After taking over at Pitt starting in the 1986–87 season, he guided the Panthers to regular season Big East Conference titles in 1987 and 1988, several top 10 rankings in the polls (including as high as #2), and saw the team advance to five NCAA tournaments and one NIT. John Calipari was an assistant under Evans at Pitt prior to him obtaining the head coaching position at UMass. Evans' win–loss record at the University of Pittsburgh was 147–98 (.600) over eight seasons.
After taking charge of the Pitt basketball program in the 1986-87 season, he led the Panthers to regular season Big East Conference titles in 1987 and 1988, achieved several top 10 rankings in national polls (including a high ranking of #2), and led them to five NCAA tournament appearances and one NIT appearance. John Calipari was an assistant coach for Evans at Pitt before becoming head coach at UMass. Evans' overall record as the Pitt coach was 147-98 (.600) over eight seasons.