EIU Alumnus, Former Coach Mike Shanahan To Be Honored

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- With a good deal of attention centered on the potential October 11 match-up between Eastern Illinois products Tony Romo and Jimmy Garoppolo, the Panther Athletic department will pay tribute to one of its other National Football League icons during the football home opener. EIU Athletics will honor EIU alumnus and former NFL head coach Mike Shanahan during the Panthers Sept. 19 home opener against Illinois State.

EIU will unveil a banner honoring the accomplishments of Shanahan as both a collegiate and NFL coach with the banner hanging alongside the retired number banners of Sean Payton and Tony Romo; and the banner honoring former head coach Bob Spoo.

Shanahan played football at Eastern Illinois in the early 1970’s with an injury in spring practice ending his playing career. He began his coaching career shortly afterward with a stop at Eastern Illinois in 1978 as the Panthers offensive coordinator. During that season EIU won the NCAA Division II National Championship after going 1-10 the previous season. At the NFL level Shanahan was a successful assistant and head coach winning two Super Bowls with Denver Broncos and one as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers. Shanahan won 170 games which ranks 12th all-time among NFL head coaches with stints with the Los Angeles Raiders, Denver Broncos and Washington Redskins.

“This is a great honor for Eastern Illinois and Panther Athletics to be able to recognize Coach Shanahan for his tremendous accomplishments as both a coach at Eastern Illinois and in the National Football League,” said EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael. “Coach Shanahan has had success as a coach at all levels of the game. He has been a great ambassador for Eastern Illinois starting with his days as a student-athlete through his crowning achievements of winning a National Championship at his alma mater and two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos. EIU Athletics is excited that Coach Shanahan can be honored at this year’s home opener against Illinois State, a night in which EIU will also honor some of its great former student-athletes for the 2015 Hall of Fame.”

The weekend will serve as EIU’s Hall of Fame Weekend with former athletes Kandace Arnold (track), Jason Bialka (cross country), John Larson (baseball), Lorri Sommer (volleyball) and former EIU football coach Bob Spoo set to be inducted. Season tickets are now on sale by calling 217-581-2106 or online at www.eiupanthertickets.com. Single game tickets will go on sale on Monday, August 3. EIU and Illinois State will be meeting in the 104th Mid-America Classic.