Terry Hoeppner
Encyclopedia
Terry Hoeppner 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.
Hoeppner was a 1969 graduate of Franklin College, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta
international fraternity. He owned a 57–39 overall record as a collegiate head coach. He is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame
.
and the Charlotte Hornets
of the World Football League
for one season each. He was also invited to training camps for the NFL
's St. Louis Cardinals
and Green Bay Packers
, but never made either active roster.
in Marion, Indiana
(1970–1972), Mullins High School in Mullins, South Carolina
(1976–1978) and East Noble High School
in Kendallville, Indiana
(1979).
. 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
.
' 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. http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Roeth/Roeth_bio.html Roethlisberger went on to achieve great success in the NFL as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers
. Hoeppner's best season was 2003 when Miami, quarterbacked by Roethlisberger, went 13–1 and finished #10 in the final AP Poll
..
, 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 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
.
and that assistant coach Bill Lynch
would serve as head coach. Shortly after the announcement, Hoeppner died from complications from his brain cancer.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
coach who served as head coach
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
of the Miami RedHawks
Miami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
from 1999 to 2004 and the Indiana Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
from 2005 to 2006. Shortly after announcing that he would be on medical leave for the 2007 season, he died of brain cancer.
Hoeppner was a 1969 graduate of Franklin College, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Delta Theta , also known as Phi Delt, is an international fraternity founded at Miami University in 1848 and headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma Chi form the Miami Triad. The fraternity has about 169 active chapters and colonies in over 43 U.S...
international fraternity. He owned a 57–39 overall record as a collegiate head coach. He is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame
Indiana Football Hall of Fame
The Indiana Football Hall of Fame is a sports museum and hall of fame in Richmond, Indiana. It honors persons associated with high school, college and professional American football in Indiana. It also works to establish scholarships and endowments to promote football in the state of Indiana...
.
Professional career
Hoeppner played for the Detroit WheelsDetroit Wheels
The Detroit Wheels were an American football team, a charter member of the ill-fated World Football League.The Wheels were founded December 13, 1973 by ten investors, whose number eventually grew to 33, including singer Marvin Gaye, Motown Records vice-president Esther Edwards, and Little Caesars...
and the Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets (WFL)
The Charlotte Hornets were an American football team in the short-lived World Football League. They were relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, from New York City in the middle of the 1974 season.-History:...
of the World Football League
World Football League
The World Football League was a short-lived gridiron football league that played in 1974 and part of 1975. Although the league's proclaimed ambition was to bring American football onto a worldwide stage, the farthest the WFL reached was placing a team – the Hawaiians – in Honolulu, Hawaii. The...
for one season each. He was also invited to training camps for the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
and Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
, but never made either active roster.
High school coach
Terry was a head coach of Eastbrook High SchoolEastbrook High School
Eastbrook High School is a public school located outside of Marion, Indiana. The school teaches students from Upland, Washington, Matthews, and Van Buren.-Description:...
in Marion, Indiana
Marion, Indiana
Marion is a city in Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 29,948 as of the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Grant County...
(1970–1972), Mullins High School in Mullins, South Carolina
Mullins, South Carolina
Mullins is a city in Marion County, South Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 5,029.Incorporated on March 4, 1872, Mullins was named after Col. William S...
(1976–1978) and East Noble High School
East Noble High School
East Noble High School is a grade 9-12 high school located in Kendallville, Indiana, and is the only high school that is part of the East Noble School Corporation. It serves to educate the approximately 1,200 students from the cities and towns of Rome City, Brimfield, Kendallville, Avilla and LaOtto...
in Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville, Indiana
Kendallville is a city in Wayne Township, Noble County, Indiana, United States. The population was 9,862 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Kendallville is located at ....
(1979).
College assistant coach
Hoeppner's first job as an assistant coach was at his alma mater, Franklin College, where he served as defensive coordinatorDefensive coordinator
A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
. He spent six years there before moving to Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
as a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
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
Tim Rose (football coach)
-External links:*...
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
JoJuan Armour
JoJuan Armour is a former safety in the National Football League and former linebacker in the Canadian Football League. On February 25, 2010, Armour announced his retirement after six seasons in the CFL...
, Dustin Cohen, and Sheldon White
Sheldon White
Sheldon Darnell White is a former American football cornerback in the National Football League for the New York Giants, Detroit Lions, and the Cincinnati Bengals. He played from 1988-1993. He is currently the Director of Pro Personnel for the Lions....
.
Miami University
After spending 13 years as an assistant at Miami, Hoeppner became the RedHawksMiami RedHawks football
The Miami University RedHawks, known as the Miami Redskins before 1996, are a NCAA Division I FBS college football program that competes in the Mid-American Conference...
' 31st head coach in 1999. He succeeded Walker, who was named head coach at Northwestern
Northwestern Wildcats football
The Northwestern Wildcats football team, representing Northwestern University, is a NCAA Division I team and member of the Big Ten Conference, with evidence of organization in 1876...
. 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
Travis Prentice
Travis Jason Prentice is a former American football running back. Prentice holds the NCAA Division I-A records for career rushing touchdowns, total touchdowns, and points scored while playing running back for the Miami RedHawks.-High school career:Prentice attended duPont Manual High School in...
, 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
Mid-American Conference
The Mid-American Conference is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college athletic conference with a membership base in the Great Lakes region that stretches from Western New York to Illinois. Nine of the twelve full member schools are in Ohio and Michigan, with single members...
East in each of his six years at the helm. While at Miami, Hoeppner recruited and signed Ben Roethlisberger
Ben Roethlisberger
Benjamin Todd "Ben" Roethlisberger , nicknamed Big Ben, is an American football quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Steelers in the first round in the 2004 NFL Draft...
by promising to play him at quarterback, whereas other programs were recruiting Roethlisberger as a wide receiver or a tight end. http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Roeth/Roeth_bio.html Roethlisberger went on to achieve great success in the NFL as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
. Hoeppner's best season was 2003 when Miami, quarterbacked by Roethlisberger, went 13–1 and finished #10 in the final AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
..
Indiana
During his first year as head coach at Indiana UniversityIndiana University Bloomington
Indiana University Bloomington is a public research university located in Bloomington, Indiana, in the United States. IU Bloomington is the flagship campus of the Indiana University system. Being the flagship campus, IU Bloomington is often referred to simply as IU or Indiana...
, Hoeppner tried to resurrect life into the program through his campaign entitled "Coach Hoeppner wants you." Hoeppner and the Hoosiers
Indiana Hoosiers football
The Indiana Hoosiers football program represents Indiana University Bloomington in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football and in the Big Ten Conference.-Bowl games:...
began the season 4–1 before losing their last six games. After the season, Hoeppner was diagnosed with a brain tumor 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
Insight Bowl
The Insight Bowl is an NCAA college football bowl game played in Arizona since 1989. From 1989 to 1999, the games were played at Arizona Stadium in Tucson. The game moved to Phoenix in 2000 and was played at Chase Field until 2005. After the 2005 playing the Insight Bowl moved to Sun Devil Stadium...
.
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
2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team
The 2006 Wisconsin Badgers football team represented the University of Wisconsin–Madison during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by first-year head coach Bret Bielema, the Badgers completed the season with a 12-1 record, including a 7-1 mark in the Big Ten Conference, good for a...
.
Death
On March 18, 2007, it was revealed that he would sit out the 2007 spring practices due to health reasons. IU announced in June 2007 that Hoeppner would be on a medical leave of absence for the entire 2007 season2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2007 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on August 30, 2007, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in New Orleans, Louisiana on January 7, 2008, where the top...
and that assistant coach Bill Lynch
Bill Lynch
Bill Lynch is a college athletics administrator and former American football player and coach. Since March 2011, he has served at the Associate Athletic Director for Development at Butler University...
would serve as head coach. Shortly after the announcement, Hoeppner died from complications from his brain cancer.