Eastern Washington University confirmed Thursday (Feb. 25) that head football coach Aaron Best has tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss this Saturday's season-opening game at Idaho. At this time, Best is asymptomatic.  
      
Per NCAA rules, the entire team and staff are given PCR tests every Wednesday.  The most recent test results were received Thursday morning, with Coach Best being the only positive result. 
 
Following institutional and regionally-approved contact tracing protocols for positive tests, it was determined that no other team members or staff needed to be quarantined. The decision to play the football game, as scheduled, was made during a Zoom call hosted by the Big Sky Conference featuring medical staff and athletic administrators from both Universities. Coach Best will be under isolation protocols for an undetermined amount of time, with CDC guidelines followed.
 
"It is certainly unfortunate not to be able to enjoy this Saturday as an entire EWU football family," said Best. "The team is ready to compete and their preparation to get to this stage has been nothing less than incredible. We will all be back together soon!"
 
Entering his fourth season at the helm, Best said that assistant head coach/defensive coordinator Eti Ena will fill the coaching duties that he is unable to fulfill remotely while in isolation. Best said the team was told of the situation early this afternoon.