EIU offensive line coach dies in crash

CARBONDALE – An offensive line coach for Eastern Illinois was killed Saturday after a car crash that happened as he returned home from the team’s 48-7 playoff loss against Southern Illinois, a county coroner said.

The car, which was carrying a coach, a staff member and family, apparently swerved to avoid a deer, athletics spokesman Rich Moser said. Effingham County coroner Leigh Hammer confirmed early Sunday that Jeff Hoover, who was in his third season with Eastern Illinois, was killed.

It was not immediately clear whether anyone else was injured.

Hoover joined Eastern Illinois in 2007 after serving as the offensive coordinator at Portland State University. He also worked at Henderson state, Utah state, Claremont-McKenna College and his alma mater, UC Davis, and briefly coached the Arena Football League’s Sacramento Attack.

Earlier in the day, Southern Illinois ran off 48 consecutive points to whip the Panthers in the opening round of the FCS playoffs. Deji Karim rushed for two touchdowns and redshirt freshman quarterback Paul McIntosh was part of three scores.