Northwest Notes: Jan. 1, 2022

Bhonapha to return to

Boise State coaching staff

Former Boise State assistant Keith Bhonapha will return to the Broncos as associate head coach and running backs coach, head coach Andy Avalos announced Friday.

Bhonapha previously coached running backs at Boise State from 2009-13 before leaving for the University of Washington with former head coach Chris Petersen. He spent the last eight seasons (2014-21) working with the Huskies’ running backs.

“Coach Bhonapha has both the experience and knowledge that comes with building and growing programs, and his work developing running backs speaks for itself,” Avalos said. “I am excited to bring him back to a place that he helped build, and am looking forward to him assisting us in taking this program to the next level.”

In addition to spending his last 13 seasons working with running backs, Bhonapha served as recruiting coordinator for the Broncos from 2011-13 and for the Huskies from 2014-19. He also served as the University of Washington’s special teams coordinator in 2021.

“During my last eight seasons at UW I watched Boise State from afar,” Bhonapha said. “I started my career at Boise State and it holds a special place in my heart. I’m juiced to return to one of the greatest cities in the country to help Coach Avalos and the staff continue to build upon a foundation that Bronco Nation can be proud of.”

While at Boise State, Bhonapha mentored five-consecutive 1,000-yards rushers, including Jay Ajayi in 2013 (1,425 yards), D.J. Harper in 2012 (1,137), Doug Martin in 2010 (1,260) and 2011 (1,299) and Jeremy Avery in 2009 (1,151).

Lewis returning to coach

Gonzaga men's soccer

After being the named the head coach for the 2021 season, Gonzaga Director of Athletics Chris Standiford announced that Aaron Lewis has been retained as head coach of the men's soccer team.

"It's an amazing blessing to know that there is a long-term opportunity here for me to lead at Gonzaga. There is literally no place I'd rather be," Lewis said. "I would like to sincerely thank Chris Standiford and Shannon Strahl for entrusting me with this program. Their support and leadership through my interim season was critical to the momentum that we built this fall. I'd also like to thank the coaching staff for consistently using their talents so well for the benefit of our guys, and the entire player group for buying in to our vision from day one. We're just getting started."

Lewis moved into the head coaching role at Gonzaga on April 21, 2021. He was named an assistant coach on the Bulldog staff heading into the 2019 season. Lewis came to GU after six seasons as the men's soccer head coach at Corban University.

Stuart Heringer, a goalie from North Idaho College, signed with Gonzaga during the national signing day in November.