E. Illinois asst. Hoover killed in crash
November 30, 2009
EFFINGHAM, Ill. (AP)—Eastern Illinois assistant football coach Jeff Hoover waskilled in a car crash as he returned home from a playoff game against SouthernIllinois. He was 41.
Hoover and his family were riding with strength coach Eric Cash and hisfamily late Saturday when their Chevrolet Suburban swerved to miss a deer androlled over just south of Effingham, athletic department spokesman Rich Mosersaid Sunday.
Two children also in the vehicle have been released from the hospital, whilea third child is being held for observation, Moser said. Cash, wife Sherri andHoover’s wife, Penny, are in stable condition at Carle Hospital in Champaign, hesaid.
Effingham is about 30 miles south of Eastern Illinois’ campus in Charleston.
Hoover joined Eastern Illinois in 2007 after serving as the offensivecoordinator at Portland State. He also worked at Henderson State, Utah State,Claremont-McKenna College and his alma mater, UC Davis, and briefly coached theArena Football League’s Sacramento Attack.
“We are very saddened by the loss of Jeff Hoover,” Eastern Illinoisathletic director Barbara Burke said. “He was a valuable member of our footballstaff and was looked up to by the young men in our football program. Ourthoughts and prayers go out to his wife Penny and their two children along withEric Cash and his family in this difficult time.”
Chris Vaccaro, an EIU offensive lineman, said Hoover always asked for thebest from his players.
“Football coaches around the country turn into a second father for most ofus players and for some of us our only father figure. Coach Hoover was thatperson to many of us,” Vaccaro said. “He was a great man and a great coach.”
The tragedy marks the second death this month for the athletic department.Assistant women’s basketball coach Jackie Moore died Nov 4 after collapsing asshe started a workout. Doctors said the 28-year-old’s heart “just stopped.”
A memorial service for Hoover is planned, but no details were immediatelyavailable.
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