2008 PANTHER FOOTBALL QUICK FACTS FOOTBALL INFORMATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Location...... Charleston, Illinois 2007 Overall Record...... 8-4 Panther Quick Facts...... 1 Founded...... 1895 2007 Ohio Valley Conference Record...... 7-1 / 2nd Media Information...... 2 Enrollment...... 12,129 This Panther Football...... 3-9 Nickname...... Panthers O'Brien Stadium...... 10-11 Head Coach...... Bob Spoo Colors...... Blue and Gray Panther Coaching & Support Staff Affiliation...... NCAA I-AA Alma Mater / Year...... Purdue / 1960 Head Coach Bob Spoo...... 12-14 Conference...... Ohio Valley Record at EIU / Years...... 127-102-1 / 21st Season Bellantoni, Wittke...... 15 Lustig, Hoover...... 16 Stadium...... O'Brien (10,000) Overall Record / Years...... same Lynch, Babich...... 17 Surface...... Pro-Grass Jackson, Livingston, Cleveland...... 18 Assistant Coaches...... Support Staff...... 19 Roc Bellantoni (Iona College, 1993) 2008 Rosters...... 20-22 PHONE NUMBERS Roy Wittke (Wisconsin Eau-Claire, 1982) 2008 Panther Profiles Arrington, Bazigos, Bennett...... 23 Athletic Dept...... (217) 581-2319 Jeff Hoover (UC Davis, 1991) Athletic Dept. Fax...... 581-7001 Bess, Brown, Cairo...... 24 Forrest Jackson (West Georgia, 2003) Football Office...... 581-5031 C. Campbell, S. Campbell, Cook, Dunn...... 25 Football Fax...... 581-7192 Justin Lustig (Bucknell, 2001) Evers, Frericks, Gadson, Galan...... 26 Graves, Grossman, Haynes...... 27 Sports Info...... 581-6408 Mike Lynch (Montana, 2000) Haywood, Henderson, Hockaday, Hodor...... 28 Bobby Babich (North Dakota State, 2006) Sports Info Fax...... 581-6434 James, Jean-Charles, Johnson...... 29 O'Brien Press box...... 581-7770 Antoine Livingston (Eastern Illinois, 2002) Jones, Jordan, Kesler...... 30 Chad Cleveland (Eastern Illinois, 2007) Keys, Knolhoff, Kosinski...... 31 Larson, Leman, Lewis, Lima...... 32 MAILING ADDRESS Lettermen Returning / Lost...... 39/15 Loftman, Luczynski, Mahoney...... 33 Marcelin, Martinez, McGrath, Mercier...... 34 Department of Athletics Starters Returning / Lost...... 15/11 2024 Lantz Arena Millard, Nasti, Nozinor...... 35 Offensive System...... Multiple Pro Set Eastern Illinois University Penrow, Ponius, Reeder...... 36 Charleston, IL 61920 Defensive System...... 4-3 Rettke, Rigsby, Sams...... 37 Scheibel, Shortridge, Smith...... 38 Sobol, Steckel, Vaccaro...... 39 Panther Football Office Vehovic, Walker, Walters...... 40 1000 O'Brien Stadium ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF Wilke, Woolverton, Yates...... 41 Eastern Illinois University University President...... Dr. William L. Perry Newcomers...... 42-43 Charleston, IL 61920 Vice President For Student Affairs...... Dr. Dan Nadler 2007 Statistics & Starting Line-Ups...... 44-46 Director of Athletics...... Barbara Burke 2007 Game-By-Game Summaries...... 47-50 2008 Opponents & Contacts...... 51-58 Faculty Athletic Representative...... Dr. Gail Richard All-Time Series Records...... 58 PANTHERS ONLINE Assoc. AD for Development...... John Smith Sports Information Website Ohio Valley Conference...... 59-60 EIU Football History...... 61-62 ...... www.EIUpanthers.com Assoc. AD for Operations...... Mark Bonnstetter Asst. AD/Senior Woman Administrator...Mary Wallace Honors & Awards Panther Football E-mail Division I All-Americans...... 63 Asst. AD for Compliance...... Jason Hall ...... [email protected] Tony Romo - 2002 Walter Payton Award...... 64 Asst. AD for Special Projects...... David Kidwell Ohio Valley Conference Selections...... 65 Business Manager...... Kim Bagwell Other Honors & Awards...... 66 The 2008 Panther Football media Record Book guide is prepared by the Sports Ticket Manager...... Cindy Bayes Team Records...... 67 Information and Marketing office Director of Academic Services...... Cindy Tozer Game Records...... 68 of Eastern Illinois University. Sports Information Director...... Rich Moser Supervised and written by Rich Single Season Records...... 69 Moser, Sports Information Director. Staff Photographer...... Sandy King Career Records...... 70 Director of Marketing...... TBA Annual Leaders & Top Performances...... 71-79 DESIGN: Layout and design by Rich Panther Club Director...... TBA EIU & The ...... 80-81 Moser and Bart Rettberg, Assistant All-Time Results Sports Information Director. Pre-NCAA FCS (1899-1980)...... 82-83 978 NCAA Division II National Champions..... 84 PHOTOGRAPHY: Bev Cruse, Dan GAME DAY SUPPORT STAFF NCAA FCS (1981-Present)...... 85-88 Carpenter, Stephen Haas, Jerry Football Trainer...... Jen Tymkew NCAA FCS Playoff Records...... 88 Kimball, Sandy King, Bart Rettberg, Strength and Conditioning...... Michael Hall EIU NCAA Division Playoff History...... 89 Ken Rufner, and Ben Turner. NFL Equipment/Facility Coordinator...... Clint Bays Panthers in Final NCAA FCS Polls...... 90 photos courtesy of those NFL teams EIU Coaching History...... 91 represented. Equipment ...... John Calhoun EIU Football...In The Heart Of It All...... 92 Football Secretary...... Richelle Heise This is EIU Athletics...... 93-112 PRINTING: Multi-Ad Services, Inc. NCAA Computer Statistician...... Bart Rettberg of Peoria, Illinois. Cheer Team Advisor...... Antoine Thomas ON THE COVER: (Front) - EIU Marching Blue Band Director...... TBA looks to make a fourth straight Pink Panther Advisor...... Lisa Dallas www.EIUpanthers.com NCAA FCS Playoff appearance. This season the Panthers return a veteran defense led by All-American EIU ATHLETIC MISSION STATEMENT: The Department of Athletics is committed to providing a competitive, culturally diverse, defensive end Pierre Walters (91), gender-equitable sports program that operates within the rules and regulations of Eastern Illinois University, the Ohio Valley All-OVC safety Ke'Andre Sams (3) Conference, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. The department strives to recruit academically sound student- and senior defensive tackle Jeff athletes who have the desire and motivation to graduate and to become responsible citizens. Department of Athletics personnel Sobol (97). and student-athletes shall act with honesty and sportsmanship at all times representing the honor and dignity of fair play and the universally recognized high standards associated with wholesome competitive sports. The intercollegiate athletics program is dedicated to a belief that athletic participation promotes the development of sportsmanship, good character, and a strong work ethic. The overall physical and mental well being of student-athletes is a top priority of the department of athletics. University spirit and community pride will be developed through a successful athletics program.

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE  MEDIA INFORMATION SPORTS INFORMATION CREDENTIALS PANTHERS ON RADIO/TV Credentials to cover EIU football games at O'Brien WEIU-FM/TV is the radio/television outlet for Panther Stadium are obtained by contacting the Sports Football. All games will be broadcast LIVE on Hit Mix Info Office, 2250 Lantz, Eastern Illinois University, 88.9 FM and home contests will be telecast LIVE on Charleston, IL 61920. Fax at (217) 581-6434. All Channel 51 and throughout east central Illinois on requests must be received on official letterhead or various cable channels. Announcers Mike Bradd, via email at least two days before the game. Passes and Jack Ashmore will simulcast the games on not mailed will be available for pick-up at the Will Call both stations. window at O'Brien Stadium on the day of the game. PANTHERS ONLINE RICH MOSER SANDY KING Sports Information Director Graphic Design PRESS BOX SERVICES www.EIUpanthers.com (FB Contact) & Photographer Complete statistics packages are available at [email protected] [email protected] each home game. A light meal will be provided. (217) 581-7480 - office (217) 581-7761 - office Telephones are available for filing stories and the (217) 508-8319 - cell sports information staff will fax other materials. TICKET INFORMATION Wireless internet access is also available. Post- The ticket office is located on the main level of Lantz game interviews begin approximately ten minutes Arena in the Blue Zone. Phone: (217) 581-2106. following the completion of game in Room 1005 in O'Brien Stadium ticket window opens two hours O'Brien Stadium. before kickoff.

BART RETTBERG BEN TURNER Assistant Sports Assistant Sports Information Director Information Director [email protected] [email protected] (217) 581-6408 (217) 581-7020

OVC WEEKLY COACHES TELECONFERENCE

Each Tuesday morning during the football season the Ohio Valley Conference conducts a weekly media teleconference with all head football coaches... Interested media members can contact the EIU or OVC sports information offices for phone O'BRIEN STADIUM LAYOUT to LINCOLN AVENUE number and pass code. WILL CALL INTERVIEWS (and Illinois Route 16) WINDOW ground level 10:00 - , Austin Peay PRESS BOX upper level 10:07 - Bob Spoo, Eastern Illinois 10:14 - Jack Crowe, Jacksonville State O'BRIEN STADIUM 10:21 - Matt Griffin, Murray State EIU LOCKER 10:28 - Tony Samuel, Southeast Missouri 10:35 - James Webster, Tennessee State 10:42 - Watson Brown, Tennessee Tech PANTHERS 10:49 - Jason Simpson, UT Martin 10:56 - Dean Hood, Eastern Kentucky PLAYING FIELD EASTERN LOCAL MEDIA MAILING LIST LOT PARKING

Brian Nielsen, Sports Editor Mike Bradd AVENUE GRANT Charleston Times-Courier (radio play-by-play) and Mattoon Journal-Gazette 420 Crescent Drive 100 Broadway Mattoon, IL 61938 VISITOR SEATING Mattoon, IL 61938 Sports Director MEDIA Sports Editor WEIU-TV - Buzzard Bldg. PARKING VISITING LOCKER Eastern Daily News Eastern Illinois University in Lantz Fieldhouse/Arena  Eastern Illinois University Charleston, IL 61920 NORTH Charleston, IL 61920 To access media parking, enter on Fourth Street, taking a right into lot at Williams Softball Field. Media parking is located in lot next to tennis courts, field entrance is located next to lot.

 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT PANTHERS GAME DAY EXPERIENCE

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE  EIU STAR QUARTERBACKS

Eastern Illinois football has a long tradition of producing top level quarterbacks who have gone on to play at the next level. The first was Bill Glenn who played for the in the late 1940's, followed by Ed Soergel who would star in the Canadian Football League to modern day NFL quarterback Tony Romo. (Shown clockwise): Roger Haberer, Jeff Christensen, Bill Glenn, Steve Turk, and Tony Romo.

 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT EIU 1,000 YARD RUSHERS

Eastern Illinois University prides itself on its ability to run the football. Since 1972 eight different running backs have combined to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season on 18 occasions. Shown here are those Eastern Illinois backs that have rushed for a 1,000 or more yards in a season. (From top clockwise) No. 29 Vincent Webb, No. 44 Nate Anderson, No. 37 Ademola Adeniji, No. 22 J.R. Taylor, No. 8 Kevin Staple, No. 26 Jamie Jones, No. 30 Poke Cobb and No. 32 Willie High.

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE  EIU STAND-OUT LINEBACKERS

Eastern Illinois has had a proud tradition of top defensive players who have excelled at the collegiate level with several players earning multiple All-American honors... In recent years EIU linebackers have appeared on the ballot as finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award presented to the nation's top NCAA FCA defensive player... The latest to be included on this list was two-time All-American Donald Thomas in 2007... Pictured clockwise are some of the Panthers standout linebackers as an NCAA Division I school... Tyrone Covington, Clint Sellers (2005 OVC Defender of the Year), Donald Thomas (2006 OVC Defender of the Year), Tim Carver (1995 Gateway Defender of the Year), Thomas Williams and Nick Ricks (2002 OVC Defender of the Year).

 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT EIU DEFENSIVE ALL-AMERICANS

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE  EIU OFFENSIVE ALL-STARS

While star quarterbacks and running backs have earned most of the recognition at Eastern Illinois other offensive players have stood out... (Clockwise) Jeff Gossett went on to an All-Pro career as an NFL ... Bob Norris was a first team All-American lineman... Roy Banks was a first team All-American wide receiver... Micah Rucker was signed by the in 2007... Ted Petersen was an offensive lineman for the Steelers on the teams of the 1970's and James Warring was a first team All-American on the Panthers 1978 NCAA National Championship team.

 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT EIU NCAA FBS GAMES

Since joining the NCAA Division I ranks in 1981, Eastern Illinois has played 25 games against teams in what is currently referred to as the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision... EIU's first contest was in 1985 against Kansas while the Panthers picked up the first of four wins against FBS teams in 1989 against Akron... EIU has traveled as far west as Hawai'i and as far east as the United States Navy Academy with all stops in between. This season EIU will play a team from the for the third straight year along with Mid-American conference member Central Michigan...

EIU wins vs. FBS Schools Sept. 25, 2004..... at Eastern Michigan...... W 31-28 Sept. 19, 1998..... at Northern Illinois...... W 28-20 Aug. 29, 1996..... at Western Michigan...... W 28-20 Oct. 14, 1989...... at Akron...... W 27-17

TOP CROWDS TO WATCH EIU 1...... Sept. 10, 2005...... at Brigham Young...... 52,630 2...... Sept. 8, 2007...... at Purdue...... 52,504 3...... Sept. 13, 2003...... at Missouri...... 49,440 4...... Sept. 14, 2002...... at Kansas State...... 45,642 5...... Sept. 2, 2006...... at Illinois...... 45,555 6...... Aug. 31, 2002...... at Hawai'i...... 39,958 7...... Oct. 5, 1985...... at Kansas...... 37,500

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE  O'BRIEN STADIUM O’Brien Stadium, home for Since the stadium first opened in Panther football, is a 10,000 seat 1970, six NCAA football post-season stadium with Pro-Grass artificial turf tournament playoff games have been that was installed in 2004. held here. The Illinois High School The stadium was named after the Association annually hosts its boys and late Maynard 'Pat' O’Brien, former girls state track and field meets here, football, track and cross country coach which features nearly 5,000 competitors and one of ten charter members of and over 15,000 spectators. A regional EIU's 'Hall of Fame'. Special Olympics is also held in the Originally constructed in 1970, a stadium each spring. $2 million 'Reach for the 21st Century' The stadium served as the summer renovation was completed in 1999 home for the former St. Louis Cardinals with new offices added for coaches, football team in 1976 & 1977 and again meeting and video rooms, locker room, from 1982-87. The ‘Brighten O’Brien’ expanded weight room and athletic capital project added lights and another training facilities. level onto the press box in 1986.

38-YEAR HOME RECORDS 1970...... 1-4 1990...... 3-2 1971...... 4-1 1991...... 4-1 1972...... 0-5 1992...... 4-1 1973...... 2-4 1993...... 1-2-1 1974...... 3-2 1994...... 4-2 1975...... 2-1-2 1995...... 6-0 1976...... 3-3 1996...... 3-2 1977...... 1-3 1997...... 4-1 1978...... 7-0 1998...... 3-3 1979...... 4-3 1999...... 1-4

1980...... 7-0 2000...... 5-0 1981...... 5-1 2001...... 5-1 1982...... 7-0 2002...... 5-0 1983...... 5-1 2003...... 3-3 1984...... 4-2 2004...... 3-2 1985...... 5-1 2005...... 4-2 1986...... 7-1 2006...... 5-1 PANTHER HOMECOMING HISTORY ... 46-37-8 OVERALL 1987...... 3-2 2007...... 3-2 1915...... W...... 52-6...... Shurtleff 1947...... W...... 13-6...... Illinois State 1979...... W...... 39-21....Northern Michigan 1916...... W...... 19-7...... Southern Illinois 1948...... W...... 15-6...... Northern Illinois 1988...... 4-2 TOTAL 46-65-3 1917...... W...... 13-7...... Illinois State 1949...... L...... 0-14...... Western Illinois 1980...... W...... 31-14...... Illinois State 1989...... 6-0 68.2% 1918...... No game 1981...... W...... 20-8...... Western Illinois 1919...... L...... 0-32...... Millikin 1950...... W...... 21-7...... Southern Illinois 1982...... W...... 18-0...... Akron 1951...... W...... 27-21.. Northwest Missouri 1983...... W...... 21-20.... Youngstown State 1920...... L...... 7-20...... Illinois State 1952...... L...... 7-22...... Southern Illinois 1984...... L...... 40-48...... Southern Illinois 1921...... W...... 28-0...... Rose Poly 1953...... L...... 2-7..... Northeast Missouri 1985...... W...... 21-14...... Illinois State 1922...... T...... 0-0...... Illinois State 1954...... L...... 6-20...... Southern Illinois 1986...... W...... 31-30...... Northern Iowa TOP TEN HOME ATTENDANCE 1923...... W...... 23-0...... Southern Illinois 1955...... W...... 33-13...... Indiana State 1987...... W...... 20-14...... Indiana State 12,600 ...... Parents Weekend ...... 11/9/80 1924...... W...... 3-0...... Illinois State 1956...... L...... 21-29...... Evansville 1988...... L...... 15-17...... Northern Iowa EIU 14...... Northern Iowa 9 1925...... L...... 0-13...... Evansville 1957...... L...... 13-21...... Western Illinois 1989...... W...... 21-17...... Akron 1926...... L...... 0-19...... St. Louis (JV) 1958...... L...... 8-29...... Southern Illinois 12,547 ...... Parents Weekend ...... 11/5/83 1927...... W...... 14-2...... Southern Illinois 1959...... L...... 6-38...... Northern Illinois 1990...... W...... 31-22...... Indiana State EIU 12...... Southwest Missouri 3 1928...... W...... 19-0...... Illinois State 1991...... W...... 37-28...... Illinois State 12,425 ...... Parents Weekend ...... 11/13/82 1929...... W...... 7-6...... Indiana State 1960...... L...... 8-52...... Southern Illinois 1992...... W...... 31-28...... Indiana State EIU 73...... Kentucky State 0 1961...... T...... 20-20...... Northern Illinois 1993...... T...... 17-17...... Illinois State 1930...... W...... 23-0...... Western Illinois 1962...... L...... 7-28...... Hope College 1994...... L...... 7-19...... Northern Iowa 12,000 ...... Parents Weekend ...... 11/3/79 1931...... L...... 0-6...... Southern Illinois 1963...... L...... 0-43...... Northern Illinois 1995...... W...... 31-10...... Illinois State EIU 21...... Youngstown State 49 1932...... L...... 0-40...... Millikin 1964...... L...... 23-25...... Indiana State 1996...... L...... 28-35...... Murray State 11,856 ...... Parents Weekend ...... 11/1/86 1933...... L...... 6-23...... Illinois State 1965...... L...... 8-28...... Western Illinois 1997...... W...... 42-14...... Austin Peay EIU 64...... Winona State 0 1934...... W...... 19-0...... Indiana State 1966...... T...... 0-0...... Illinois State 1998...... L...... 22-36...... Illinois State 1935...... L...... 0-13...... Illinois State 1967...... W...... 12-7...... Western Illinois 1999...... L...... 7-14...... Tennessee Tech 11,628 ...... Family Weekend ...... 10/27/01 1936...... W...... 13-0...... Indiana State 1968...... L...... 28-37...... Bradley EIU 52...... Tennessee State 49 1937...... T...... 0-0...... Illinois State 1969...... L...... 6-44...... Western Illinois 2000...... W...... 33-19...... Tennessee State 11,485 ...... Parents Weekend ...... 11/7/87 1938...... L...... 0-18...... Western Illinois 2001...... W...... 12-0... Southeast Missouri EIU 27...... SIU-Carbondale 32 1939...... T...... 0-0...... Illinois State 1970...... L...... 20-29...... Illinois State 2002...... W...... 25-24.....Eastern Kentucky 1971...... W...... 32-21...... SW Missouri 2003...... W...... 29-12.....Tennessee Martin 11,321 ...... Family Weekend ...... 10/31/98 1940...... W...... 25-6...... Southern Illinois 1972...... L...... 11-39...... Illinois State 2004...... W...... 24-9...... Murray State EIU 21...... Tennessee State 27 1941...... L...... 0-19...... Illinois State 1973...... W...... 34-14...... St. Joseph’s 2005...... W...... 53-22.....Eastern Kentucky 11,052 ...... Homecoming ...... 10/11/86 1942...... L...... 0-45...... Western Illinois 1974...... W...... 14-9...... Illinois State 2006...... W...... 20-10...... Murray State EIU 31...... Northern Iowa 30 1943...... No game 1975...... T...... 3-3...... Western Illinois 2007...... W...... 29-23.....Tennessee Martin 1944...... L...... 7-40...... Illinois Wesleyan 1976...... L...... 10-30....Northern Michigan 10,864 ...... Parents Weekend ...... 11/10/84 1945...... T...... 0-0...... Southern Illinois 1977...... L...... 14-24...... Wayne State EIU 50...... Western Kentucky 19 1946...... L...... 13-26...... Illinois State 1978...... W...... 42-7...... Illinois State

10 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT EIU RENOVATED LOCKER ROOM

In the spring of 2008 Eastern Illinois football renovated its team locker room creating an updated feel and additional space for players to meet. The update included the installation of new wooden lockers complete with a system for storing shoulder pads, helmets and additional equipment. The locker room also received new rest room and shower areas along with an updated sound system.

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 11 HEAD COACH BOB SPOO Bob Spoo, the dean of coaches in the Ohio Valley Conference returns for his 21st THE COACH SPOO FILE season on the Panthers sidelines. EDUCATION After missing the 2006 season for medical reasons, Spoo returned to the team in a full- Purdue University time capacity following the Panthers 2006 first round playoff loss. In 2007 that recognized ...... M.S. in Educational Administration, 1989 drive and “voice” returned in full force as Spoo guided EIU to its third straight FCS playoff Purdue University appearance and 12th overall...... B.S. in Physical Education, 1955-60 EIU would finish the 2007 season with an 8-4 record, 7-1 in the OVC. The Panthers Graduate of Chicago Saint Rita High School were ranked No. 15 in the final FCS Coaches poll making their sixth playoff appearance in the last eight seasons. PLAYING CAREER The winningest coach in Eastern Illinois history and the active leader in wins among Purdue University: OVC coaches, Spoo maintains a career mark of 127-102-1. He has led the Panthers to • Starting Quarterback (1957-58) ten winning seasons in the last 13 years and in 2007 won his 60th OVC game. • 3-year letterman (1956-58) Under his leadership the Panthers qualified for an unprecedented three straight trips • Co-Captain of Blue squad to the NCAA I-AA playoffs between 2000-02 and again from 2005-07. EIU has won (or shared) Ohio Valley Conference championship in four of the past seven seasons. In his in Blue-Gray All-Star Game (1958) 21 years at EIU the Panthers have made nine trips to the NCAA playoffs with ten finishes Chicago Hornets (Semi-Pro): in the Top 25 poll. EIU’s deepest run in the playoffs under Spoo came in 1989 when the • Quarterback (1961) Panthers knocked off Idaho in the first round before losing the quarterfinals at Montana. • MVP in Tri-State League During his tenure at EIU, the Panthers have produced numerous All-Conference picks including seven Offensive or Defensive OVC Players of the Year since the 2000 season. EIU COACHING CAREER has also had a number of All-American players both on the field and in the classroom. Spoo 1987-Present...... Eastern Illinois University also coached 2002 Walter Payton Award winner Tony Romo, now a Pro Bowl quarterback Head Coach with the . 1985-86...... Purdue University Over his 21 years on the EIU sidelines, Spoo has been named the OVC Coach of the Offensive Coordinator & QB Coach Year twice (2001 and 2005), Gateway Conference Coach of the Year once (1995) and the 1978-84...... Purdue University Region Coach of the Year two times (1995 and 2001). In 2000 he was the runner-up for ...... QB, WR & RB Coach the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. In 1995 he was named the Football Gazette 1973-77...... University of Wisconsin, QB Coach I-AA Coach of the Year. 1967-72...... Head Coach, Wilmette (IL) Loyola Demanding excellence on the field and in the classroom, Spoo believes that the Academy HS, ('69 city champs) foundation for constructing a championship program lies with a strong defense and sound 1963-66...... Assistant Coach, Wilmette (IL) kicking game, revolving around a ball-control passing attack. Loyola Academy Spoo and his staff have been commended publicly by the Faculty Senate for their 1961-62...... Assistant Coach, Oak Park (IL) emphasis on academics. Fenwick High School The Daily Eastern 1960 ...... Physical Instructor News, the campus daily Chicago Park District newspaper, named Spoo as their “Person of the AWARDS Year” in his second year 2005 ...... OVC “Coach of the Year” in Charleston. 2001 ...... OVC “Coach of the Year” A three year Purdue AFCA Region 3 "Coach of the Year" letterman, Spoo replaced 2000 ...... Runner-Up for Eddie Robinson NFL Hall-of-Famer Len Dawson as the starting I-AA National "Coach of the Year" quarterback in 1957 and 1995 .... Gateway Conference "Coach of the Year" guided the Boilermakers AFCA Region V I-AA "Coach of the Year" to a two-year record of Football Gazette National I-AA 11-5. He co-captained "Coach of the Year" the 1958 Blue team in 1985 ...... Assistant Coach the Blue-Gray All-Star Blue-Gray All-Star Game game. 1980 ...... Elected to Chicago Catholic League Spoo later returned "Hall of Fame" to his alma mater to coach quarterbacks in the 1980’s, building his resume by coaching 1977 ...... Elected to St. Rita HS "Hall of Fame" such nationally known passers as Mark Hermann, Scott Campbell and Jim Everett. All 1972 ...... Chicago "Coach of the Year" three would go on to play in the National Football League. During his time at Purdue (1978- Chicago Catholic League "Coach of the Year" 1986) the team made four bowl appearances. Spoo also spent several years at Wisconsin 1970 ...... National HS Coaches Association (1973-77) as the quarterbacks coach. Football "Coach of the Year" Prior to becoming a mainstay in the college coaching ranks, Spoo was one of the Chicago Catholic League "Coach of the Year" most successful prep coaches in Illinois. He was the head coach at Loyola Academy 1969 ...... Illinois "Coach of the Year" in Wilmette from 1967-72 directing the school to a 51-9-2 record and the 1969 Chicago Chicago Catholic League "Coach of the Year" city championship. He was the 1970 National High School Athletic Coaches Association Chicago Prep Sports Writers “Football Coach of the Year”, 1969 Illinois Coach of the Year and 1972 Chicago Coach of Association "Coach of the Year" the Year. Northwestern 'N' Men's Club Athletic Spoo and his wife Susan have one daughter Kate. Achievement Award Career Record: 127-102-1 (.552), 20 seasons OVC Record: 56-24 (.700), 11 seasons

12 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT HEAD COACH BOB SPOO EIU IN THE POLLS DURING SPOO'S TENURE 1989 2000 2006 2007 1. Georgia Southern 1. Georgia Southern 1. Appalachian State 1. Appalachian State 2. Furman 2. Montana 2. Massachusetts 2. Delaware 3. Stephen F. Austin 3. Delaware 3. Montana 3. Southern Illinois 4. Holy Cross 4. Appalachian State 4. Youngstown State 4. Northern Iowa 5. Idaho 5. Western Kentucky 5. North Dakota State 5. Richmond 6. Montana 6. Richmond 6. New Hampshire 6. Wofford 7. Appalachian State 7. Hofstra 7. Southern Illinois 7. Massachusetts 8. Maine 8. Lehigh 8. Illinois State 8. Eastern Washington 9. Southwest Missouri 9. Troy State 9. James Madison 9. North Dakota State 10. Middle Tennessee 10. Furman 10. Montana State 10. Montana William & Mary 11. Youngstown State 11. Hampton 11. McNeese State 12. Eastern Kentucky 12. Western Illinois 12. Furman 12. James Madison 13. Grambling 13. Grambling 13. Tennessee Martin 13. Eastern Kentucky 14. Youngstown State 14. Florida A&M 14. Coastal Carolina 14. New Hampshire 15. EASTERN ILLINOIS 15. Portland State 15. EASTERN ILLINOIS 15. Delaware State 16. Villanova 16. McNeese State 16. Cal Poly 16. Youngstown State 17. Jackson State 17. EASTERN ILLINOIS 17. Northern Iowa 17. Georgia Southern 18. Connecticut 18. Weber State 18. Princeton 18. EASTERN ILLINOIS 19. Nevada-Reno 19. Northern Iowa 19. Portland State 19. South Dakota State 20. Northern Iowa 20. Bethune-Cookman 20. San Diego 20. Fordham

1995 2001 1. Montana 1. Montana 2. Marshall 2. Furman 3. McNeese State 3. Georgia Southern 4. Stephen F. Austin 4. Northern Iowa 5. Appalachian State 5. Lehigh 6. Delaware 6. Appalachian State 7. Troy State 7. Hofstra 8. Southern 8. Sam Houston State 9. Murray State 9. EASTERN ILLINOIS 10. Hofstra 10. Western Kentucky 11. Georgia Southern 11. Grambling 12. Eastern Kentucky 12. Maine 13. Northern Iowa 13. McNeese State 14. EASTERN ILLINOIS 14. Northwestern State 15. James Madison 15. Northern Arizona 16. Jackson State 16. Youngstown State 17. Florida A&M 17. William & Mary 18. Idaho 18. Eastern Kentucky 19. William & Mary 19. Villanova 20. Richmond 20. Rhode Island

1996 2002 1. Marshall 1. Western Kentucky 2. Montana 2. McNeese State 3. Northern Iowa 3. Georgia Southern 4. Troy State 4. Villanova Bob Spoo Year-By-Year Eastern Illinois Record 5. William & Mary 5. Western Illinois 6. Murray State 6. Maine 7. E. Tennessee State 7. Montana Year...... Overall..... Conf (Finish)...... Post-Season 8. Northern Arizona 8. Grambling State 1987...... 5-6...... 3-3 (T3rd GFC) 9. Furman 9. Furman 10. Delaware 10. Appalachian State 1988...... 5-6...... 2-4 (T5th GFC) 11. Jackson State 11. Northeastern 1989...... 9-4...... 4-2 (2nd GFC)...... NCAA Quarterfinals 12. Villanova 12. Fordham 13. Western Illinois 13. EASTERN ILLINOIS 1990...... 5-6...... 3-3 (T3rd GFC) 14. Florida A&M 14. Wofford 15. Nicholls State 15. Bethune-Cookman 1991...... 4-7...... 2-4 (T5th GFC) 16. EASTERN ILLINOIS 16. Northwestern State 1992...... 5-6...... 2-4 (T3rd GFC) 17. New Hampshire 17. Pennsylvania 18. Youngstown State 18. Idaho State 1993...... 3-7-1...... 2-3-1 (T4th GFC) 19. Dartmouth 19. Montana State 1994...... 6-5...... 4-2 (T2nd GFC) 20. Howard 20. Murray State 1995...... 10-2...... 5-1 (T1st GFC)...... NCAA 1st Round

1997 2005 1996...... 8-4...... 6-2 (T2nd OVC)...... NCAA 1st Round 1. Youngstown State 1. Appalachian State 1997...... 8-3...... 5-2 (T2nd OVC) 2. McNeese State 2. Northern Iowa 3. Delaware 3. Furman 1998...... 6-5...... 4-3 (T4th OVC) 4. Eastern Washington 4. Texas State 1999...... 2-10...... 2-5 (T6th OVC) 5. Villanova 5. New Hampshire 6. Western Illinois 6. Cal Poly 2000...... 8-4...... 6-1 (2nd OVC)...... NCAA 1st Round 7. Western Kentucky 7. Southern Illinois 8. Georgia Southern 8. Richmond 2001...... 9-2...... 6-0 (1st OVC)...... NCAA 1st Round 9. Hampton 9. Georgia Southern 2002...... 8-4...... 5-1 (T1st OVC)...... NCAA 1st Round 10. Florida A&M 10. Hampton 11. Southern 11. Montana 2003...... 4-8...... 3-5 (T5th OVC) 12. Montana 12. Grambling 2004...... 5-6...... 4-4 (4th OVC) 13. Jackson State 13. Eastern Washington 14. Hofstra 14. Youngstown State 2005...... 9-3...... 8-0 (1st OVC)...... NCAA 1st Round 15. Eastern Kentucky 15. EASTERN ILLINOIS 16. Cal Poly 16. Nicholls State 2006...... Did not coach this season due to illness 17. Northwestern State 17. Montana State 2007...... 8-4...... 7-1 (2nd OVC)...... NCAA 1st Round 18. Stephen F. Austin 18. Brown 19. South Carolina State 19. South Carolina State Overall (127-102-1)... OVC (56-24) 20. Liberty 20. Lafayette 21. EASTERN ILLINOIS

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 13 HEAD COACH BOB SPOO BOB SPOO COACHING LEGACY SPOO VERSUS ALL OPPONENTS [1987-2007] LAST OPPONENTS W L T MEETING SCORE Akron...... 1...... 1...... 1989...... W, 21-17 Austin Peay...... 6...... 0...... 1997...... W, 42-14 Boise State...... 0...... 1...... 1988...... L, 7-12 Brigham Young...... 0...... 1...... 2005...... L, 10-45 California (PA)...... 1...... 0...... 2003...... W, 27-0 Central Florida...... 0...... 2...... 1999...... L, 21-31 Central Michigan...... 0...... 1...... 1999...... L, 17-33 Central State (OH)...... 1...... 0...... 1995...... W, 33-27 Eastern Kentucky ...... 6 ...... 5 ...... 2007 ...... L 21-28 Eastern Michigan...... 1...... 0...... 2004...... W, 31-28 Eastern Washington...... 1...... 0...... 1991...... W, 31-12 One of the most respected coaches in the game of football, Florida Atlantic...... 2...... 0...... 2002...... W, 47-6 Eastern Illinois head coach Bob Spoo has a coaching tree Hawai’i ...... 0 ...... 2 ...... 2002 ...... L, 36-61 that spreads across all levels of football with some of the most Idaho...... 1...... 0...... 1989...... W, 38-21 recognizable teams in the sport. With that said, Spoo remains Illinois State ...... 8 ...... 9 ...... 1 ...... 2007 ...... L, 21-24 the humble coach who has guided the Panthers program for Indiana State ...... 13 ...... 5 ...... 2007 ...... W, 54-20 more than 20 years. Listed below are former EIU coaches who Iowa State...... 0...... 1...... 1991...... L, 13-42 have worked under Bob Spoo and their current profession as Jacksonville State ...... 2 ...... 2 ...... 2007 ...... W, 37-23 of June, 2008. Kansas State...... 0...... 1...... 2002...... L, 13-63 FORMER ASSISTANTS TO COACH SPOO Kentucky Wesleyan...... 1...... 0...... 2000...... W, 72-0 Liberty...... 2...... 1...... 1989...... L, 7-9 COACH YEARS AT EIU CURRENT POSITION Dino Babers...... 1987-88...... Asst. Coach - Baylor Lock Haven...... 2...... 0...... 1994...... W, 45-10 Clancy Barone...... 1994-96...... Off. Coordinator, Texas A&M Marshall...... 0...... 1...... 1992...... L, 28-63 John Bowers...... 1995-96...... Private Business McNeese State...... 0...... 2...... 1993...... L, 7-49 Steve Brickey...... 2005...... Off. Coordinator, Samford Middle Tennessee...... 2...... 1...... 1998...... W, 35-32 Jon Carr...... 2003-04...... NFL Scout - Missouri...... 0...... 1...... 2003...... L, 0-37 Kit Cartwright...... 1987-88...... Off. Coordinator - Winnipeg (CFL) Montana...... 0...... 2...... 2000...... L, 13-45 Jeff Choate...... 2005...... Special Teams - Boise State Murray State ...... 8 ...... 8 ...... 2007 ...... W, 27-24 Kim Dameron...... 2000...... Asst. Coach - Mississippi Navy...... 0...... 1...... 1993...... W, 10-31 Mike DeBord...... 1987-88...... Asst. Coach - Northeast Missouri...... 1...... 0...... 1987...... W, 16-10 Steve Farmer...... 2001-02...... Asst. Coach – Louisiana-Monroe Northern Illinois...... 1...... 2...... 1998...... W, 24-10 Brian Flinn...... 2002-04...... Asst. Coach - Villanova Northern Iowa...... 1...... 10...... 2001...... L, 43-49 Mike Garrison...... 1989-95...... Asst. Coach – Scottsdale, AZ JC Darrell Hazell...... 1988...... Asst. Head Coach – Ohio State NW Louisiana...... 2...... 1...... 1993...... L, 26-34 Sheldon Herd...... 1987-88...... Private Business Pittsburg State (KS)...... 1...... 0...... 1996...... W, 41-31 Eric Holm...... 1989...... Athletic Director, Kansas City Area HS Purdue...... 0...... 1...... 2007...... L 6-52 Mark Hutson...... 2003-06...... Asst. Coach - Tulane Samford ...... 3 ...... 1 ...... 2007 ...... W, 33-17 Derrick Jackson...... 2003-04...... Def. Coordinator – Syracuse San Diego State...... 0...... 1...... 2001...... L, 7-40 Shannon Jackson...... 2005-07...... Def. Coordinator - Indiana State San Jose State...... 0...... 1...... 1987...... L, 3-24 Brian Jenkins...... 1996-99...... Asst. Coach – Louisiana-Lafayette Southeast Missouri ...... 10 ...... 2 ...... 2007 ...... W, 31-16 Noah Joseph...... 2003-06...... Asst. Coach - Montana State Southern Illinois...... 6...... 7...... 2007...... L, 11-30 Edmund Jones...... 2001-02...... Asst. Coach, Indiana State Southwest Missouri...... 6...... 3...... 1995...... W, 9-7 Bob Krieger...... 1994-99...... Asst. Coach, Georgia HS St. Joseph’s (IN)...... 2...... 0...... 1998...... W, 24-7 Ron Lambert...... 1998-2000...... Def. Coordinator – Tennessee State Stephen F. Austin...... 0...... 1...... 1995...... L, 29-34 Micah Lazenby...... 2000...... Deceased Bill Legg...... 1989-93...... Off. Coordinator - Florida International Tennessee Martin ...... 11 ...... 1 ...... 2007 ...... W, 29-23 Mike Mallory...... 1991-92...... Asst. Coach - Tennessee State ...... 6 ...... 3 ...... 2007 ...... W, 38-35 Randy Melvin...... 1988-94...... Asst. Coach – Tennessee Tech ...... 9 ...... 2 ...... 2007 ...... W, 45-24 Charley Molnar...... 2001...... Asst. Coach – Cincinnati Texas-El Paso...... 0...... 1...... 1994...... L, 20-22 Jorge Munoz...... 2005-07...... Asst. Coach - Louisiana-Lafayette Toledo...... 0...... 1...... 2000...... L, 26-31 Tim Nolen...... 1993...... Head Coach - Mt. Zion (IL) HS Western Illinois...... 3...... 9...... 2002...... L, 9-48 Ben Norton...... 1997-98...... Off. Coordinator - Texas State Western Kentucky...... 6...... 5...... 2000...... L, 12-34 Charlie Patridge...... 2002...... Asst. Coach - Wisconsin Western Michigan...... 1...... 0...... 1996...... W, 28-20 Charlie Roche...... 1999-2000...... Asst. Coach –College of the Siskiyous Youngstown State...... 0...... 2...... 1992...... L, 19-28 John Smith...... 1987-97...... Associate AD -Eastern Illinois Brock Spack...... 1987-90 ...... Def. Coordinator - Purdue Chris Wilkerson...... 1997-2001...... Def. Coordinator - Dartmouth TOTALS 127 02  55.2%

14 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT ASSISTANT COACHES ROC ROY BELLANTONI WITTKE

ASSISTANT HEAD COACH OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR QUARTERBACKS COACH DEFENSIVE LINE COACH EIGHTH SEASON FOURTEENTH SEASON

Winning the turnover battle is something that Eastern Illinois Former Eastern Illinois offensive coordinator Roy Wittke defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni has preached since he joined rejoined the Panthers football program on May 1 in a position he the Panthers staff. Completing his seventh season at EIU that previously served in from 1990-2002. mantra was proven correct during the 2006 season as the Panthers Wittke comes back to EIU following his most recent stint at led the nation in turnovers gained with 31. Northern Illinois during the 2007 season where he served as the Bellantoni joined the Panthers defensive staff in 2001 and was offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. promoted to his current role of coordinator following the 2002 spring Wittke is best known for helping to develop current Dallas practice season. In spring of 2007 he was elevated to assistant Cowboys signal caller Tony Romo as the Panthers offensive head coach. coordinator from 1990-2002. During that time frame EIU posted This year Bellantoni will also coach the defensive line after 82 wins, made five FCS playoff appearances and was capped off coaching linebackers the last couple of seasons. During that span by Romo earning the 2002 Walter Payton Award. He was named he had back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference Defenders of the Year the AFCA Division I-AA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002 as the with Clint Sellers in 2005 and Donald Thomas in 2006. In 2007 Panthers offensive unit ranked fourth in the nation in scoring (35.3 Thomas finished as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award handed ppg) and fifth in total offense (452.6 yards/game). out to the nation’s top FCS defensive player. During his first stop at EIU, Wittke coached 14 players In 2005 Bellantoni’s defense ranked 19th in the country in who earned offensive All-American honors and numerous All- scoring defense allowing just 19.2 points per game. The Panthers Conference selections in both the Ohio Valley Conference and ranked first in the OVC in rushing defense and second nationally Gateway Football Conference. Three of his offensive units in turnover margin with +1.5 per game. The Panthers scored an rank among the top five at EIU for total offense and scoring in a unprecedented eight defensive touchdowns. season. Prior to coming to EIU, Bellantoni was the defensive coordinator Following the 2002 season, Wittke worked as the offensive at Drake University which shared the Pioneer League title in 2000 coordinator at the University of Arkansas from 2003-05 and one with a 7-4 record. Drake’s defense forced 26 turnovers and had season at both Arizona State University (2006) and Northern Illinois 36 quarterback sacks that season. He also coached defensive University (2007). Wittke coached in both the 2003 Independence line at Drake in 1998 and 1999 with the Bulldogs winning the 1998 Bowl with Arkansas and the 2006 Hawai’i Bowl with Arizona conference title. State. Bellantoni started his coaching career at Mamoroneck High He has also had stints at his alma mater Wisconsin Eau- School High School in New York in 1993 and made his first collegiate Claire (1979-81), Montana State University (1982-84) and Central coaching stop at Buena Vista University in Iowa in 1995. Missouri State (1985-89). A 1993 graduate of Iona College, Bellantoni earned three Wittke is a native of Racine, Wis., and a 1982 graduate of varsity letters playing defense tackle for the Gaels. He stated Wisconsin Eau-Claire. He and his wife Patty have three children: his playing career at sons Brad and Jeff and daughter Bekah. Massachusetts as a member of the 1998 Yankee Conference championship team. Bellantoni currently serves as the Panthers recruiting contact for south Florida. He also serves as the liaison with campus food services and housing and is the summer camp director. Bellantoni and his wife Jenny have four sons, Gino, Marco and twins Nicolas and Ricky.

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 15 ASSISTANT COACHES

JUSTIN JEFF LUSTIG HOOVER

SPECIAL TEAMS COACH & OFFENSIVE LINE COACH & RUNNING BACKS RUN GAME COORDINATOR

THIRD SEASON SECOND SEASON

Justin Lustig, joined the Panthers in the spring of 2006 as the Jeff Hoover enters his second season as the Panthers offensive line special teams coach. He also serves as the EIU running backs coach coach and run game coordinator. Hoover also serves as the Panthers with the Panthers producing 1,000 yard rushers in each of the last two academic liaison. seasons. Last season the Panthers offensive line produced three honorable His special teams unit ranked among the nation’s best in 2007 mention All-Americans as they ranked sixth in the nation in least number with freshman punter Kevin Cook ranking 4th in the nation in punting of sacks allowed. EIU’s offense ranked in the Top 50 in rushing and while setting the EIU school record. Cook earned honorable mention total offense as the Panthers produced a 1,000 yard rusher for the third All-America honors. During the season the Panthers special teams straight season with four out of five lineman earning All-Conference unit returned one kick off for a touchdown, blocked one punt for a honors. touchdown and blocked one field goal. EIU ranked 4th nationally in Hoover joined head coach Bob Spoo’s staff in March 2007 after a net punting and 18th in kickoff returns. recent stint at Portland State University where he served as offensive During the 2006 season EIU ranked 18th nationally in least coordinator/tight ends coach. While with the Vikings Hoover helped amount of kick return yardage allowed while ranking third in the OVC coach the team to a 7-4 record including a win over NCAA Division I member New Mexico. His offensive unit produced several All-Big Sky in least amount of punt return yardage allowed. selections including first team offensive linemen Brennan Carvalho, now Prior to joining the EIU staff, Lustig coached defensive backs with Green Bay and Darren Heerspink with the . and special teams for two years (2004-05) at Christopher Newport Prior to joining the PSU staff for his second tour of duty last University, a NCAA Division III program in Newport News, Va. His season, Hoover served as the offensive coordinator and line coach at 2005 team blocked 11 kicks and scored six touchdowns as the Henderson State in Arkansas in 2005. He also spent five seasons at Captains ranked either first or second in every special teams category Utah State coaching the Aggies offensive line. During his time at Utah in the USA South Atlantic Conference. State (2000-04), Hoover coached four offensive lineman that went on to His 2004 team posted a 9-3 record to win a co-league sign NFL contracts including Outland Trophy candidate Trevor Hutton championship and advance to the NCAA playoffs. In total he coached and offensive tackle Donald Penn who started 15 games for the Tampa eight All-Conference players including the 2005 USA South Conference Bay Buccaneers in 2007. Defensive Player of the Year. Hoover joined the Portland State staff for the first time in 1995 In 2003 he coached cornerbacks at Villanova University which and coached the Vikings offensive line for five seasons (1995-99) as was ranked as high as No. 4 in that year’s NCAA I-AA football poll. the team transitioned from being a NCAA Division II powerhouse to a Lustig began his coaching career at Christopher Newport in 2001 member of the Big Sky Conference. He coached a pair of All-Americans serving as the team’s and numerous All-Conference picks while at PSU. In 1995, he was part recruiting coordinator of the Vikings offensive staff that lead the nation in offense at 470 yards and secondary coach per game. for two seasons. Both A three-year starter at UC Davis, Hoover played on three of the years CNU qualified for Aggies NCAA Record 20 straight Northern California Athletic Conference the NCAA playoffs. championship teams. He earned his degree from UC Davis in 1991. A four year starter Hoover began his coaching career as the offensive line coach at at Bucknell University his alma mater in 1991. He coached the offensive defensive lines for (1997-2000), Lustig the Sacramento Attack was a team captain at of the Arena Football cornerback and safety. League in 1992 before He has also worked spending two seasons summer camps at Texas at Claremont-McKenna and Villanova. College. He currently recruits He currently the northwest suburbs of recruits the southwest Chicago and the state of suburbs of Chicago Wisconsin. along with the Iowa Lustig and his wife and California Junior Beth have two sons, Colleges. Sam and Henry. He also Hoover and his holds a masters degree wife Penny have two in education and human children - daughter development from George Lauren and son Cole. Washington University.

16 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT ASSISTANT COACHES FORREST BOBBY JACKSON BABICH

LINEBACKERS COACH SECONDARY COACH

FIFTH SEASON SECOND SEASON

Forrest Jackson enters his fifth year as a member of the Bobby Babich enters his second season as the Panthers Panthers coaching moving from defensive assistant to linebackers defensive secondary coach after joining the staff in mid-July of coach in December 2007. 2007. While assisting defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni with In first season in Charleston, Babich helped coach a young the linebackers, Jackson has helped two Ohio Valley Conference secondary that had lost four starters from an OVC Championship Defensive Players of the Year honors in Donald Thomas (2006) and team in 2006. The group responded with Rashad Haynes and Clint Sellers (2005). In 2007 Thomas was a finalist for the Buck Ke’Andre Sams both earning second team All-OVC honors. The Buchanan Award, handed out to the nation’s top FCS defensive secondary accounted for ten of the Panthers 12 interceptions and player. 32 pass break-ups. Jackson started his coaching career as a graduate assistant Babich came to EIU after spending 2006 as a graduate at West Georgia in 2003. He was a three year letter winner at assistant at Kent State University helping with the secondary for a West Georgia earning All-Gulf South Conference honors all three Golden Flash team that went 6-6 overall, 5-3 in the Mid-American seasons. He was also a second team All-South Region selection Conference. in 2001. Jackson started his collegiate career playing one season Prior to embarking on his coaching career Babich was a four- at Illinois State (1998). year letterwinner at North Dakota State playing corner back. He A Lakeland, Florida native, Jackson is a 2003 graduate of West was a two-time Academic All-Conference honoree as a junior Georgia. He has one son, Jaison. and senior. During his senior year he led the Bison with three interceptions while making 39 tackles as NDSU finished third in the Great West Conference. He graduated from NDSU in 2006. Originally from Tulsa, Okla., Babich grew up in a football family. His father Bob was the head coach at North Dakota State from 1997-2002 and is now the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears. Babich and his wife Lacey are expecting their first child this summer.

Nick Kray Jason Fisher Defensive Quality Control Offensive Quality Control

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 17 ASSISTANT COACHES

MIKE ANTOINE LYNCH LIVINGSTON

WIDE RECEIVERS COACH OFFENSIVE ASSISTANT

FOURTH SEASON THIRD SEASON

Mike Lynch has served as the Eastern Illinois wide receivers Antoine Livingston returned to Eastern Illinois to serve as an coach the last two years after working as an offensive assistant offensive assistant coach for the 2006 season. During that time coach in 2005. he served as tight ends coach with tight end Adam Parsill earning In 2007, EIU wide receivers hauled in 218 passes for 2,300 second team All-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 2006. yards including another big year by senior Micah Rucker who had In 2007 Livingston again coached tight ends and full backs with 9 touchdowns and 777 yards receiving. senior Jordan Campanella becoming a semifinalist for the Draddy During the 2006 season Lynch helped coach Micah Rucker Trophy. as the junior receiver earned second team All-American honors for Livingston was a four-year letterman at linebacker for the the Panthers with 13 touchdowns and 966 yards receiving. Panthers from 1998-2001 helping the Panthers make back-to- Prior to joining the EIU staff, Lynch made a name for himself back NCAA I-AA playoff appearances in 2000 and 2001. In 2001 as a member of the Utah State coaching staff from 2000-04. While he was the team’s fourth leading tackler with 56 stops. with the Aggies, Lynch helped coach three tight ends that would He worked the 2002 season as an assistant coach at Leo sign with NFL teams. Chris Cooley was a third round selection of High School in Chicago before coming back to EIU in 2003 as the Washington Redskins in the 2003 draft while J.R. Suguturaga an assistant coach. He returned to Leo High in 2004 serving two and Casey Poppinga both signed free agent contracts. years as the head coach. A Roseville, California native, Lynch played two seasons at A native of Chicago, Livingston played his prep football at Sierra Junior College in California before playing two seasons at Leo High earning all conference honors and Chicago Sun Times center at the University of Montana. His 1997 and 1998 Grizzly honors. teams won 16 games making two straight NCAA I-AA playoff appearances. He would serve as a restricted earnings coach in 1999 on the UM staff. CHAD Lynch earned his bachelors degree from Montana and a masters in secondary education from Utah State. CLEVELAND

DEFENSIVE ASSISTANT

FIRST SEASON

Former Eastern Illinois safety Chad Cleveland begins his first full season as a defensive assistant on the Panthers staff. Cleveland has volunteered as a student-coach the last two seasons. Cleveland played for the Panthers from 2002-05 helping EIU make FCS playoff appearances in 2002 and 2005. As a freshman in 2002 he tied for the team lead in interceptions while he was the team leader in solo tackles (44) in 2004. Cleveland is originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He graduated from EIU in 2007. Cleveland has one son, C.J.

18 2008 EIU FOOTBALL... BELIEVE IN BLUE ... 12-TIME NCAA FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP PLAYOFF PARTICIPANT FOOTBALL SUPPORT STAFF MICHAEL CLINT HALL BAYS

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING COORDINATOR OF EQUIPMENT & STADIUM FACILITIES THIRD SEASON FIRST SEASON

Michael Hall was promoted to the head strength and Clint Bays enters his first season as the coordinator of conditioning coach position in August 2006 after serving the previous equipment and stadium facilities for Eastern Illinois football. Bays year as the graduate assistant at EIU. Hall oversees the strength is a certified athletic equipment manager through the AEMA. He and conditioning programs for all of the Panthers 21 intercollegiate holds both a bachelor's and masters degree from Eastern Illinois sports. University. A 2004 graduate of Concordia University – Saint Paul, Hall was a He previously worked with the Illinois Department of Corrections student assistant strength on conditioning coach at the school in the and Transportation Security Administration. He was the assistant fall of 2003. He also worked as a strength and conditioning intern equipment manager at EIU in 2007. with the from Sept. 2003 through March 2005. Bays and his family reside in Charleston. Hall is currently a Certified Strength and Conditioning Coach as certified by the NSCA. He also is a USAW Club Coach level 1. JOHN A native of Glennallen, Alaska, Hall and his wife Emily, currently reside in Charleston. He is also working towards a masters degree at EIU. CALHOUN

JEN TYMKEW EQUIPMENT MANAGER

12th SEASON

The football equipment manager since 1996, John Calhoun issues and maintains all practice and game day equipment, FOOTBALL TRAINER oversees locker room cleanliness and laundry. Originally from THIRD SEASON Mattoon, Calhoun previously was Arcola chief of police for 15 years, chief deputy of Douglas County for three years, head of security at Emory-Riddle Aeronautical University for eight years in Palm Coast Jen Tymkew enters her third year as the athletic trainer for (Fla.) and spent three years working at Ampad. Eastern Illinois football. Tymkew took over football responsibilities at EIU following the appointment of Mark Bonnstetter to Associate Athletic Director at EIU. RICHELLE Before taking over football duties, Tymkew served as the athletic trainer for EIU women's basketball for two seasons. A native of Albion, Mich., Tymkew holds a bachelor's degree HEISE from Michigan State University and a master's degree from the University of Kentucky. She is a certified and licensed athletic trainer.

FOOTBALL SECRETARY

NINTH SEASON

The Panther football secretary since 2000, Richelle Heise keeps the office running smoothly with daily operations and recruitment support. A Charleston native, Heise previously worked in the EIU Housing and WEIU Radio departments. An avid Chicago Bears fan, Heise and her husband, Mark, are the parents of Austin, Kaitlyn and Butkus - the family dog.

WWW.EIUPANTHERS.COM 2008 EASTERN ILLINOIS FOOTBALL MEDIA GUIDE 19