Eagles conduct combine in anticipation of the 2019 season

New head football coach Josh Brookshire implements his mode of operation immediately.

By Shaun Scott • June 5, 2019 2:01 pm

There was no rest for the weary for new Issaquah Eagles head football coach Josh Brookshire as he addressed his team for the first time on the field at Gary Moore Stadium in Issaquah.

Brookshire, who moved to Issaquah from Caldwell, Idaho on June 1, conducted his first workout with his new team on a picture-perfect 70 degree Monday afternoon on June 3. Close to 70 Issaquah football players were in attendance.

“I got moved out of my house on May 31. I drove over here on Saturday (June 1). My family will be here in a couple of weeks,” Brookshire said.

The first day of the Eagles football combine didn’t include a football. Players from seniors to freshmen partook in a five-station combine where their athletic ability was measured. Eagles athletes were measured/timed in the 40-yard dash, eye agility (ability to measure speed in short bursts from side to side), vertical leap, broad jump and bench press.

Issaquah High School athletic director Luke Ande, who was on the sidelines for the first day of the combine on June 3, was impressed with what he witnessed.

“I love the high expectations and the attention to detail. I have only worked with him (Brookshire) briefly and everything is going great. He is all about character and having his players build leadership qualities. It is exciting,” Ande said.

Brookshire said the second and third days of the Eagles football combine would consist of position specific training so his coaching staff can decide on what position each player will be playing this fall.

“I told them when I came in (in previous team meeting) that they don’t have a position anymore. They have to earn their way back into depth chart. It is a really good group of kids. They are just waiting to be coached. We want to make it exciting for them,” Brookshire said.

Since Brookshire is in his first season leading the program, each player walks onto the field with a completely clean slate.

“I have a couple of friends who are also head coaches. This (combine) is something they do with every first-year player, but with me being new to the team, every kid is a first-year player,” Brookshire said. “We thought we would open it up to the entire program.”