CHARLESTON, Ill. – Eastern Illinois director of athletics Barbara Burke announced the hiring of Eric Cash as the Panthers new strength and conditioning coach. Cash started with the program on June 1 and will oversee the development of EIU student-athletes for all 21 sports.

Cash comes to EIU following two seasons as the head strength and conditioning coach at Presbyterian College helping improve the strength and speed for 16 intercollegiate programs. Under his guidance the Blue Hose football team finished spring practices with 45 players able to bench 300 lbs. and ten players running sub 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash.

He was the linebackers coach and assistant strength coach at Byrnes (S.C.) High School before taking over at Presbyterian. He also has previous college experience as a graduate assistant strength coach at Clemson working with the Tigers men's and women's soccer programs.

Cash is a 2002 graduate of USC Upstate and holds a masters degree from Clemson.

“We are excited for Eric (Cash) to join our program,” said Burke. “He has great experience at the college level that will only help to improve the strength and conditioning and overall fitness of Eastern Illinois student-athletes.”