Emporia High School announced Wednesday the hiring of Evan Burns as the new head coach of the Spartans boy’s basketball program. Burns was previously the head coach at Heritage Christian in Olathe where he compiled a 64-47 record over six seasons, back to back conference championships, and a school record for most wins in a season. He also coached the 2023-24 Heritage Christian team that made a school record for 3 pointers in a season. While coaching the individual record holder for 3-pointers made. Burns said he’s excited to take over in Emporia.
He takes over for Lee Baldwin, who stepped down in early June after three seasons at the helm. Athletic Director Beau Welch said Burns was everything he was looking for in a new coach.
Burns will look to build upon an Emporia Spartans program that went 12-9 in 2024-25 and will open up the season on December 5th when the Spartans host Lansing. Burns’ hiring was approved at Wednesday’s School Board meeting during the consent agenda.
Edit: Heritage Christian is in Olathe, Kan. An earlier version of this story mistakenly reported it as being in Wichita.
