Eagles optimistic ahead of 2026 season

SPOKANE — Aaron Best the head coach of Eastern Washington football, is heading into this season optimistic, he said at the Big Sky Conference Media Kickoff Weekend.  

“Everybody's undefeated in the offseason,” Best said. “Had a really good productive spring. You don't know until you get into camp. I mean, you really don't know until you get into games. (We’re) excited about the opportunity. Got to stay healthy, like every year that helps. Availability is number one, and that's our job as coaches is to put them in the best position they can to be the best they can be on the field.” 

Best, defensive tackle Isaiah Perez and running back Malik Dotson represented the Eagles in Spokane over the weekend as the Big Sky Conference officially kicked off the new season. All schools were in attendance to talk with media about their outlook on the upcoming football season.  

Last season, the Eagles finished 5-7 in the regular season. Despite a rocky start to the year, EWU started 3-1 in conference play. They also had a ranked win over the University of Idaho and a near upset of the University of Montana.  

While these moments don’t indicate what the future may look like for the Eagles, Best feels those games and their game against Northern Iowa can be taken as learning moments.  

“Those are visuals that are in our control that we can build off of,” Best said “I don't know that it transports you into wins because you got close. We're not trying to be close, we intend to win. If we don't win, how do we get back to the next week doing the winning things?” 

One of the key changes they’ve made this offseason was bringing in new strength and conditioning coach Mike Perez, Best said.  

“Mike Perez has done a phenomenal job there," he said. "Worked a little speed, worked a little strength, it was different from top down. I think that will enhance us for the long game this fall." 

Best also went to work bringing in experienced talent through the transfer portal, mainly on the defensive side of the ball where they lost the most players from last season. The Eagles brought in defensive end Carson Moore from Bakersfield Junior College, cornerback Jordan Pierro from Louisiana Tech, cornerback Jesse Taylor from San Jose State and LJ Roberts from Sacramento State.  

“In the meantime, we've got to develop some healthy competition,” Best said. “We got a 105-person roster, and we're going to fill it out how we intend to fill it out. We got a ton of guys coming back on offense outside of a couple positions. That's the way it ended up being a bit unbalanced as far as bringing in a few more guys on defense, but we lost more guys on defense. That's why we're trying to replenish those arenas.” 

Eastern has historically been known for offense; last couple of years have leaned differently, Best said. Ultimately, their goal is to execute complementary football with a strong run game, screen game and protection to maximize dual-threat quarterback Nate Bell. Best also emphasized success up front on the offensive line as a key to everything else. 

Returning to the fold this season on offense is Dotson, who missed all but one game last season due to a foot injury. As kickoff for the regular season inches closer by the day, he is eager to end his Eagles career on a high note.  

He noted his recovery went well, only having to go about five weeks with no contact on it, he said. While he is eager to hit the gridiron once again, he is also focused on his presence with the team off the field.  

“My leadership, not really on the field as much as off the field and trying to get the guys on the same page, everybody to that standard that we set when the season ended last year,” Dotson said.  

Last season Bell led the team with 759 yards on 118 attempts. With Dotson returning to the rotation, he’s hopeful to take some of that weight off his shoulders. He is also confident in the depth of talent in the Eagles running back room. 

“We have one of the best running back rooms in the Big Sky from top to bottom,” Dotson said. “We have some freshmen coming in as well. It'll be real deal players. Iron sharpens iron, and every single day, whether it's summer conditioning, whether it's weights, we’re always on each other. Outside of football, we hang out, it's a real nice brotherhood.” 

For Perez, he is eager to take in very moment he can in his last season as an Eagle.  

“I'm really excited,” Perez said. “The team brings a lot of returners and a lot of close friends and teammates, and so I think it's going to be really fun to get on the field and show everybody the joy and the love that we have.” 

As a leader on defense, Perez has seen firsthand how the Eagles newcomers have taken to the teams' culture and standards.  

“A lot of our returners have been really bought in," he said, "and so it makes it an easy transition for the transfers and the freshmen to come in and see the buy in of the group and being able to join the group and just follow right in their footsteps I don't think it's been a big transition, it feels like we've been playing with them for years, and it's going to be fun." 

Perez was also quick to identify what he hopes the team's identity becomes this season.  

“I'm hoping it's going to be joy,” he said. “That's what we've lived through in the past seasons is the ‘Joy Boys,’ and so hopefully we go out on the field and have some fun, show the fans what football really is. It's about having fun and having a love for the game.” 

As Best and the Eagles evaluate their schedule this season, they face several challenges including opening the season against conference opponent Northern Arizona on the road. On the flip side, several of their tougher opponents like Northern Iowa, Northern Colorado, Montana State and Montana will be hosted by the Eagles.  

Regardless, Best said it’s the Big Sky conference at the end of the day, and they will have to go out on the field and show what they’re capable of.  

“Top to bottom, (we’re in the) strongest conference in the nation,” Best said. “The interesting piece this year is the first game against NAU, so that'll have a different element in preseason camp because there’s a little bit more on the line.” 

    Eastern Washington Football Head Coach Aaron Best (right in red), Malik Dotson (middle in red) and Isaiah Perez (left in red) answer questions for media day at the Big Sky Kickoff Weekend in Spokane.
  

    Eastern Washington Football Head Coach Aaron Best (right in red), Malik Dotson (middle in red) and Isaiah Perez (left in red) answer questions for media day at the Big Sky Kickoff Weekend in Spokane.
  

    Not pictured: Aaron Best, Isaiah Perez and Malik Dotson represented the Eagles in Spokane as the Big Sky Conference held its kickoff weekend.