Local News

Coach Dino Babers Moving On From Eastern Illinois

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Dino Babers has stepped down as the head coach of the Eastern Illinois football program to accept the head coaching position at Bowling Green State University.

 

Babers completed two seasons as the Panthers head coach leading the team to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference Championships and FCS playoff berths.

The team was ranked No. 2 during the 2013 season posting a 12-2 record while advancing to the FCS Quarterfinals.  Babers was twice named the OVC Coach of the Year and the AFCA Region 3 Coach of the Year.  This season he was the runner-up for the Eddie Robinson FCS Coach of the Year.

 

Babers coached back-to-back OVC Players of the Year in wide receiver Erik Lora (2012) and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (2013).  Garoppolo was named the

2013 Walter Payton Award winner on Monday.  His two year record at EIU was 19-7, 14-1 in the OVC.

 

"We would like to thank Coach Babers for his service to Eastern Illinois University and the Panther football program," said EIU Athletic Director Barbara Burke.  "Coach Babers and his staff brought an exciting brand of football to Charleston winning consecutive Ohio Valley Conference Championships.  While we hate to lose him as our head coach, we do understand that this is part of the collegiate coaching business and coaches move on to other opportunities."

 

Burke stated that EIU would begin a search for a new head football coach in the coming days.

Townhall Top of the Hour News

Weather - Sponsored By:

TAYLORVILLE WEATHER

Local News

Facebook Feed - Sponsored By: