Spoo back to surgery, out 4-6 weeks

Eastern Illinois announced today that head coach Bob Spoo will miss four to six weeks of the season, as he returns to a St. Louis hospital for surgery on Tuesday.

The school did not release details of Spoo's medical condition. The 68-year-old coach missed two days of camp last week for what was described as a minor procedure. The 2006 season is Spoo's 20th at EIU.

Assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mark Hutson will lead the defending OVC-champion Panthers in Spoo's absence. EIU opens play at Illinois Sept. 2.

Spoo is the second OVC coach to hand over the helm for health reasons this year. Tennessee Tech's Mike Hennigan stepped aside because of an undisclosed ailment in July. Doug Malone now is leading the Golden Eagles.

Here's the official school release on Spoo's absence, and here's an AP story at The Sporting News' Web site.

Here's hoping Spoo comes through OK.