Coach Hoover graduated from Shelby High School in 1971. Four years later he graduated from Bowling Green State University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education. In 1983 he received his master’s degree in educational administration from The Ohio State University.

He began his coaching career in Upper Arlington from 1975-1995 as a junior high school and varsity assistant coach. He was head coach at Westerville North High School from 1983-1995 and at Canton McKinley High School from 1995-2006. During his 23 years as head coach his teams won 5 Ohio Capital Conference championships, 2 Federal League Championships, 11 district championships, 7 regional championships and 3 state championships. Their combined record during those years was 405-141. The Canton McKinley state championship teams of 2005-2006 made McKinley the first school in 33 years to win back-to-back championships in the big school division and the first big school in almost 40 years to win consecutive poll championships and state tournament championships. His 1994 Westerville North state championship team is still the only suburban school to win a big school title.

Dave has been named conference coach of the year 7 times, district coach of the year 5 times and state coach of the year 3 times. He served on the District 10 coach’s board for 8 years and was president for 2 years. He coached in the North-South All Star in 1995 and 2005.

Dave and his wife, Judy, live in Canton. They have two daughters, Brianna Abbott and Mackenzie Spalding, a son-in-law, Brad Spalding, and two grandchildren, Carlyn and Colton Spalding.

Part of Dave’s philosophy of coaching is that the responsibility of each person on the team is to fulfill his role. A team’s work ethic starts with the coach. Let your staff and players see that you are willing to outwork everyone and they will follow your lead. Trust is formed when each person on the team sees all of the other members pulling together to make each player better. A team with trust is a happy and confident team that will persevere in difficult times.