LA GRANDE, Ore. – Eastern Oregon Head Football Coach Solo Taylor has announced the addition of new Offensive and Defensive Coordinators who will join his staff ahead of his first season leading the Mountaineer Football program.

Offensive Coordinator
Miguel Avina will join Mountaineer Football as the team's Offensive Coordinator. He arrives at EOU from the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP), where he spent three years as Director of Player Personnel and Assistant Quarterbacks Coach. Prior to that, he served as a Graduate Assistant working with quarterbacks at Austin Peay State University.

"Miguel brings a proven background in player development, recruiting, and offensive strategy," said Head Coach Taylor. "His experience and energy will be a great addition to our staff as we continue to build the Mountie football program."

During his time at UTEP, Avina played a key role in roster management, recruiting operations, and quarterback development at the FBS level. He helped the program secure the No. 1 recruiting class in school history in back-to-back years.

Before his tenure at UTEP, Avina spent two seasons at Austin Peay State University as a Graduate Assistant, primarily working with quarterbacks while earning his master's degree in Health and Human Performance. His time there coincided with one of the most successful stretches in program history, highlighted by back-to-back conference championships, an undefeated 2023 season in UAC play, and an FCS playoff appearance.

At Austin Peay, Avina contributed to the program's 2022 ASUN Championship and 2023 UAC Championship. During his tenure, the team ranked among the top 10 offenses in the FCS. He also helped coach standout quarterback Mike DiLiello, a third-team FCS All-American, Walter Payton Award finalist, UAC Player of the Year, first-team All-UAC selection, and APSU record holder.

Avina also brings high school coaching experience, having served as Assistant Head Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator, and quarterbacks coach at Shadow Hills High School. There, he helped lead the team to the best record in school history and a playoff appearance.

A graduate of Whittier College, Avina earned his Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology in 2020. He was a four-year starting quarterback, building a strong foundation in leadership and offensive execution.

"We're blessed and thankful to be part of Eastern Oregon University and the La Grande community," said Avina. "My wife and I are incredibly excited to be here. EOU is a special place, and I'm looking forward to getting to work with our players."

Defensive Coordinator
Bryan Mills returns to Mountaineer Football as the program's Defensive Coordinator. Mills previously served in the same role at Eastern Oregon from 2020–2023, after beginning his time with the program as a Defensive Backs Graduate Assistant in 2016. Prior to his earlier stint at Eastern, he coached at the NCAA Division I FCS level and NCAA Division III. 

 "Bryan is an outstanding coach and proven play caller in the Frontier Conference" said Head Coach Taylor. "A Mountaineer through and through, he has consistently developed high-quality football players and young men while leading defensive units that sustain success at a high level."  

During his tenure as defensive coordinator, Mills led one of the conference's top defensive units. His players earned three Frontier Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors, along with fourteen All-Conference selections and four All-American accolades.

In 2021, Mills guided the Mountaineer defense to a strong national showing, ranking 36th in the NAIA in scoring defense by allowing just 22.8 points per game—third best in the conference. The defense also ranked third in the conference in sacks (28.0), which stood 24th nationally.

The 2020 season, played in the spring of 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, saw Eastern Oregon go 3–1 and capture its first Frontier Conference title. The Mountaineers swept the league's major awards, highlighted by Chase Van Wyck being named Defensive Player of the Year and earning AFCA-NAIA First Team All-American honors, while four additional players received All-Frontier recognition.

As a graduate assistant in 2016, Mills helped guide Eastern Oregon to its first NAIA playoff appearance in program history. The team advanced to the semifinals, including a quarterfinal victory over defending national champion and top-ranked Marian, and finished the season 10–3. He earned his Master of Business Administration from EOU in 2017.
In addition to his experience at Eastern Oregon, Mills spent three seasons at Eastern Washington as a defensive analyst before being promoted to a safeties coach, contributing to the program's 2018Big Sky Conference Championship and FCS National Championship run. He also returned to his alma mater, Pacific University, where he coached safeties for two seasons and helped the Boxers earn a share of the 2014 Northwest Conference regular season title.

A graduate of Pacific, Mills earned his Bachelor's degree in Education with a minor in sociology in 2014. He was a four-year starter for the Boxers, leading the Northwest Conference in pass breakups in 2012 while earning All-NWC honors multiple times.

A native of Eastern Oregon, Mills is a graduate of Imbler High School, where he was a four-time All-Old Oregon League selection and a two-time All-State honoree as both a quarterback and defensive back.

"My family and I are extremely grateful and excited to be rejoining the Mountaineers. Eastern Oregon is a special place, with passionate football fans and athletes. I look forward to contributing to the environment here, and getting to work with the rest of the coaching staff and players."

Together, the additions of Avina and Mills mark an exciting new chapter for Mountaineer Football under Head Coach Solo Taylor. With a strong blend of experience, energy, and proven success on both sides of the ball, the Mountaineers are well-positioned to build a competitive and dynamic program. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the future of Eastern Oregon football looks bright, driven by a staff committed to excellence, player development, and championship culture.