Cole Hoover is in his first season with the Cardinal Football coaching staff. Hoover joins the Cardinals after two seasons at Eastern Illinois University. In 2024, he coached tight ends, leading the group to the most receptions, yards, and touchdowns since 2019. In 2025, he transitioned to the offensive line, helping EIU increase average rushing yards per game, yards per carry, touchdowns, and overall rushing production, while reducing sacks compared to the previous season. While at EIU, Hoover developed a First Team Freshman All-American, who earned Second Team All-Conference honors, and another Second Team All-Conference honoree. Before Eastern Illinois, he served as recruiting coordinator and tight ends coach at Western Illinois and worked as a graduate assistant at Ball State University and Eastern Illinois. Hoover was a three-year starter at EIU and served as team captain his senior season.

"Coach Hoover is a true players' coach who believes in building strong relationships and developing young men on and off the field. His experience at Eastern Illinois shows up in how he teaches physical, disciplined football, whether it's improving production up front or protecting the quarterback. He brings toughness, integrity, and a family-first mindset to everything he does, and that will be a huge asset to our offensive unit and our program as a whole," said Engle.