Jacob Farmer / jfarmer@yelmonline.com
Brandon Eygabroad, head coach of Rainier High School’s varsity girls basketball team, has resigned after seven seasons with the program.
The announcement was made public by the Rainier School District Board of Directors at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 21.
Eygabroad led the Mountaineers to four straight state tournament berths, starting in the 2021-22 season.
“After seven incredible years leading the Rainier High School girls basketball program, I have made the difficult decision to step down as head coach,” Eygabroad told the Nisqually Valley News on Friday, May 23.
This past season, the Mountaineers captured their first district title since 2011, before making an unexpected early exit in the state tournament as the top seed. They finished with a final record of 20-5.
“Coaching at Rainier has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” Eygabroad said. “It was filled with unforgettable memories, competitive battles, and, most importantly, meaningful relationships that I will always cherish.”
Eygabroad, 33, took over the girls program in the spring of 2018 after spending six years as an assistant coach with the Rainier boys basketball team. He inherited a squad that won only two games the previous year.
In his first season as head coach, the Mountaineers reached the state tournament.
On Friday, Eygabroad reflected on his time as head coach.
“I’m proud of what we accomplished together, from the growth of the program to the personal and athletic development of the young women I’ve had the privilege to coach,” Eygabroad said. “I want to thank the players, their families, my coaching staff, and the school community for their unwavering support and dedication. Rainier will always hold a special place in my heart.”
The 2024-25 Mountaineers were led by All-Central 2B League first-teamers Angelica Askey and Brooklynn Swenson, second-teamer Bryn Beckman and third-teamer Janess Blackburn.
Eygabroad was named co-coach of the year alongside Nick Rashoff of Mossyrock and Chris Bannish of Adna.
Eygabroad departs a program that will enter next season with just two seniors, guard Jazzlyn Shumate and forward Zaylee Bravo. Askey, Beckman, Blackburn and Swenson are all graduating.
“When I started, they were sixth graders, and I knew they would be special then,” Eygabroad told the Chronicle’s Dylan Reubenking in March. “They set a tone where winning is an expectation and getting to state is an expectation, and that legacy will be left behind. Each one of those girls will be successful in life. They know how to handle adversity. They know how to be committed to something bigger than themselves.”
Askey and Swenson will continue on as teammates at Lower Columbia College in Longview. Blackburn is heading to St. Martin’s University to compete in the discus. Beckman, who returned this season from a torn meniscus, is Rainier’s valedictorian.
“I look forward to what’s next and will always be rooting for the Mountaineers,” Eygabroad said.
As of press time, the next head coach for Rainier girls basketball has not been announced by the school district.
