It’s been a trying past couple of weeks for Jason Candle and the Toledo football program.
Earlier this month, Rockets defensive lineman Jahneil Douglas was shot and killed in the city. Now, Wednesday afternoon, Toledo announced that its head football coach has tested positive for COVID-19. According to the school, Candle was exposed to the virus by an individual outside of the athletic department who also tested positive. That person was not identified.
Candle will be self-isolating at home for a period of 10 days. As of now, the coach is not experiencing any symptoms.
It’s believed that Candle is the first FBS head coach to test positive for COVID-19.
“The University of Toledo will work with the Lancaster County Health Department to determine if any further steps are required,” the school stated in its release. “Candle will return to work after meeting the isolation guidelines.”
The 40-year-old Candle is getting set to enter his fifth season at Toledo. In the first four, the Rockets went 34-19.
“I recently tested positive for COVID-19,” a statement from Jason Candle began. “Fortunately, I have not experienced any symptoms. I appreciate all the doctors and medical workers who are on the front lines battling the virus. I look forward to returning to the team after meeting safety guidelines. Go Rockets!”
Toledo is coming off a 6-6 2019 football campaign. That marked the worst record for the Rockets since going 5-7 in 2009. UT has won 13 games the past two seasons. That’s the fewest for the MAC school since eight wins in 2007-08.