Newly-named SouthArk women’s basketball interim head coach Nate Evans, right, leads the Stars women through drills last fall.

South Arkansas Community College assistant basketball coach Nate Evans has accepted the role of interim head coach for the Stars women’s program after current women’s head coach Nate Davis this week announced his pending departure.

Evans, an El Dorado native, was an assistant for both the women’s and the men’s teams under Davis during the 2021-2022 season. Both programs improved during his tenure, the women from winless in the 2020-2021 season to 7-10, and the men from 5-15 in the 2020-2021 season to 12-12.

Evans was among the first group of players to suit up for the Stars, having played under Davis for the inaugural SouthArk men’s team in 2019-2020. He was a student assistant for the Arkansas Tech University men’s basketball program in 2020-2021.

Evans will assume duties officially later this month when Davis leaves for an assistant women’s basketball coaching position at the NCAA Division II level.

"I am extremely blessed to be in this position,” Evans said. “Being able to coach in my hometown at the school where I played is an incredible honor, and one I won't take for granted. The sky is the limit for SouthArk women's basketball." 

He was an accomplished player at the high-school level, having been selected as All-State once and All-Conference three times at Parkers Chapel High School. He currently is a university studies major at Southern Arkansas University, due to graduate with a bachelor’s degree next month.

“Nate Evans’ familiarity with SouthArk basketball runs deep,” SouthArk athletic director Dr. Derek Moore said. “During this past season, coach Evans served as head coach during times of coach Davis’ absence. Additionally, Coach Evans helped to recruit the incoming student athletes for the 2022-2023 season. Naming coach Evans as interim head coach provides the continuity needed as the women’s program prepares for the 2022-2023 season.”

South Arkansas Community College's Nate Davis has elected to step down from his role as men's head basketball coach at the close of the 2021-2022 season. Davis will continue as the women's head coach.

Davis, whose men's teams have accumulated an overall record of 24-36 in three years including an 11-9 record so far this season, is the only head coach that the Stars program has had since its founding in the 2019-2020 season. He is an El Dorado native.

He provided the below statement upon tendering his resignation:

SouthArk Friends and Family:

The past three years has been an incredible ride and a dream come true for me. Being able to coach men’s basketball at the collegiate level in my hometown of El Dorado will be something I will cherish forever.

I am writing this to announce I will be stepping down as the men’s head basketball coach at South Arkansas Community College following the conclusion of this season. I have enjoyed my time leading the men’s program; however, I feel it is time to step aside and bring in a new face.

Thank you to my athletic director Dr. Derek Moore for giving me this opportunity. Thank you to the SouthArk fanbase for your tremendous support over the past three years. Thank you to my coaching staff (Nate Evans, Clint Knighton, Mason Lockhart) for working long hard hours to get our student-athletes where they need to be. Thank you to my wife Kristen and our three amazing kids for their love and support during my time in this role. Finally, I want to say thank you to my players. Thank you for trusting me as your head coach. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives. I have wonderful memories with you all that will last a lifetime.

I will continue my role as the women’s head basketball coach moving forward. Great things are happening here at South Arkansas Community College and I am proud to be a part of it!

Coach Nate Davis