West Linn’s Jon Eagle retiring; Anthony Newman likely next coach

Andrew Nemec July 7, 2025 @ 03:17 PM

This fall will mark the last season for legendary West Linn Lions coach Jon Eagle.   And he already knows who he'd like to be his replacement - with a full endorsement from the celebrated Lions coaching staff.   University of Oregon Hall of Fame defensive back and current West Linn associate head coach/defensive coordinator Anthony Newman will be the recommended candidate.   And Newman confirmed Monday that he is open to taking the job.   Within the West Linn community, neither move is (or would be) a surpise, as the duo's long-standing connection has carried over seamlessly into Eagle's stint with the Lions.   When Newman was a star at Oregon (1984-1986), Eagle was a graduate assistant with the Ducks.   Initially when taking the West Linn job in 2022, Eagle reached out to Newman and asked why he didn't just take it over himself.   At the time, Eagle said, Newman didn't have any interest.   For his part, Newman has always preferred working directly with the kids to dealing with administration or parents.   His feelings have changed on the matter.   “This is going to be my last year, and in the meantime, I convinced Anthony that he needs to be the head coach,” Eagle said.   The legendary Northwest figure is eager to spend time being a grandpa and traveling with his wife, Debbie.    “I've got one grandson, another grandchild on the way,” he said. “My wife wants to travel in the fall, but we've always had football in the fall. I think it's time.”    Eagle has coached for more than 4 decades at the high school and collegiate level in the Northwest, including stops at Linfield College, Oregon, Portland State, Bend, Evergreen, Redmond (Washington) and Camas.   During his 29-year Washington high school head coaching career, Eagle compiled a 231-71 record, winning 12 league championships and two state titles for Camas (2016, 2019).    In the summer of 2022, Eagle became the head coach at West Linn and has won two 6A titles in his three years with the school.   That success comes from a blend of Eagle's top-to-bottom vision for a high school football program and West Linn's long-standing culture.   That “top-to-bottom” approach includes ensuring the terminology of the play-calling is the same from the youth program all the way up to high school. It also means encouraging youth programs to play all of their players and teaching them the fundamentals.    Eagle tells the story of a clinic he attended years ago in which the presenter asked coaches who had won a youth championship to stand up.   “You all should be fired,” the presenter said. “The only way you win a youth championship is if you're not playing everybody.”   “These (West Linn) youth football dads are very knowledgable and very good at what they do,” Eagle said. “We said we want retention, fundamentals and terminology. Retention is playing everybody to keep them playing and then work on the fundamentals.”   That messaging blends in seamlessly with what Newman has preached for years.   The long-standing area coach has worked with youth players all over the greater Portland area, and is a beloved personality in the region.   He's also undeniably one of the best high school defensive coordinators on the West Coast.   Technically, the job will ned to be opened up. But it will be difficult for anyone to outshine Newman in the process, especially with Eagle's highly-respected, full-throated reference.   West Linn will be in good hands.

This fall will mark the last season for legendary West Linn Lions coach Jon Eagle.