Maxwell and Goles join Eagle staff for ‘25-’26 season

CHENEY, Wash. — In preparation for the 2025-26 season, head coach Joddie Gleason announced the hiring of Brynna Maxwell and Dora Goles as assistant coaches for Eastern Washington women's basketball. The two new assistants look to build on the progress the Eagles made last season, going into Gleason's fourth season leading the program.
Maxwell is well familiar with the area after playing at Gonzaga for two seasons (2022-24), where she earned two All-WCC first team honors. Originally from Gig Harbor, Wash., Maxwell initially started her collegiate career at Utah (2019-22), earning two All-Pac 12 honors, along with a spot on the 2020 Pac-12 All-Freshman team. Adding to her list of honors, Maxwell appeared on the Ann Meyers Drysdale watchlist in three seasons and the Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year watchlist for two seasons.
Following graduation, Maxwell was drafted 13th in the WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She spent last season playing in the Liga Femenina Endesa for Celta Zorka Recalvi in Vigo, Spain.
Eastern will be Maxwell's first collegiate coaching opportunity, but worked as a summer camp coach for both the 'Zags and Utes in their offseason. During camp season, Maxwell taught team concepts and individual skills, while building relationships with both potential student-athletes and their high school coaches. Maxwell worked as an assistant coach for Gig Harbor High School in spring of 2021.
Maxwell earned her bachelor's of science degree in communications, with a health minor from Utah, while placing on the Dean's List in three years. She then earned her master's of arts in organizational leadership from Gonzaga, landing on the President's List for two years.
Goles jumps ship from Idaho State to join the Eastern staff after spending the past three seasons with the Bengals as an assistant coach. Goles is an alumni for Idaho St., playing at guard from 2017 to 2021.
As an assistant coach, Goles helped prepare scouting reports and breaking down film, while focusing on player development for the guards. She was key for the Bengals recruiting effort, designated as the international student-athlete recruitment and retention expert. Goles was also involved in the team's strength and conditioning program, along with fundraising, summer camp coordinator, social media coordinator, community service coordinator, booster engagement liaison and director of basketball operations. Prior to the 2024-25 season, Goles was elevated to the No. 2 assistant by head coach Seton Sobolweski.
During her three seasons coaching at ISU, Goles coached All-Big Sky selections Laura Bello, Tasia Jordan and Kaecy Spink.
Goles had a decorated playing career as a Bengal, earning one All-Big Sky first team selection (2020-21) and one second team selection (2019-20). She helped guide ISU to a pair of Big Sky championships in 2021 and 2022. Balancing life as a student-athlete, Goles earned All-Academic honors all four years in Pocatello.
Prior to being a Bengal, Goles played at Western Wyoming Community College from 2016-17, earning NJCAA All-American honors and first team All-Conference for Region IX.
Goles was a double major at Idaho St., earning a bachelor's of science in psychology, followed by a bachelor's for arts in sociology. She then pursued and earned a master's for physical education, with an emphasis on athletic administration.
A native of Split, Croatia, Goles represented the country's junior national team from 2010 through 2016, earning team captain from '11 to '16.
Maxwell and Goles join the revamped Eagle coaching staff for the '25-'26 season.
EWU went 7-11 in the Big Sky, going 11-20 overall for the 2024-25 season.
The Eagles have nine returners and added six newcomers for the '25-'26 roster, including 2025 Big Sky Freshman of the Year Kourtney Grossman. The Billings, Mont. native set the program freshman record with 314 rebounds, also earning a Big Sky honorable mention. Also returning is senior Ella Gallatin, who ranked fourth on the team with 9.2 points per game on 35.4 shooting.