CHARLESTON, Ill. – Tragedy struck the Eastern Illinois athletic family for the second time in less than a month as Panther assistant football coach Jeff Hoover was killed in a single vehicle accident late Saturday night just south of Effingham, Ill.

Hoover along with his family and EIU strength coach Eric Cash and his family were returning from Eastern Illinois first round playoff game at Southern Illinois when the vehicle they were driving swerved to miss a deer and rolled over. Two people were released from the hospital early Sunday morning while all others involved in the accident were transported to a hospital in Champaign, Ill., for further observation.

“We are very saddened by the loss of Jeff Hoover,” stated EIU athletic director Barbara Burke on Sunday morning. “He was a valuable member of our football staff and was looked up to by the young men in our football program. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Penny and their two children along with Eric Cash and his family in this difficult time.”

Hoover, 41, just completed his third season as the Panthers offensive line coach. He had previous assistant coaching stops at Portland State, Utah State, Henderson State and UC Davis. 

The latest information on the remaining accident victims is that two children have been released from the hospital while the other child is currently being held at Carle Hospital in Champaign, Ill. for observation. Eric Cash, his wife Sherri Cash along with Penny Hoover (wife of Jeff Hoover) are all in stable condition also at Carle Hospital.

Chris Vaccaro (Senior – Offensive Lineman)
“Football coaches around the country turn into a second father for most of us players and for some of us our only father figure. Coach Hoover was that person to many of us. He always had an open door where we could come in and talk to him about anything at anytime. He was a great man and a great coach. He always asked for the best from all of us. He will be missed by not only the offensive line but the entire EIU family.”

Roy Wittke (Eastern Illinois Offensive Coordinator)
“It was both a pleasure and honor to have worked along side Jeff for the past two years. What stands out in my mind was how he conducted himself on a daily basis. He was a family man in the truest sense of the word. His own family was his number one priority in life and he treated his players as if they were part of that family.”

Barbara Burke (Eastern Illinois Athletic Director)
“We are very saddened by the loss of Jeff Hoover,” stated EIU athletic director Barbara Burke. “He was a valuable member of our football staff and was looked up to by the young men in our football program. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Penny and their two children along with Eric Cash and his family in this difficult time.”

Tim Walsh (Former Head Coach – Portland State University)
“Jeff was a great friend and one of the funnest guys I coached with. He will be truly missed by anyone who had the opportunity to know him.

Scott Maxfield (Head Coach – Henderson State University)
“It is very sad and tragic. We were awakened very early Sunday morning and made aware of the news. He was more than a good coach, he was a great friend. Even after he left us at Henderson, we stayed in touch. Everyone on our staff was close to him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Penny and their two children along with Eric Cash and his family in this difficult time.”