Gonzaga associate head baseball coach Evans dies

SPOKANE — Danny Evans, Gonzaga's associate head baseball coach since 2009 and a member of the staff for 19 years, died Saturday after a year-long battle with stage four melanoma cancer.

“Danny had a tremendous impact on Gonzaga that reached far beyond the baseball field,” Gonzaga baseball coach Mark Machtolf said. “He had a positive influence on hundreds of student-athletes. Danny was an outstanding baseball coach and colleague, but more importantly he was a great husband, father, and friend. He will be deeply missed.”

Evans, who was also a four-year letterwinner for the Zags before graduating from GU in 2003, was 41.

Evans was the primary recruiting coordinator, third base and infield coach. He witnessed the growth of the baseball program during his tenure. During that time the Zags had nine 30-win seasons.

Last season, GU won 34 games, won the West Coast Conference regular season title, and finished the year in the NCAA Regionals. The Bulldogs claimed five West Coast Conference titles, winning the league in 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2021 under Evans’ leadership.

He helped guide the Zags to the NCAA Regionals on four separate occasions, earning a berth via a WCC Series victory in both 2009 and 2018 while earning the program's first at-large berth in 2016.

He also led the Bulldogs to five WCC Championships since the tournament was created in 2013. Evans helped guide the club to a national ranking in seven different seasons.

Evans appeared in 162 games throughout his career at GU. Bouncing between shortstop and third base, Evans was recognized his senior season with All-WCC Second Team honors.

Evans is survived by his wife, Kellie and children, Graham and Quinn.

Services are pending.