On February 10, 2009, Presbyterian College head coach Harold Nichols tabbed Tom Evangelista as the defensive coordinator for the Blue Hose.
In his first year with PC, Evangelista's defense recovered 11 fumbles on the year while also intercepting four passes. The group accounted for 51 tackles behind the line of scrimmage for a total of 198 yards. The defense had 14 sacks and 19 pass break-ups on the year. Leading the way on one of the youngest defenses in the nation was sophomore all-conference selection Justin Bethel, who notched a team-high 55 solo tackles and 79 total stops for the year.
Evangelista came to PC after serving nearly three years as the special teams coordinator and corners coach from nearby Furman University. During that time, he was responsible for game plan preparation and coordinating three phases of the special teams. His special teams squads ranked among the NCAA Division I-AA statistical leaders.
Prior to his time in Greenville, S.C., Evangelista worked as the defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at South Carolina State. He initially started as the special teams coordinator and secondary coach, filling in with that job for 18 months prior to changing his role with the team.
In 2004 and 2005, his defense ranked among the NCAA Division I-AA leaders in every major defensive category. His special teams were near the top as well, and his kickoff coverage team led the nation in 2004.
From 2002-2004, Evangelista was a graduate assistant/secondary assistant at Clemson University. There, he worked with the secondary, was the special teams position coach, assisted with audio/visual coordination and ran the offensive scout team.
In 1999, Evangelista took over as the secondary coach at State University of West Georgia. The following January, he also undertook the duties of defensive coordinator. Then, one year later, he was tabbed as the defensive coordinator, linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator. During the 2000 season, his defense led the Gulf South Conference, giving up a mere 19.0 points per game and 299.3 yards of total offense. The team also ranked among the NCAA Division II statistical leaders in every major defensive category.
Evangelista started working for the University of West Alabama in March 1997 after spending nearly three years at West Georgia College as a graduate assistant, tight end coach and defensive assistant.
In addition to his valuable experience on the field, Evangelista has also directed the Tommy Bowden Youth Camp from 2004-2006. An active member of the American Football Coaches Association since 1994, Evangelista earned his B.S. in mathematics and computer science from Vanderbilt University in 1994. He also has 70 hours toward a M.Ed., secondary math education, from State University of West Georgia. Evangelista also has 24 hours toward a M.Ed., in education counseling from Clemson.
Evangelista is married to the former Rebecca Simons and the couple has four children, Jack, Sarah, Ty and Nick.
