COUNTDOWN TO CAMP: Which Idaho State assistant coach’s child is likely to be the most engaged during practice?

The Idaho State football team begins fall camp on Aug. 1.

To get you ready, we’re counting down with a question everyday until camp beings.

Today’s question marks our final one. So we decided to end it with a fun one: Which assistant coach’s child is likely to be the most engaged during practice?

In case you weren’t aware, the Hawkins family has a tradition of welcoming the families of the coaching staff to practices and other team events. The tradition began with Dan Hawkins, when he first started his coaching career several decades ago, and it continues at Idaho State under his son, Bengal head coach Cody Hawkins.

“I want my kids to be at practice so the other coaches feel comfortable bringing their kids,” said Cody Hawkins, who literally grew up at his father’s football practices over the years. “When they come to practice, you’ve got to acknowledge them. I’m going to pick up their kids. I want their kids involved in drills, I want them running water and carrying footballs and I try to always greet them and get on their level so the coaches know that I’m invested in their commitment to being a family man as well.”

So of all the kids hanging around Bengal practices, which child of an assistant coach is most likely to stir things up?

“That would be Ryder, Scott Thiessen’s boy,” Hawkins said of the son of the Bengal safeties coach and his wife Alayne. “He’s the Cody Hawkins of the group. He’s way into it, and he’s there all the time. He ran out of the tunnel with us a couple of times last year. He comes to all the camps and he’s all decked out in Bengal gear. He comes to all the practices and helps out with the drills.

“Ryder, he’s an awesome guy,” added Hawkins. “Seeing Thiessen and Ryder at practice reminds me of my younger self.”

We limited the question to the child of an assistant coach, but if we hadn’t, there’s no doubt who the rowdiest child in camp would be this week.

“Definitely my son Bowen,” said Hawkins. “He’s the most confident and the most chaotic.”