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Disgruntled Evans speaks out

Ex-Husker says team wouldn't let him change decision

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Posted: Tuesday September 21, 1999 01:22 PM

DeAngelo Evans: "Actually, I'm kind of glad to be out of there. "It's not the same program I signed with." AP

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Running back DeAngelo Evans, who quit Nebraska after a series of career injuries and a slow start this season, said he left because he was frustrated over his amount of playing time.

Speaking out Monday for the first time since he quit, Evans expressed his anger at Nebraska head football coach Frank Solich and his teammates.

"I'm hurt because the guys I played with really don't understand what's going on," said Evans, a fourth-year junior. "I worked so hard in the offseason. I've been a model citizen. But the program is showing me no love."

Evans said he met with Solich on Monday to part ways for good. He plans to withdraw from classes at the University of Nebraska and transfer to an undetermined NCAA Division I-AA school.

"Actually, I'm kind of glad to be out of there," Evans said. "It's not the same program I signed with. I just feel coach Solich is being stubborn and classless."

A spokeswoman for the team said Solich would have no comment about Evans this morning. After practice on Monday, Solich said he wanted to put the Evans situation behind him.

Solich said Evans would have remained the team's No. 1 running back had he stayed. Evans started the Cornhuskers' first two games, rushing 19 times for 74 yards. He split time with Dan Alexander, who had 21 carries the first two games against Iowa and California.

Evans said his anger reached a high point following the Huskers' Sept. 11 home game against California, when he carried the ball six times in the 45-0 win.

"How can you give me six carries and expect me to be happy?" Evans said from his hometown of Wichita, Kan. Evans said he left Lincoln for Wichita the Sunday following the California game. He called Solich shortly after arriving at his family's apartment.

"I told him that unless some major changes were made, I was through. And all he said was, 'Do you want your release [from your scholarship]?' He never told me to calm down and think it through or anything like that. That just egged me on," Evans said.

Evans said he told Solich he was frustrated and hung up.

Evans said he apologized to Solich last Tuesday and expressed his desire to return to the team. But Solich, Evans said, wanted to consult with the players and coaching staff before making a decision.

Several days later, after hearing that some players didn't want him to return, Evans said he told Solich he did not think it was a good situation for him with the team anymore.

"I was still hoping he would tell me they wanted me back," Evans said. "But he said, 'Yeah, I agree. I don't think the team wants you back and I'm not sure I want you either.'"

Evans, who worked out on his own in Wichita during the summer, said there also was a strained relationship with NU physicians and team strength and conditioning coaches.

Evans' career at Nebraska began in 1996 with an outstanding freshman season but it quickly went downhill with a series of injuries.

 

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