Joshua Bennett
Eastside Catholic School has a strong focus on athletics and offers a range of sports programs for its students, including football. The school's football team, the Crusaders, is led by Head Coach Dominic Daste, who was appointed in 2019. The team has seen success, with notable alumni including Gee Scott, Jr. '20 and J.T. Tuimoloau '21, who won a national championship with Ohio State. In terms of offensive strategy, the team is coordinated by Coach John Thompson (JT), who joined in 2022, and the primary signal-caller is Drew Miller, a Washington high school passing great. Miller's offensive strategy involves keeping a group of standouts happy, including productive returners Sam Adams and Gio Ursino at running back and Tavarus George and D.J. Rogers at tight end.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Offensive Coordinator | John (JT) Thompson |
| Head Coach | Dominic Daste |
| Wide Receivers Coach | Drew Miller |
| Defensive Coordinator | Rob Christoff |
| Offensive Line Coach | Blake Bentz |
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What You'll Learn
Offensive coordinator John Thompson
Offensive coordinator John "JT" Thompson joined the Eastside Catholic football staff in 2022. He is a former collegiate athlete who played as a wide receiver at Washington State University from 2013 to 2017. Thompson then transitioned into coaching, landing the wide receivers coaching position at Monroe High School from 2020 to 2022.
At Eastside Catholic, Thompson brings his experience and skills as a former player to provide invaluable insights and mentorship to his wide receivers. His exceptional skills as a player and coach earned him the recognition of being named the Seattle Seahawks Week 6 Coach of the Week.
Thompson holds a bachelor's degree in sports management from Washington State University, demonstrating his dedication to his craft and his understanding of sports administration and management. His role as an offensive coordinator involves developing and implementing offensive strategies for the team, working closely with the head coach, Dominic Daste, and other assistant coaches to ensure the team's success.
Thompson's focus on offense is complemented by the work of defensive coaches like Rob Christoff, the defensive coordinator, and Blake Bentz, who specializes in offensive and defensive line techniques. Together, they work to enhance the skills and performance of the Eastside Catholic football team, fostering an environment of mentorship and development.
Through his experience, dedication, and mentorship, Offensive Coordinator John Thompson plays a pivotal role in shaping the Eastside Catholic football team's offensive strategies and the overall growth and success of the athletes both on and off the field.
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Offensive line coach Blake Bentz
Bentz's expertise and passion for the game led him to take on significant roles at Bellevue Junior Football, serving as the defensive coordinator in 2018 and offensive line coach in 2019. His ability to understand the intricacies of both offense and defense has made him a valuable asset to any team he works with. In recent years, Bentz has focused his efforts on training offensive linemen at all levels, including high school, college, and even NFL players.
His holistic approach to coaching aims to enhance players' skills and on-field performance, ensuring they reach their full potential. Bentz's impact extends beyond the football field, as he also emphasizes the importance of character development and mentorship. By instilling values such as discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship, he prepares his athletes for success both on and off the field.
The success of Eastside Catholic's offense can be attributed to the strong foundation laid by Coach Bentz, who ensures that each player understands their role and executes their techniques flawlessly. His ability to identify and develop talent has contributed to the team's offensive prowess, making them a force to be reckoned with on the field.
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Wide receivers coach John Thompson
Coach John Thompson (also known as JT) joined the Eastside Catholic football staff in 2022 as the varsity football offensive coordinator. He is a former collegiate athlete who played as a wide receiver at Washington State University from 2013 to 2017, demonstrating exceptional skills on the field.
Coach Thompson's playing career provided him with invaluable knowledge and experience, which he now imparts as a mentor to his wide receivers. His coaching career began at Monroe High School, where he served as the wide receivers coach from 2020 to 2022. During his time at Monroe High School, he honed his coaching abilities and developed a deep understanding of the nuances of receiver play.
As a former wide receiver himself, Coach Thompson understands the challenges and techniques required to excel at the position. He can teach the fundamentals, such as precise route-running, crisp footwork, and sure-handed catching. Additionally, he can impart more advanced skills, like reading defensive coverages, creating separation, and making contested catches.
Coach Thompson's playing days at Washington State University allowed him to develop a keen eye for talent identification and player development. He knows what it takes to succeed at the collegiate level and beyond, and he uses this insight to prepare his players for the next level of competition. His mentorship extends beyond the football field, as he also helps his players develop important life skills, such as discipline, teamwork, and a strong work ethic.
In recognition of his outstanding coaching abilities, Coach Thompson was named the Seattle Seahawks Week 6 Coach of the Week. This honour was bestowed upon him after he led the Eastside Catholic football team to an incredible comeback victory against Roosevelt. Trailing by 19 points (or 20 points, according to another source) in the fourth quarter, the team rallied to win the game 27-26. This achievement highlighted Coach Thompson's ability to instill resilience, focus, and a winning mentality in his players.
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Drew Miller as primary signal-caller
Drew Miller, a former high school All-American quarterback, was hired as the offensive coordinator for Eastside Catholic in 2022. Miller, who set 11 passing records during his time at Lakes High School, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the team.
As the primary signal-caller, Miller's offensive strategy focuses on utilizing the talents of every player on the team. He emphasizes the importance of having multiple players on offense who can make a significant impact. Miller's approach is not only about executing the plays but also adding some creative elements to keep the defense guessing.
Under Miller's leadership, the Eastside Catholic offense can be expected to showcase more ingenuity, particularly in the passing game. With his background as a record-setting quarterback, Miller understands the importance of a well-rounded offensive strategy. He recognizes the need to involve different players and create opportunities for them to excel. This approach not only keeps the defense on their toes but also boosts the confidence and morale of the entire team.
Miller's offensive playbook is likely to include a mix of well-executed basic plays and some surprise elements, or what he calls "kill shots and wrinkles." By keeping the defense off-balance, Miller aims to maximize the potential of each player and create a dynamic and unpredictable offense.
The addition of Drew Miller as the primary signal-caller has undoubtedly strengthened Eastside Catholic's football program. His extensive knowledge of offensive football and his ability to bring out the best in each player have elevated the team's performance and positioned them for even greater success on the field.
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Head coach Dominic Daste
Dominic Daste is a former UW Rose Bowl champion who took over as head coach of Eastside Catholic in 2019. He joined the coaching staff in 2015 as a strength coach and P.E. teacher and eventually became the offensive line coach. During his time with the team, the Crusaders have lost only four games and won two state titles.
Daste is originally from San Dimas, California, where he attended Damien Catholic High School. After graduating, he attended the University of Washington on a football scholarship, earning four letters in football and graduating with a bachelor's degree in geography in 2002. During his six seasons as a player and coach at the University of Washington, the team went to a bowl game each year, including the 2001 Rose Bowl.
Daste's coaching career began in 2003 when he became an assistant football coach at the University of Montana, where he also assisted with the strength and conditioning program. He then moved to UNLV in Las Vegas as an assistant football and strength coach from 2010 to 2014. In July 2015, he joined the Crusaders' staff at Eastside Catholic and was later named head coach in 2019.
Under Daste's leadership, the Crusaders' offensive line has thrived, amassing 4,797 yards and averaging 41.3 points per game. He has helped guide the team to a 13-1 record and a state championship. Daste's long-term goals for the program include national relevance and competing with top football programs. He is dedicated to the craft of coaching, finding it more rewarding than he initially anticipated.
Daste's impact extends beyond the football field as he also serves as Eastside Catholic's Dean of Students, a role he assumed full-time in August following his appointment as head coach.
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Frequently asked questions
Dominic Daste was named the head coach in 2019.
John Thompson (JT) joined the Eastside Catholic football staff in 2022 as the offensive coordinator.
Coach Fetui is the defensive line coach and is currently in his seventh season as an EC coach and fifth as the varsity defensive line coach.
Drew Miller, an all-time Washington high school passing great, was hired to run the offense in 2022.
