North Carolina State University Athletics
Women’s Tennis Adds Evan Clark as Assistant Coach
9/18/2026 3:40:00 PM | Women's Tennis
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State women's tennis has named Evan Clark as an assistant coach, head coach Simon Earnshaw announced Friday afternoon.
"Going into this search, it was important to hire someone who could essentially act as a second head coach," said Earnshaw. "That's how we've operated and what our student-athletes expect and deserve. To be able to add someone of Evan's stature, success, character and experience is a credit to how far we have come as a program, and to everyone that has contributed on and off court over the years. We are very fortunate to be able to welcome Evan and his family to the program and look forward to getting to work immediately this weekend. Go Pack!!"
"I'm incredibly grateful to Simon for this opportunity," said Clark. "I'm very excited to join the Wolfpack family. My plan was certainly not to get back into coaching, let alone this quickly, but this opportunity made so much sense for my family and me. We're really excited about the balance and opportunities it will bring for our family, as well as for me professionally."
"I've always had a tremendous amount of respect for what Simon and his student-athletes have accomplished during his time at NC State. That admiration has always been from afar, so to now have the opportunity to join this special program is a great privilege. My charge will be to help Simon and his staff develop our student-athletes and help them reach their full potential, knowing that it will ultimately culminate in achieving the program's ultimate goal: winning a national championship. My family and I are eager to get to Raleigh, and I can't wait to get started. Go Pack!"
Clark joins the Wolfpack following an 11-season tenure at the helm of Illinois, where he became the winningest head coach in program history. During his time with the Fighting Illini, Clark recorded 160 overall victories and 81 Big Ten wins, both program records, while leading Illinois to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including three consecutive appearances from 2023-25. The Illini advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament twice under Clark.
Under Clark's leadership, Illinois produced three ITA All-Americans, 13 All-Big Ten selections and 56 Academic All-Big Ten honorees. Clark was named ITA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year twice (2018, 2019) and earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2018.
Clark also helped establish a strong academic culture within the Illinois program, with the team posting a 100 percent graduation rate and a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) during his tenure. His student-athletes also earned 12 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.
Before being promoted to the helm of the program at Illinois, Clark was hired as an assistant coach in December 2014.
Clark began his head coaching career in August 2012 when he was hired to lead the program at UNC Wilmington. In two seasons with the Seahawks, he guided the program to its first Colonial Athletic Association championship and was named CAA Coach of the Year. Under his direction, UNC Wilmington also produced the CAA Player of the Year and CAA Freshman of the Year while earning 31 victories.
Prior to his time at UNC Wilmington, Clark served as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland (2010-2012) and Penn State (2008-2010).
A native of Missouri, Clark played collegiately at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he served as team captain from 2002-04 and earned First Team Mid-Continent Conference honors in 2002-03. He later competed for the University of Arkansas during the 2004-05 season to complete his collegiate career.
Before beginning his collegiate career, Clark captured the Missouri High School 4A State Singles Championship in 2002 with a perfect 31-0 record and was named the Kansas City Star Tennis Male Athlete of the Year.
Clark comes to Raleigh with his wife, Katelynn, as well as their son, Tripp, and daughters, Harper, Quinn, and Leighton Lee.
For the latest updates on NC State women's tennis, follow @PackWTennis on social media.
"Going into this search, it was important to hire someone who could essentially act as a second head coach," said Earnshaw. "That's how we've operated and what our student-athletes expect and deserve. To be able to add someone of Evan's stature, success, character and experience is a credit to how far we have come as a program, and to everyone that has contributed on and off court over the years. We are very fortunate to be able to welcome Evan and his family to the program and look forward to getting to work immediately this weekend. Go Pack!!"
"I'm incredibly grateful to Simon for this opportunity," said Clark. "I'm very excited to join the Wolfpack family. My plan was certainly not to get back into coaching, let alone this quickly, but this opportunity made so much sense for my family and me. We're really excited about the balance and opportunities it will bring for our family, as well as for me professionally."
"I've always had a tremendous amount of respect for what Simon and his student-athletes have accomplished during his time at NC State. That admiration has always been from afar, so to now have the opportunity to join this special program is a great privilege. My charge will be to help Simon and his staff develop our student-athletes and help them reach their full potential, knowing that it will ultimately culminate in achieving the program's ultimate goal: winning a national championship. My family and I are eager to get to Raleigh, and I can't wait to get started. Go Pack!"
Clark joins the Wolfpack following an 11-season tenure at the helm of Illinois, where he became the winningest head coach in program history. During his time with the Fighting Illini, Clark recorded 160 overall victories and 81 Big Ten wins, both program records, while leading Illinois to five NCAA Tournament appearances, including three consecutive appearances from 2023-25. The Illini advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament twice under Clark.
Under Clark's leadership, Illinois produced three ITA All-Americans, 13 All-Big Ten selections and 56 Academic All-Big Ten honorees. Clark was named ITA Midwest Regional Coach of the Year twice (2018, 2019) and earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 2018.
Clark also helped establish a strong academic culture within the Illinois program, with the team posting a 100 percent graduation rate and a perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) during his tenure. His student-athletes also earned 12 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honors.
Before being promoted to the helm of the program at Illinois, Clark was hired as an assistant coach in December 2014.
Clark began his head coaching career in August 2012 when he was hired to lead the program at UNC Wilmington. In two seasons with the Seahawks, he guided the program to its first Colonial Athletic Association championship and was named CAA Coach of the Year. Under his direction, UNC Wilmington also produced the CAA Player of the Year and CAA Freshman of the Year while earning 31 victories.
Prior to his time at UNC Wilmington, Clark served as an assistant coach at the University of Maryland (2010-2012) and Penn State (2008-2010).
A native of Missouri, Clark played collegiately at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he served as team captain from 2002-04 and earned First Team Mid-Continent Conference honors in 2002-03. He later competed for the University of Arkansas during the 2004-05 season to complete his collegiate career.
Before beginning his collegiate career, Clark captured the Missouri High School 4A State Singles Championship in 2002 with a perfect 31-0 record and was named the Kansas City Star Tennis Male Athlete of the Year.
Clark comes to Raleigh with his wife, Katelynn, as well as their son, Tripp, and daughters, Harper, Quinn, and Leighton Lee.
For the latest updates on NC State women's tennis, follow @PackWTennis on social media.
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