EFFINGHAM, Ill. – A coroner says Eastern Illinois University's assistant football coach has died following a car crash that happened as he returned home from a game.
The team had a playoff game against Southern Illinois University earlier Saturday. Effingham County coroner Leigh Hammer confirmed early Sunday morning 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 accident happened. He says the car apparently swerved to avoid a deer. It wasn't immediately clear if anyone else was injured.
Hoover was in his third season as Eastern Illinois' offensive line coach. He had previously worked at Portland State University.
EIU lost Saturday's matchup 48-7.
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