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BBRC Member Tim Moriarty presents Brent Myers with a box of instant mashed potatoes.
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In anticipation of renewal of a very old rivalry, the Idaho Vandals came to Montlake last Saturday to help Washington open its football season. Brent Myers, a Shoreline native, Eastern
Washington graduate, and a football coach at Eastern, Northern Arizona, Boise State, and Arizona, was introduced as the new offensive line coach for the Huskies. Tim Moriarty
awarded Brent a box of instant mashed potatoes, commemorating the last Husky win over Idaho in 1973.
The opening game is history, with the Huskies emerging victorious 44-20. Both teams performed well and the opening day crowd wasn’t disappointed.
Brent was hired by Coach Rick Neuheisel in March. “It was a whirlwind time for me … I had just taken a job at Arizona and was called by my
coach and informed I’d been offered this position at Washington. I returned to work out with my Wildcat players, then boxed everything up,
flew to Seattle, and had my first work session with my new line. I’d be the first coach in history to work for two different PAC-10 teams in two successive days.”
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Reveille editor John Mix kibbitzing with Brent Myers. What’s that mess all over the front of Mix’s shirt?
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One of the attractions in coming to Washington was being able to join offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson. “I knew coach Gilbertson when he was at Idaho and I coached at Eastern. I always
wanted to work with him. I come by my Husky intentions honestly … my dDad was a security guard at Husky stadium when I was going to Shoreline.”
Myers gave highlights of what fans can expect from the Huskies this season. “We’re rated 14th in the pre-season. I have four returning starters … three seniors and one junior to the line.
Chad Ward, at 6’6” and 340 pounds, is an All-American candidate. The line averages 308 pounds. My challenge will be to develop all of the young kids on our offensive line.”
Marques Tuiasosopo is “the consummate student-athlete,” said Myers. As the team leader, he has many offensive weapons which makes Washington a difficult team to defense.
Myers described the new playing surface, known as Field Turf, to which many universities have turned this year. “WSU and Washington both have
installed this new surface, which looks and feels much like real grass, is softer, and doesn’t guarantee the turf burns players received each week
from AstroTurf. It’s really player friendly and has a great cutting surface.”
Coach Myers’ audience was captivated by his even-handed report about his team, their opponents, and the work ahead of them. If his appearance
at the BBRC is any indication, the Washington Husky’s offensive line is in great hands – those of Brent Myers.
Thanks to Bob Holert for his introduction.
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