Eastern Illinois offensive line coach Cole Hoover, show here during his playing days for the Panthers, grew up in Charleston where his father was an assistant coach under Bob Spoo. EIU holds its annual spring game at 11 a.m. Saturday at O’Brien Field. (Photo by Dave Winder, Murray State Athletics)
By Dan Verdun
A year ago, Cole Hoover returned “home.” This spring, he was back in his comfy chair.
Hoover grew up in Charleston when his father, Jeff, was the Eastern Illinois offensive line coach under head coach Bob Spoo. He later played offensive line for the Panthers and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from EIU.
It isn’t a stretch to say that the community and university are in his blood.
“It was a great experience for me and my family. It taught me a lot about being a man. I’m thankful to get two degrees from this place,” Hoover said. “I met my wife here; we just welcomed my first-born son here a month ago.”
At 11 a.m. Saturday, Hoover and the Panthers will play their annual spring game at O’Brien Field.
The 27-year-old was hired by current Eastern head coach Chris Wilkerson as an offensive assistant in 2022. The following year, Hoover served as a graduate assistant at FBS Ball State.
After spending last spring at Western Illinois when former EIU offensive coordinator Joe Davis was hired as the Leathernecks’ head coach, Hoover returned to Charleston to coach tight ends under Wilkerson.
Not all of his time in the community has been easy. His father was killed in a car crash returning from EIU’s playoff game at Southern Illinois in November 2009.
Yet it was that very community and university that provided much-needed support.
“It got me through a very difficult point in my life,” Hoover said. “It’s home. It’s just such a special place and I’m thankful for that. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
Comfort zone
The tight end unit that Hoover coached last season produced 39 receptions for 447 yards and four touchdown catches.
However, when the opportunity to take over the offensive line came about, Hoover jumped at the chance.
“I love those (tight ends), and I still chop it up with them every single day, but it’s very humbling to be back at offensive line. It’s where I played and where I coached,” he said. “I couldn’t be more thankful for this opportunity.”
Nic DiSanto has started 19 games for the Panthers, splitting time at both left and right tackle. The junior said he’s excited to be under Hoover’s guidance.
“We know that he wants us to succeed in anything that we do, on the field or off the field,” DiSanto said.
Lessons learned
Though just four years into his coaching career, Hoover has gained valuable experience.
“My first time here with Coach Wilkerson was about building a culture and a team,” he said. “(I learned) how you go about things, the little minor details, to build something successful.
“When I got to Ball State, it was a bit of a change. They were coming off a (Mid-American Conference) championship, so it was about how you sustained and continued success.”
In his brief time at Western Illinois, Hoover also was the recruiting coordinator.
“Included in that I learned to evaluate the nooks and crannies of recruiting laws and guidelines, dealing with transfers, all those details for recruiting. It was very good to be there,” he said.
O-line evaluation
EIU currently has 12 offensive linemen listed on the roster. That group has accounted for 60 games played and 35 starts for the Panthers.
Eastern added transfers Dante Thompson from Robert Morris and Jordan Yandila from Division II Adams State. Canadian Dejan Guzina joined the team as a grayshirt following an early high school graduation.
As the most experienced offensive lineman, DiSanto has taken on a leadership role in acclimating the new faces to the team.
“It’s just making sure that they’re always around us, whether it’s we’re all going out to eat or having a bonfire,” he said. “It’s making sure that we all roll together as one.”
DiSanto has already seen Thompson’s impact.
“He’s an older guy,” DiSanto said of the redshirt senior, who was a starter at his previous school. “He’s played a lot of football, so he understands the game. A lot of people can lean on him, though he’s a newer guy.”
Former lineman Elkhanan Tanelus has joined the EIU staff as a graduate assistant. The Naples, Fla., native played in 39 career games with the Panthers.
“He’s done a great job, and he’s going to be an amazing coach in this profession,” Hoover said. “He’s been a great resource for our guys. He’s been that bridge between player and coach.”
Dan Verdun is a co-founder of Prairie State Pigskin. He has written four books: NIU Huskies Football, EIU Panthers Football, ISU Redbirds Football and SIU Salukis Football.
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