Nick Menegas, a Spokane native graduated from Shadle Park High School in 1972 and Eastern Washington University in 1976. He got his first coaching experience directly out of college in Newport, Oregon. He was the head high school football coach, boy’s basketball coach, and girls track coach at Eddyville High School (1976-78).
Nick’s teaching included K-12 physical education, athletic fitness, art, health, intramurals coordinator, senior class and yearbook advisor. He spent the summers attending Oregon State University working on his graduate work toward a Master’s degree.
Eddyville High School did not have a home football field. Upon his arrival, Menegas and the community turned a cow pasture into a football filed. The Eddyville Eagles soon had a facility to host their football opponents, creating enormous community pride.
Nick accepted the head football position in Post Falls in 1978 leading the Trojans to six league championships and a state championship runner-up in 1985. He taught physical education, strength training and conditioning, and health. He also served time as the school’s athletic director for one year.
Menegas ultimately settled in Lewiston beginning in 1986 and served as head football coach through 1999. From 1992-1996 his Bengals played in 4 state championship games, capturing 2 state titles in 1993 and 1996. The 96 team was 12-0. After a year off, he returned as Lewiston’s offensive coordinator (2000-2007). During this time, the Bengals made 2 more state championship appearances. As a head coach, Menegas compiled a record of 210-63-4. He retired as the winningest active football coach in the state of Idaho. His teams made the playoffs 19 out of his 23 seasons as head coach. His teams won 16 league championships, 8 semi-final appearances, 5 state championship games. He also received numerous Coaches of the Year Awards, earning the Idaho State Coach of the Year 4 times. Nick’s coaching career spanned 31 seasons, 23 as a head football coach. After 33 years in education, he retired in 2009.
Since retiring from teaching and coaching, Nick has been a weekly contributor to the Sports Section of the Lewiston Morning Tribune. His “Coaches Corner” relates the sporting world to everyday life. Menegas also works as a motivational speaker presenting a seminar entitled “Innovative, Cutting Edge Strategies to Enhance Your Skills as a Coach of Today’s Athletes.”
Without question, Nick’s biggest contribution was the impact he had on the lives of so many young men and women. 44 of Menegas’ players went on to play football collegiately with 4 playing in the NFL.
Nick’s family includes his wife Jennifer, children Michelle and Michael, step-children Adam, Ben Bridgette, and Colleen. He has 9 grandchildren Kierra, Austen, Alec, Madeline, Nicholas, Dominick, Andrew, Jake and Lexi.