Jim Magnuson was done — finito.

After seven successful years of coaching the Issaquah fastpitch team, he announced his resignation at the end of last season.

“I was done, I was happy with my decision,” he said.

All that changed recently, however, when the Eagles struggled to find a replacement, and the 2010 season drew closer.

“I told him it was like Black Hawk Down, you can’t leave people behind,” assistant George Bray joked. “He had to come back and rescue us.”

Magnuson, who works and lives in Renton, came to the rescue — and he doesn’t regret it for a second.

“It’s worth it,” Magnuson said. “I’ve got a good group of kids.”

The return also gives the coach a chance for redemption after a difficult end to the 2009 season. After cruising through the regular season, the Eagles stumbled in the playoffs. The team eventually ended its season in a one-run KingCo 4A tournament loss to Lake Washington — a contest Magnuson was ejected from for arguing with the umpire. His group of seven, 4-year starters finished at 18-7 and shy of the state tournament for the first time in their careers.

“I think that we ended on a real negative note as far as for the seniors, not being able to go on,” Magnuson said. “We were two legitimate outs from going to the show.”

This year’s group consists of four returners.

“It’s really different group dynamics this year,” Magnuson said. “Last year we had them for four years, so it was kind of a real comfort zone.”

Leading the small group of returners is senior pitcher Mikenzie Voves, a University of Pennsylvania signee. The hard-throwing right-hander will anchor a pitching core, helped by returning sophomore Brielle Bray.

“With pitching, we’re as capable as anybody,” Magnuson said.

Also returning are senior second baseman Amanda Marques and senior outfielder Chelsea Peart.

A large group of newcomers are expected to step up this season, including freshman catcher Heather Benjamin. Fellow freshmen Lacey Westman and Taylor Ladd join the roster. There are seven sophomores on this year’s team, including Stephanie Balkman, Traci Castonguay, Shannon Heneghan, Victoria Lyons, Christian McKone and Laura Vawter. Juniors Hanna Dingwall, Emma Ivey and Kristin Louie complete the lineup.

Even with the mostly new roster, Magnuson likes the Eagles’ chances this season.

“Our goal is to get in the top four in the league and get into the playoffs, and I believe we have the capability to do that,” he said.

As to whether this will be Magnuson’s final season — well, that’s yet to be seen.

“(George Bray) keeps telling me I have three more years,” he said. “One day at a time, that’s how I look at it, one day at a time.”

Issaquah is 2-0, but is in the middle of a three-week layoff, until its next game on April 8.