Bryan Mills, a defensive analyst for Eastern the past two seasons, has been elevated into a position as safeties coach for the 2019 season.
“Over the past two years here as an analyst I’ve grown to love everything about this program, and what it means to be a true EKG (Eastern Kind of Guy),” said Mils. “It is an honor to coach the safeties and be a part of the Eagle family.”
“The addition of Bryan to our defensive staff as secondary coach is something he has worked for, and now he gets the opportunity to show his abilities,” said Eastern head coach Aaron Best. “Bryan is a hard working individual who gets his first shot at coaching Division I football here at Eastern. He will be surrounded by a ton of experience (coaches and players) so the transition will be smoother. Continuity is a key to long term success and filling the safeties position with an individual familiar with our defensive scheme was pivotal.”
Mills received his bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in sociology from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., in 2014. He worked toward his master’s degree in business administration while serving as defensive backs coach at Eastern Oregon in the 2016 season.
The Mounties in 2016 earned their first berth in the NAIA Playoffs in school history and advanced to the semifinals. They beat defending national champion and top-ranked Marian 17-0 in the quarterfinals.
Prior to EOU, Mills coached for his alma mater at Pacific and served as the safeties coach for two seasons. Mills helped the Boxers share the 2014 Northwest Conference (NWC) regular season title.
On the gridiron, Mills was a standout safety for the Boxers and led the NWC in pass breakups during the 2012 season. He won honorable mention All-NWC honors twice before snagging second team all-conference accolades his senior year. In 2013, Mills finished second in the league in interceptions with four.
Mills was a four-year starter for the Boxers, beginning in 2010 when the school reinstated the football program. During his senior year in 2013, he had 60 tackles and four interceptions. Mills led Pacific in tackles each of his first two seasons, finishing with 62 tackles as a sophomore and 46 as a freshman.
Mills scored on a 100-yard defensive two-point conversion against Lewis & Clark on Oct. 1, 2011. The video of that play landed on ESPN’s SportsCenter as their “Top Play of the Day.”
A 2010 graduate of Imbler (Ore.) High School, Mills was a four-time All-Old Oregon League selection and was twice named first team All-State as both a quarterback and defensive back. As a senior, he was selected to play in both the State 1A All-Star Game and the East/West Shrine Game.
Born in Imbler, his parents are Mike and Sandy Mills, and he was one sister, Malia, who played for the EOU volleyball team. His hobbies include boating, fishing, and sports.
