Eastern Illinois University Coach, Tinley Native Dead At 30

TINLEY PARK, IL — Eastern Illinois University announced the death of Joe Orozco, director of Football Performance, who died over the weekend. Orozco, 30, was a native of Tinley Park, according to the university.

"Coach Orozco was such a vibrant member of our athletic staff and football program," said EIU Athletic Director Tom Michael, according to the university. "It was a shock to the system to hear the news that a young person that was so full of life and energy had passed away. He was someone that brought such passion for his work, our players and the EIU football program every day. His presence will truly be missed."

According to the university, Orozco had been with the Panthers Athletic Department for just under two years joining the staff as one of the first hires by current EIU head coach Adam Cushing.

"I'm heartbroken and cannot find the words to express my feelings about Joe. He exuded passion and enthusiasm for the young men he served every minute of every day. Everyone in our program is fortunate for every second being influenced by him, me included," Cushing said, according to the university. "Our entire program, and lives, will have an enormous void which will never be filled, but we will honor Joe the way I know he wants: together, as a family, with extreme passion for our opportunity each day."

Orozco built a longstanding relationship with Cushing and many of the EIU football staff during his time at Northwestern, the university said. Orozco began his time in Evanston as a Football Performance Intern with Northwestern in 2013. He served one year as a graduate assistant strength coach in 2014 before four years as an assistant football performance coach, according to the university.

The university said during his time with the program, Northwestern participated in four bowl games.

Orozco, 30, played college football at North Central College, earning Academic All-Conference honors, according to the university. He earned his undergraduate degree from NCC in 2012 and master's degree from Northwestern in 2017, according to the university.