Kim Dameron didn’t have it easy coming to coach Eastern Illinois football. He had to replace Dino Babers, whose two-year run with the Panthers included a 19-7 record and two consecutive FCS playoff appearances. But Dameron, about to start his third season in charge at EIU, brought the Panthers back to the playoffs a year ago and has lofty expectations entering the 2016 season. Sports editor MATT DANIELS caught up with Dameron to talk about the upcoming season, Illinois hiring Lovie Smith and his best Lou Holtz story from his days playing for Holtz at Arkansas:
Your team finished 7-5 last season and lost in the first round of the FCS playoffs.