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Eastern Illinois head football coach Adam Cushing has announced the hiring of Derek Stein as the Panthers new Director of Football Performance.  Stein, who was a graduate assistant for two years with the EIU Strength and Conditioning program, returns to the Charleston campus on January 4.
 
Stein worked from 2017-19 at Eastern Illinois as the primary strength coach for Panther baseball, men's soccer and the track & field throws group.  He also assisted with EIU football working with Coach Cushing and his staff in the spring of 2019.

"I am thrilled to be rejoining Coach Cushing, his staff, and the EIU family. Having spent two years here previously as a graduate assistant, this feels like coming home for me," said Stein.  "I had the opportunity to work with Coach Cushing and his staff when they began at EIU. They're phenomenal people who are passionate about having a positive impact on the student-athletes they work with, as well as the EIU community. While the circumstances of my return are difficult, I am excited to build on the great culture and foundation that Coach Joe Orozco was vital in establishing. I couldn't be more thankful that the coaches wanted to bring me back. I can't wait to get started with the guys so we can expand on their progress and hard work, and prepare to succeed on the field and in the classroom this spring.
 
Following graduation from EIU with his master's in 2019, Stein worked the 2019-20 school year as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Louisiana Tech serving as the primary coach for women's basketball, volleyball, women's soccer, golf, tennis and bowling.  He assisted with men's basketball and was responsible for the hiring of strength and conditioning interns.
 
Most recently Stein worked as an assistant strength coach at Northwestern State University in Louisiana where he was the primary coach for women's basketball, volleyball, softball and the track & field throws group. He assisted with football, baseball and women's soccer while creating a strength and conditioning internship program.
 
"We are thrilled to welcome Derek back to our football program," said Cushing.  "He is an incredible teacher, tireless worker and passionate mentor of young men.  Derek will be a tremendous asset to the development of our young men, on and off the field."
 
A 2015 graduate of George Mason University, Stein was a student-athlete on the GMU club football team.  As an undergraduate he worked as a performance coach for Don Beebe's House of Speed, served as the Virginia National Wrestling Team Coach and coached football and wrestling at two area schools.
 
Stein's first job was as an assistant strength coach and assistant football coach at Finlandia University in Michigan.  After working the 2015-16 academic year in that role, he was promoted to the strength and conditioning coordinator for all of the school's ten NCAA Division III athletic programs.

EIU football will play its 2020 schedule during the spring of 2021 with the opener on Feb. 21 at UT Martin.  The schedule will consist of seven Ohio Valley Conference games.