CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Miller Buccaneers are eyeing another deep playoff run, and head coach Justen Evans has family on the sideline helping the team this season.
Justyce Evans is a team manager and daughter of Miller head football coach Justen Evans. Justyce Miller High School freshman — growing up around football as her dad coached.
Her dad is preparing the team to face Sharyland Pioneer in the area round of the playoffs Friday night. He said that he loves what he does, and her being on the sidelines with him enhances it.
"It's an awesome feeling, first, as a father to be able to have your daughter on the sidelines with you and to be able to just enjoy the things that you enjoy," Justen said.
As the Buccaneers prepare for a home playoff game on Friday, Justyce will be on the sideline on game day.
While her dad Justen coaches the football team, she is not far away as a team manager.
"Being in the stands and being on the sideline are way two different things," Justyce Evans said. "I get to see the football game happening right there. I get to see what he's doing with the football players."
Now that she is on the field, Justyce said that she can help the team by bringing them towels, water and assisting trainers. She said this is a talented team and it is great that her dad is their coach.
Justyce herself is an athlete; she runs track and plays volleyball at Miller.
When she plays her own sports, she said she can bring a coach's perspective thanks to her experience working with her dad.
"Being able to see like how passionate my dad is about the sport I can take away like, 'oh, my coaches should be that passionate, too,' " Justyce said.
Justen said that while he spends a lot of time coaching other kids, they can get that time back when they are together on the sideline.
"This is a way for her to not only be able to be an asset to our football team but, most importantly, be able to spend time with dad," Justen said.
He explained what he hopes Justyce will remember from her experience as a team manager. He said that no matter how much success her dad had as a coach, he always made time for her.