Dr. Phillips High hires Ray Evans as new baseball coach | Observer Preps

The Dr. Phillips baseball team has a new head coach — and the resume Ray Evans brings to his new job is one of the most impressive in the state.

Formerly the head coach at Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines since the 2004, Evans' teams won three state championships (2005, 2006 and 2010) and one national championship (2010) during his 15-year run there.

His overall record as a head coach is 517-230-2.

The hire was confirmed July 8 by Dr. Phillips Athletic Director Steve McHale. Reached by phone July 8, Evans reflected on his decision to make such a significant move from a place where he had so much success, citing family as a driving factor.

“Change is good, sometimes, and the timing was right,” Evans said. “I have family that lives up in the Orlando area … I knew there was going to be a time where we were going to relocate as a family.”

In addition to family in the Orlando area, Evans said that his son, Tyler, will be beginning his college career as a freshman at Florida Southern in Lakeland this fall. The relocation to Central Florida could open up some opportunities to see Tyler play. 

Evans’ daughter, Emily, is a rising junior volleyball player who was a two-year starter and a captain at Flanagan. He said that the family is excited for her to be joining the program at Dr. Phillips, under coach Danny Eleutiza.

Before his time at Flanagan, Evans was the coach at Miami Beach Senior High from 1990-1998 and at Dr. Krop from 1999-2003. During his coaching career he has pilled up accolades, including having been recognized as state and national coach of the year in the past.

Evans takes over for longtime coach Mike Bradley, whose Panthers advance to the FHSAA Class 9A State Semifinals this past spring and finished 19-14. Bradley stepped down after the Panthers’ run to the Final Four to take the job at Winter Springs, significantly shortening his daily commute from his home in Lake Mary. 

Evans listed Bradley among the coaches from the Orlando area with whom he has had an existing friendship — and whom he consulted when deliberating on the opening. Boone coach Pete Post and The First Academy coach Scott Grove are also among local coaches that Evans said he consulted.

When he visited Dr. Phillips to meet with school officials, he said he was very impressed by the facilities the Panthers’ baseball program has.

“I love what they’ve done with the place — it looks fantastic,” Evans said. 

Evans said that the process of relocating will be hectic, but that he hopes to be situated by August so that he can begin getting to know his new team — a team that has a roster full of returners that he is excited about.

“I’m really excited about going up there,” Evans said.