ISU assistant coach Torrey Ward dies in plane crash

— -- Illinois State associate head coach Torrey Ward died in a plane crash near the Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington, Illinois, early Tuesday morning, according to team center Reggie Lynch.

McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage confirmed Tuesday afternoon that seven people died as the Cessna 414, returning from the Final Four in Indianapolis, crashed just short of the airport after midnight.

Local authorities found the wreckage of the plane around 3:15 a.m., Sgt. Bill Tate of the McLean County Sheriff's Office told ESPN.com.

According to his tweet Monday night, Ward had flown to Indianapolis on a private plane to watch the Final Four.

Lynch said head coach Dan Muller informed his players about Ward's death during an 8 a.m. team meeting. He said that a local priest also spoke with the team after it had received the news.

Ward, who was divorced, had a fiancée and two children, Torrey and Tamia, Lynch said. He played at UAB before going overseas to start a professional career. Ward was named associate head coach after the 2013-14 season.

"We're all just done," Lynch told ESPN.com. "That was my guy. He was my main man."

Tate said a Tuesday afternoon news conference has been scheduled.

"He was just the coolest coach," Lynch said. "He was a good dude, like, he was your friend. He was a great dude. He made friends with everyone. ... I'm hurting so bad right now."

Jeff Goodman of ESPN.com and The Associated Press contributed to this report.