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Terry Hoeppner

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Terry Hoeppner
Biographical details
Born(1947-08-19)August 19, 1947
Woodburn, Indiana, U.S.
DiedJune 19, 2007(2007-06-19) (aged 59)
Bloomington, Indiana, U.S.
Playing career
1965–1968Franklin (IN)
1972Indiana Caps
1974Detroit Wheels
1975Charlotte Hornets
Position(s)Safety
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1970–1972Eastbrook HS (IN)
1974–1975Pinson Valley HS (AL) (AHC)
1976–1978Mullins HS (SC)
1979East Noble HS (IN)
1980–1985Franklin (IN) (DC)
1986–1992Miami (OH) (LB)
1993–1998Miami (OH) (AHC)
1999–2004Miami (OH)
2005–2006Indiana
Head coaching record
Overall57–39 (college)
Bowls1–1
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 Mid-American (2003)
2 Mid-American East Division (2003–2004)
Awards
MAC Coach of the Year (2003)

Terry Lee Hoeppner (August 19, 1947 – June 19, 2007) was an American college football coach who served as head coach of the Miami RedHawks from 1999 to 2004 and the Indiana Hoosiers from 2005 to 2006. Shortly after announcing that he would be on medical leave for the 2007 season, he died of brain cancer.[1][2]

Hoeppner was a 1969 graduate of Franklin College, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta international fraternity. He played for the Indiana Caps of the Midwest Football League, and Detroit Wheels and Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League. He owned a 57–39 overall record as a collegiate head coach. He is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

Family

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Terry and Jane Hoeppner had three children: Drew Hoeppner, Amy Fox, and Allison Hoeppner. Allison was killed in an automobile accident on September 24, 2016.[3]

Professional career

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Hoepper signed with the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League as an undrafted free agent in May 1969.[4][5] He left the team during training camp due to an injury.[6] He played for the Indiana Caps of the Midwest Football League in 1972.[7] Hoeppner signed with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL in 1973,[8] but they released him before the season on August 28, 1973.[9] He played for the Detroit Wheels of the World Football League in 1974.[10] The Wheels folded after the 1974 season, and Hoeppner was selected by the Charlotte Hornets in a WFL dispersal draft in October 1974.[11]

High school coach

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Hoeppner was a head coach of Eastbrook High School in Marion, Indiana (1970–1972), Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama (1973–1976), Mullins High School in Mullins, South Carolina (1976–1978) and East Noble High School in Kendallville, Indiana (1979).

College assistant coach

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Hoeppner's first job as an assistant coach was at his alma mater, Franklin College, where he served as defensive coordinator. He spent six years there before moving to Miami University as a linebacker coach in 1986. After 12 years, Hoeppner worked his way up to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. He was also able to retain his positions after head coach Tim Rose was replaced prior to the 1990 season by the late Randy Walker. Hoeppner was instrumental in the development of several NFL players, including JoJuan Armour, Dustin Cohen, and Sheldon White.

College head coach

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Miami University

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After spending 13 years as an assistant at Miami, Hoeppner became the RedHawks' 31st head coach in 1999. He succeeded Walker, who was named head coach at Northwestern. Hoeppner's first game at Miami was against Walker and the Wildcats, which resulted in a 28–3 Miami victory. Despite the win, his first year was considered by some to be a disappointment. The RedHawks were coming off a 10–1 season, and returned several starters including record-breaking running back Travis Prentice, but were only able to post a 7–4 record. The dropoff was attributed in part to Hoeppner's installation of an open passing attack, rather than the running game Walker had used in the past. The change ended up paying dividends later, as Miami earned a 48–25 overall record under Hoeppner and finished among the top three in the Mid-American Conference East in each of his six years at the helm. While at Miami, Hoeppner recruited and signed Ben Roethlisberger by promising to play him at quarterback, whereas other programs were recruiting Roethlisberger as a wide receiver or a tight end. Roethlisberger went on to achieve great success in the National Football League (NFL) as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hoeppner's best season was 2003 when Miami, quarterbacked by Roethlisberger, went 13–1 and finished No. 10 in the final AP Poll..

Indiana

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During his first year as head coach at Indiana University, Hoeppner tried to resurrect life into the program through his campaign entitled "Coach Hoeppner wants you." Hoeppner and the Hoosiers began the season 4–1 before losing their last six games. After the season, Hoeppner was diagnosed with a brain tumor [12] The following year, the Hoosiers once again started strong, but eventually fell one game short of Hoeppner's goal of reaching a college bowl berth. His oft quoted mantra was "Play 13." In 2007, the inspired Hoosiers succeeded in Hoeppner's goal and became eligible to participate in the Insight Bowl.

In September 2006, Hoeppner required additional brain surgery, causing him to miss two weeks of the regular season. He returned to the team to coach against Wisconsin.

Death

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On March 18, 2007, it was revealed that he would sit out the 2007 spring practices for health reasons. IU announced in June 2007 that Hoeppner would be on a medical leave of absence for the entire 2007 season and that assistant coach Bill Lynch would serve as head coach. Shortly after the announcement, Hoeppner died from complications from his brain cancer.

Head coaching record

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College

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Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Miami RedHawks (Mid-American Conference) (1999–2004)
1999 Miami 7–4 6–2 2nd (East)
2000 Miami 6–5 5–3 T–3rd (East)
2001 Miami 7–5 6–2 T–2nd (East)
2002 Miami 7–5 5–3 3rd (East)
2003 Miami 13–1 8–0 1st (East) W GMAC 12 10
2004 Miami 8–5 7–1 1st (East) L Independence
Miami: 48–25 37–11
Indiana Hoosiers (Big Ten Conference) (2005–2006)
2005 Indiana 4–7 1–7 10th
2006 Indiana 5–7 3–5 T–6th
Indiana: 9–14 4–12
Total: 57–39
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References

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  1. ^ "Terry Hoeppner dies". Herald-Times (Bloomington, Indiana). Retrieved June 19, 2007.
  2. ^ "Indiana Football Coach Terry Hoeppner Passes Away". Indiana University Athletics. Archived from the original on June 21, 2007. Retrieved June 19, 2007.
  3. ^ "Daughter of former IU football coach dies after bus strikes vehicle on SR 37". Fox 59. September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 24, 2016.
  4. ^ "Hoeppner inks Cardinal pact". The Daily Journal. May 17, 1969. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Hoeppner Signs". The Indianapolis News. May 21, 1969. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Trimble, Rookie Quit Big Red". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. July 25, 1969. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Pass Thefts Provide Caps 14–7 Verdict". The Indianapolis Star. July 16, 1972. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Pack Holds Drill for Receivers". The Capital Times. May 8, 1973. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Packers cut 3". The Post-Crescent. August 28, 1973. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Vincent, Charlie (August 8, 1974). "Homecoming For Wheel in Birmingham". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ "Hornets Draft Detroit Player". Statesville Record and Landmark. October 23, 1974. Retrieved April 18, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ CSTV Hoosiers page Archived September 20, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
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