Roc Bellantoni, defensive coordinator, did not see Eastern head coach Bob Spoo as just the coach of the Panthers. To Bellantoni, Spoo was more of a father figure.

“I can’t even begin to say what (Spoo) means to me, I have said it many, many times he has been like a father figure to me,” Bellantoni said.

Bellantoni’s father died in 2005 and Spoo was there to help Bellantoni with whatever he needed.

“He has kind of taken over that role of father,” Bellantoni said.

Bellantoni said he cannot describe how many things Spoo has taught him, but he said he knows he would not be where he is today if it was not for Spoo.

“He taught me about integrity, respect, accountability,” Bellantoni said.

Spoo’s relationship with Bellantoni is one that will be treasured for the rest of his life, said Bellantoni.

“I can’t even begin to describe how much he has meant to me and how much I treasure my relationship with him,” Bellantoni said.

Bellantoni interviewed for a job in the Big Ten a few years ago, but he did not get the job. He said he called Spoo the following day and he was given the job back with open arms.

“I told (Spoo) I was staying and he said that he was convoluted. I asked if it was a good or a bad thing, he told me he was disappointed I didn’t get the job, but he was relieved and happy that I was staying,” Bellantoni said.

Bellantoni finally figured out what the word meant when Spoo announced his retirement last week. Convoluted means complicated or intricately involved.

“I was very happy for him that he has come to peace with his career, but on the other hand I was very selfish about him when I realized that in 12 months I won’t see his face outside my door,” Bellantoni said.

Wittke remembers 1995

Offensive coordinator Roy Wittke’s most fond memory of Spoo was in 1995, when Eastern qualified for the playoffs after a poor season the previous year.

“I remember (Spoo) after we beat Indiana State in our last game of the year to clinch a playoff berth, he was so appreciative and so thankful for the effort from not only the coaching staff but our kids,” Wittke said.

Wittke said he remembered how the team had resurrected itself from a tough season a year before thanks to the leadership of Spoo.

“I will always remember that (game), it will always be a memory I hold close to my heart,” Wittke said.

Spoo has led the Panthers for 24 years and the players and coaches on the team have said that Spoo is a good coach who has become a legend on Eastern’s campus, but to some coaches the announcement of his retirement came as a bit of a surprise.

Wittke said that the announcement shocked him.

“It was a surprise, it personally caught me off guard,” Wittke said.

Players and coaches said they realize what kind of coach they have in Spoo. They said he is a great coach to work with and play for. Wittke said Spoo was more than just a mentor, he was a good friend that he cherishes.

“He has handled himself in every situation imaginable with tremendous integrity,” Wittke said.

Both Wittke and Bellantoni said the Panthers should be able to go on without Spoo thanks to the solid foundation he laid down, but it is hard to predict what exactly will happen.

“I don’t know what will happen, but I will say that hundreds of players and coaches have been affected by coach Spoo and there are thousands of lives that have been touched because they dealt with him,” Bellantoni said.

Rob Mortell can be reached at 581-7944 or at rdmortell@eiu.edu.

Illustration by Amanda Limbach

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