After four seasons as head coach of the Evanston High School boys’ basketball team, Lex Cornia has stepped down from the position. Cornia is also resigning his position as an English teacher at EHS; he has accepted a teaching position in Randolph.

“We appreciate Coach Cornia’s dedication and commitment to the boys’ basketball program as head coach over the last four years,” said Bubba O’Neill, activities director for Uinta County School District No. 1, in a press release. “Lex is a man of high character and is a well-respected educator. The positive example that he set for our student-athletes and staff transcends basketball.”

The Red Devils compiled a 64-44 record in Cornia’s four seasons at the helm, including a 25-5 record at home. His teams qualified for the state tournament in each of his four seasons, never finishing lower than fourth; Evanston went 21-5 (including a perfect 7-0 at home) in 2017-18, en route to winning the 4A West Regional Championship and a third-place finish at state. Cornia and his coaching staff were named 4A West Coaching Staff of the Year that season, with Cornia named the head coach of the South All-Stars.

Evanston was the No. 3 seed out of the 4A West heading into this year’s 4A State Championships; the tournament was canceled due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

“This is tough for me, but I know Evanston basketball is much bigger than its coaches -- players earned every win on this list, coaches didn't make a single shot,” Cornia told the Herald Tuesday morning. “The tradition of Evanston basketball will continue on for a long time to come.”  

O’Neill said a search for a new head coach will begin immediately.