Football: Huron program gets national spotlight during Michigan game
The Ann Arbor Huron football team scored a mention – and even a photo – on national TV during the Wolverines’ season-opening game last month against Minnesota, televised by ABC.
The report was on Michigan’s Chris Evans, the standout running back who was suspended by the university and forced to sit out the entire 2019 season because of an “academic issue.” He is back playing with the Wolverines after helping coach the River Rats during his time away from the U-M program.
During Michigan’s season opener at Minnesota, ABC sideline reporter Maria Taylor told the story about one of the ways Evans spent his year off.
“He told us that (coaching at Huron) gave him a new outlook on coaching and how much you have to trust your players, and even if they make mistakes you have to put them back in,” Taylor said.
Chris Evans. Photo courtesy of U-M Athletics.
“He learned a lot and taught a lot.”
ABC play-by-play man Chris Fowler said Evans, “owned his mistake and paid a pretty big price.”
Huron head coach Antaiwn Mack said it was “great” having Evans around the program and helping teach the players.
“It was great for our players to learn and to get to know a Division 1 player who is still playing the game and learning himself from some of the best coaches in the country,” Mack says. “The kids really looked up to him and he built a really nice relationship with them.
“It was so great to have a young, energetic kid who is still playing the game around our team.”
Mack says Evans was at the school and doing some different workouts and they just bumped into each other and started talking football.
“He was very nice and said if I ever needed any help, to give him a call,” Mack says. “So I called him and asked if he would help us with our special teams and he was glad to help.”
Evans was the Wolverines’ second-leading rusher in 2018, with 423 yards on 81 carries (5.2 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. He also caught 18 passes for 148 yards and another touchdown.
The Indianapolis native had five carries for 19 yards with one score, and a 10-yard reception at Minnesota.
