Joe Evans won’t return as Independence’s football coach in 2015

Independence High football coach Joe Evans will not return for a third season, Patriots athletics director Kelly Lewis confirmed to the Observer Thursday.

Lewis would not elaborate on the reason for Evans’ departure. Evans could not be reached for comment.

Lewis said the timing was not ideal with football offseason workouts in full swing.

“We will start the search (for a new coach) immediately,” Lewis said. “We know we’re behind the 8-ball there (with the timing), but we’re going to move as fast as possible.”

Evans was 20-6 in two seasons. In 2014, he led Independence to a 12-1 record, which included an unbeaten regular season and a return to the No. 1 spot in the Observer’s Sweet 16 poll. Independence had not been there in six seasons.

This story was originally published March 5, 2015 at 5:18 PM with the headline "Joe Evans won’t return as Independence’s football coach in 2015."