After a great deal of reflection, I've made the incredibly difficult decision to step away from college coaching at this time. It has been a tremendous privilege to serve in this role at this wonderful university. I am forever grateful to Josh Whitman and Ryan Squire for giving me an opportunity 11 years ago – thank you for taking a chance on me. Unfortunately, as tough as it is to say, in my heart, I knew it was my time to step away.
As I reflected on this decision, I couldn't help to think about a quote Tony Bennett shared during his retirement press conference: "he is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
I have always been realistic in knowing that I'm not in control of my clock, which has made me especially grateful for the time I've had here. At times, I thought my time might be shorter here, and at times I thought it might be longer. But to be honest, that time has always been on loan. This position was never mine to keep and now it's time to give it back.
But in giving it back, I gain what I cannot lose: the opportunity to be a better husband to Katelynn, a better father to Tripp, Harper, Quinn and Leighton, and a better son, brother, and friend. Losing my father this past year was heartbreaking, but it also gave me a renewed perspective on what truly matters the most moving forward. There comes a time when you feel the need to prioritize the things that matter most to you before those moments slip away. For me, that time is now. Moving forward, my goal is simple: to live with no regrets.
There are so many people to thank, but none of this would be possible without the love and support of my wife, Katelynn. She gave up her own profession so I could pursue this one and she has taken on the most important job in the world – raising our children. The peace of mind she gave me to continue in this career, along with the sacrifices she made along the way, is the only reason the last 11 years were possible. I'm excited to be a more present husband and father and to help you lead our family in this next chapter. Thank you, Katelynn.
I'm also incredibly grateful to my mom and dad. I was fortunate to have two loving and supportive parents who set the right example for me every day. I reckon that I may have taken that for granted at times but now realize none of this would be possible without the opportunities and guidance they provided over the years. Thank you, Mom and Dad.
Thank you to Josh Whitman for giving me my original opportunity int 2016. Looking back, I suspect I might not have been very deserving but thank you for giving me a chance. And thank you for continuing to give me multiple opportunities throughout your tenure to lead this program. I think most people know this but there is no one better in the business than Josh, and the University of Illinois is very fortunate to have him. I also want to thank Ryan Squire. Without Ryan's support in the early days, I'm not sure any of this would have been possible.
It truly takes a village. There are so many hardworking people behind the scenes, and none of this would have been possible without the incredible individuals I've been fortunate to work alongside. Thank you to all my sport administrators over the years: Paul, Jason, Susan, Bre, and Cassie. Thank you to all my assistant coaches who put up with me over the years: Kelly, Mel, German, Jacob, and Lex. They carried me along and I'm grateful. Thank you to all the support staff over the years. There are too many to name but thank you to all the athletic trainers, strength & conditioning staff, sports information, compliance, event management, and Atkins Tennis staff.
A special thank you to Meaghan Naas, who served as both our athletic trainer and director of operations in my time here – she was with me all 11 years. She was the most consistent staff member, not only in time, but day-to-day showing up and being there for our program and coaching staff. Meaghan has been instrumental to the success of our program and a trusted friend along the way.
Finally, to the people that made my job possible, my players: it was always about you, and it was always about the team. I am so grateful for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to both the classroom and the on the court. Your efforts made this program what it was, and you made me look good year after year. Being able to watch you grow and achieve your goals was the most rewarding part of the job. The truth is, you have done far more for me than I could ever do for you.
In the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, I'm incredibly proud to be part of a university and program that valued academic excellence and where earning a degree still mattered and was a priority. I hope you know, we always did things the right way, and in the end, that is what truly matters.
You always have been, and will continue to be, incredible ambassadors for the University of Illinois. I'm so proud of all of you, and I look forward to watching your lives take shape and unfold from a different angle. I've always been and will continue to be you biggest fan.Â
Thank you for everything, Illini.
Evan Clark
