Foundation Academy taps new boys hoops coach

WINTER GARDEN It was a little more than three-and-one-half years ago when De’jon Everson came to the campus of Foundation Academy to work for the school maintenance staff.

Since then, Everson has lent a hand wherever he could. The former college basketball player helped coach the boys varsity program, the boys junior varsity and middle-school programs, the boys and girls track and cross-country programs, and this past winter, he was the head coach for the girls varsity basketball program.

The passion he brought to all of those previous roles was rewarded recently when he was named the head coach of the boys varsity basketball program after former coach Al Peterson left the program two weeks ago.

“It was always one of my dreams to get a head-coaching job,” Everson said. “I’m just happy with the situation.”

Everson’s new role will include overseeing all of the school’s basketball programs, including the girls team he just coached to a district championship and playoff appearance. Replacing him in the role as girls’ head coach is Everson’s cousin, Tyree Crutchfield, who was an assistant for the team this past season.

Although this will be Everson’s first go-round as a varsity head coach in boys basketball, he comes in with plenty of familiarity with the Lions’ players, many of whom he coached at the middle-school or junior-varsity levels. 

Originally from Georgia, Everson played basketball collegiately, first at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College before finishing his career at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. After he concluded his playing career at TNU, he served for two seasons as a graduate assistant, getting the ball rolling on his coaching career.

Now, with just one senior leaving the program because of graduation, Everson is optimistic about the future.

“Give me six or seven guys that will run through the wall for me, and I’m going to be successful,” Everson said.

Contact Steven Ryzewski at [email protected].