Former Airport High School football coach and athletic director Les Evans has passed away. His passing was reported by Lexington School District Two, Thursday morning.

Evans ended a 35-year career in coaching on December of 2000. He coached 25 years at Airport High School where he was head football coach and athletics director.

Airport’s current athletic director and head football coach Kirk Burnett played for Evans.
“He was always competitive,” Burnett said. “If he was playing three-on-three basketball he’d do anything to win.”

Burnett said he saw Evans in May and Evans still had that competitive edge. He also said many of Evans grandchildren played various sports at Airport. And he commanded respect.

“If he walked in the door right now, you’d sit up in your chair. You always respected him.” Burnett said Evans was well-rounded. He played baseball and coached football and basketball at a very high level.

Evans had a career record of 175 wins as a football coach. He also made the post-season playoffs 18 times in 27 years. He also had a state basketball championship when he coached at Eau Claire High School.

Sen. Nikki Setzler of West Columbia was a sponsor of a resolution to honor Evans when he retired in 2000.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

• TO RECOGNIZE LES EVANS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT AS HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND ATHLETICS DIRECTOR AT AIRPORT HIGH SCHOOL, WEST COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA.
• Whereas, the conclusion of the 2000 football season marks the end of an era for Airport High School football; and
• Whereas, Coach Les Evans ended a 35-year career in coaching on December 19, 2000, including a remarkable 25 years as Airport High School’s head football coach and athletics director; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans can boast of an outstanding career record of 175 wins as a football coach, 18 football playoff spots in 27 years and of a state basketball championship when he coached at Eau Claire High School; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans was born in New Zion and graduated from East Clarendon High School and the University of South Carolina, where he played baseball; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans has spent his life giving back to young people in South Carolina, as a coach at Eau Claire, Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Airport High Schools; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans is also the husband of Janet Evans and the father of Mike Evans and Cheryl Whittle; and.
• Whereas, Coach Evans has touched the lives of numerous high school students, including 15 Shrine Bowl players, 27 North-South Game players, 37 college football players, 11 football coaches and assistant coaches, and one NFL player, Duce Staley of the Philadelphia Eagles; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans has been honored many times for his devotion and success as a coach of student athletes, including being named Shrine Bowl head coach, North-South Game head coach, the Region 3-AAAA Coach of the Year seven times and as a 1999 NFL and Carolina Panthers Coach of the Week; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans has worked tirelessly for the young people of South Carolina during his 35-year career; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans’ devotion, commitment, leadership, and character will be sorely missed; and
• Whereas, Coach Evans’ dedication provides a positive role model for his students and his peers. Now, therefore,
• Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
• That the members of the Senate recognize Coach Evans for his distinguished accomplishments and contributions to his students, and upon his retirement we wish him longevity and prosperity.
• Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Coach Les Evans.