Bob Spoo is back.

After missing the entire 2006 season because of a medical illness and watching the final three home games from the press box, Eastern head coach Bob Spoo has returned to full-time duties as of Friday.

“We knew that the big guy would come back; it was a matter of time,” junior linebacker Donald Thomas said.

A press conference will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at O’Brien Stadium where Spoo will give the state of the Panthers football program.

Spoo was hospitalized this August and spent several months in rehabilitation for the illness.

“I’m excited about getting back to the day-to-day business of running the football team,” Spoo said.

Barring any setbacks, Eastern’s all-time leader in wins will be on the sidelines for the spring game and the season opener Sept. 8 as the Panthers travel take on his alma mater Purdue.

“Coach Spoo has been the face of this program for many years,” Eastern director of athletics Rich McDuffie said in a press release. “He is a person who has brought integrity and strong leadership to not only our football team, but our entire athletic program.”

Word got reached to the players this week that Spoo would be returning soon.

“What not many people understand is that we look at coach Spoo as more than just a coach,” Thomas said. “He’s a mentor and father figure for a lot guys and so he was never gone in our minds.”

Initially the university stated Eastern’s head coach would be out for four to six weeks but once that timetable was up speculation started as to when, or if, Spoo would retake the position.

“(Spoo) says he wants to coach as long as (Penn State head coach) Joe Paterno,” Eastern defensive coordinator Roc Bellantoni said earlier this week. “Coach is 70 (years old) and Joe is 80.”

“It’s a question that was being asked by many high school players and their parents,” Eastern assistant head coach Mark Hutson said. “Now all we have to do is take the news release to them.”

Hutson served as acting head coach for the 2006 season in Spoo’s absence.

“It takes away some anxiety and basically means we’re back to normal,” Hutson said.

After making periodical visits to the offices and meetings at O’Brien Stadium, Spoo’s main focus is the off-season recruiting season with National Signing Day being three months away.

“It gives us some continuity with recruiting responsibilities and takes some of the anxiety away,” Hutson said.

During his return, Spoo has been filling many national media requests about former Panthers and current Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo. Spoo also filmed a special segment on Thursday afternoon for ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown.

Eastern headcoach Bob Spoo address players earlier in the season. Spoo missed the entire 2006 season due to a medical illness. Spoo returned to his head coaching duties on Friday. (Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

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