Coroner: Assistant coach at Eastern Illinois dies after crash on way home from football game

Coroner: Assistant EIU coach dies in car crash

EFFINGHAM, Ill. — A coroner says an assistant football coach for Eastern Illinois has died following a car crash that happened as he returned home from a game.

The team had a playoff game against Southern Illinois earlier Saturday. Effingham, Ill., county coroner Leigh Hammer confirmed early Sunday that offensive line coach Jeff Hoover was killed in the accident.

Athletics spokesman Rich Moser had said a coach, staff member and family had been traveling back home from the game when the car apparently swerved to avoid a deer.

Hoover was in his third season as Eastern Illinois’ offensive line coach. He had previously worked at Portland State University, Henderson State and UC Davis.

Eastern Illinois lost Saturday’s game 48-7.