By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Now in his third season as a member of the Pittsburg State University football staff, former Topeka High standout Tyrell Everett has settled in nicely to Southeast Kansas.
Tyrell Everett
"I definitely have,'' said Everett, the Gorillas' assistant head coach, defensive line coach and defensive run game coordinator. "They treat me so good down here. Our head coach (Tom Anthony) is like family to me and this community has definitely welcomed me in and the players are unbelievable. Of course the standards are high here and we coach them hard, but we love them so much on and off the field.''
But the 32-year-old Everett, who will be in Yager Stadium for Saturday's 1 p.m. Pittsburg State-Washburn MIAA contest, knows he wouldn't where or who is today without his Topeka roots and the challenges he faced and overcame along the way.
"Everything I've done I've been blessed by the good Lord upstairs and it's exciting to be able to represent my city,'' Everett said. "I think that's what I'm most excited about. Wherever I go I say I'm from Topeka, Kansas and I don't bat an eye.
"When you look at all I've been through and the stuff that I've overcome, and to be able to come out of the environment that I was able to come out of and make it and then be able to come back and coach in that environment and allow people to see that you can thrive out of Topeka, it's just fun to be part of that fraternity and to be able to say, 'Hey, I'm from Topeka.' ''
After graduating from Topeka High Everett played collegiately at Butler Community College and Baker University before embarking on a coaching career that included stints at Butler, West Florida, Arkron, Tulsa and Clarke University before he landed at Pitt State.
Topeka High graduate Tyrell Everett works with young athletes at The Big Kev Give Back Camp in Topeka. [File photo/TSN]
Everett, who was an All-City and Kansas Shrine Bowl pick in football and also played basketball for the Trojans, has a long list of people who he credits for helping him achieve success at both Topeka High and beyond.
"The teachers, they were unbelievable,'' Everett said. "There was Paul Adams and you can't forget Lesia Carter, Pat Denney and coach (Walt) Alexander, coach (Daniel) Voth, coach (Jason) Nicol, they made a tremendous impact and then Eddie Lee. It was Eddie who really brought me to Topeka High back when I was kid. It's a blessing to have all the great role models that I've had and there's so many more out there. Robbie Sanders coached me and made a huge impact in my life and there's so many more that really helped guide me and mentor me and push me and that's why I love coaching.
"I feel like this is me giving back and it's always about taking care of the person. That's what everyone did for me. They just didn't see me for talent. They said, 'This young man needs a good education. This young man needs to be around great people and let's put this young man in an environment where he can thrive and he will reach his goals.' And now here I am and I'm grateful for those people who wrapped their arms around me.''
Everett, who earned a bachelor’s of science in education in physical education/health at Baker in 2016 and a master’s degree in sports science/coaching from Akron in 2020, remembers idolizing many of the local stars who came before him and wanting to follow in their footsteps.
"I did have faith and my faith was strong and I just saw people do it,'' Everett said. "I've always wanted more for my life and I knew I would have more for my life. I just had to keep trucking along.
"I was able to get out and learn from some great coaches and now I'm in a position that allows me to prosper and grow and also help others grow to earn their goals.''
