Jo Evans is ‘Living Her Best Life’ at UCSB

Jo Evans wasn’t scouring the job boards to immediately get back into coaching. After not having her contract renewed at Texas A&M last May following 26 seasons in College Station, she would have been perfectly content sitting out the 2023 season and spending more time with her parents.

“But I also really love coaching and I did not feel burned out at A&M. I felt like I still had a lot in the tank and still had that fire in my belly,” Evans said. “I felt like I still had something to offer if the right situation came around in a place I really wanted to live.”

That’s exactly what transpired. 

Evans received a call from a travel ball coach saying, “UC Santa Barbara is open. Why don’t you move to California?”

“We just laughed about it and that was it,” Evans said. “But it really stuck in my head.”

Evans had brought Texas A&M to Santa Barbara a few times to play during spring break trips. She always fantasized about having the opportunity to live next to the beach and get to coach, believing it was “the best of both worlds.”

But Evans knew it may be hard to apply without the athletic administrators at UCSB thinking they were on an episode of “Punk’d.”

As highly as they thought of their university, it would have been hard to fathom seeing a résumé from a Hall of Fame coach with 1,300 career wins and multiple trips to the Women’s College World Series.

Evans made sure to go through some back channels to alert them she would be applying.

“I definitely wasn’t coy about the job. I wasn’t waiting for someone to call me,” Evans said. “I really don’t think Santa Barbara would have called me. I don’t know that I would have been someone on their radar.”

The first day applicants could be contacted, UCSB athletic director Kelly Barsky reached out to Evans about her interest in taking over the program.

“I told her I know this may seem like it’s coming from out of left field but I am serious about this job. This is not a leverage thing. This is not a meantime thing to let me get my feet on the ground again,” Evans said.

A few weeks later, Evans was being introduced as the new head coach for the Gauchos, a role that has revived her spirit and brought some joy to her world.

Evans never wanted to leave A&M, a program she led to a 987-503-2 record with 22 postseason appearances and three trips to the WCWS. She worked hard to fundraise the money to get Davis Diamond built and poured her energy into competing in the SEC. 

Although the results had waned over the last few seasons, Evans always believed the Aggies could turn it around right up until the minute she was told her contract was not being renewed.

“I am not going to lie. That was a tough situation. It was hurtful. It was,” Evans said. “But it is their prerogative. It was a decision that was theirs to make and they did what they thought they needed to do. I loved it there. I loved the culture we had built and I really loved being a part of it for all those years. But I don’t have any animosity. I don’t feel bitter.”

Aside from the location, the relationship with Barsky was a big reason Evans felt going to UCSB was the perfect next step of her career.

“Once I met her, I wanted to work for her,” Evans said. “She has the ability to be ambitious and a go-getter and also really make it about the people. She truly cares about the student-athletes.”

Evans was granted permission to add another coach to the staff. She hired Amy Hayes, Joy Jackson and Caroline Hardy as assistants. 

The Gauchos didn’t have enough time to put together a fall schedule of games, so they have devoted all their energy to workouts, practices and team meetings.

“Our focus has really been about learning about the players and getting to know them as people. It’s really been about just building those relationships and teaching our system,” Evans said. “The players have been really open to it and it’s been very positive feedback. It is really refreshing how grateful they are. The former coach recruited some really great people. These are good kids.”

Evans has also been making the rounds to the other coach’s offices on campus. One of her first priorities was meeting baseball coach Andrew Checketts, who is entering his 12th season and led the Gauchos to a third straight NCAA Regional appearance last season.

“He has been so successful and I have a lot to learn from what he is doing. He can teach me a lot,” Evans said. “He’s had more than a handful of opportunities to take higher-paying jobs and leave Santa Barbara and he has chosen to stay. That really hit me, ‘OK. There is a reason people are staying here so long.’” 

Evans is starting to understand more and more as she settles into her new home. There is a certain Zen that permeates Santa Barbara. The cost of living may be much higher, but the stress level is much lower.

“There is something about the quality of life,” Evans said. “I have been in the rat race for a long time chasing that elusive national championship and getting to the College World Series every year and making those runs. This feels different. Not in the sense of not expecting to win, but it just feels like there is more joy to it. It doesn’t feel as heavy.”

Evans may no longer be in a conference that created the motto “It Just Means More,” but softball still means just as much to her. It’s been a lifelong passion and calling.

As she rides her bike to the office each day staring at the ocean views and palm trees swaying in the breeze, Evans has a peace of mind that is energizing.

“I feel really good about being at Santa Barbara and I don’t have to talk myself into it,” Evans said. “When people say, ‘How are you doing?’ or ‘Congratulations, I think?’ I tell them I am more than OK. I am absolutely living my best life.”