past two years, so now it’s about adding “a winning program” to the resume.
SQN: I noticed you went and found two really good veteran players and brought them onto the coaching staff; what do they bring to the table that you think will improve the team?
Evans: Fifty years of experience on the court; a working knowledge of the game. Some veteran leadership and some teachable skill sets
SQN: Rapid Fire questions… I’m going to say something and you give the first word/phrase that comes to mind, okay?
1. March Madness: Excitement!
2. Bob Myers: Wonderful! 3. 1⁄2 Man 1⁄2 Amazing (Anthony Ammons): Bedrock of the team.
4. Kurt & Kent Lacob: The ultimate humanitarians. 5. LeBron James: Best in the game.
6. Bobby Knight: Great tactician, but I would never have sent my child to Indiana!
7. Kevin Durant: Still growing
8. Harry Smith (ATL): Work in progress
SQN: Thanks for the time coach.
Evans: Looking forward to a competitive and exciting season. I thank all the coaches, former coaches and peers who thought me worthy to be the coach and I was humbled by that. I hope to reward their trust in the program.