American Football Database
American Football Database
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Terry Hoeppner
File:Terry Hoeppner.jpeg
Sport(s)Football
Biographical details
Born(1947-08-19)August 19, 1947
Woodburn, Indiana
DiedJune 19, 2007(2007-06-19) (aged 59)
Bloomington, Indiana
Playing career
1966–1969Franklin (IN)
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1970–1972
1976–1978
1979
1980–1985
1986–1992
1993–1998
1999–2004
2005–2007
Eastbrook HS (IN)
Mullins HS (SC)
East Noble HS (IN)
Franklin (IN) (DC)
Miami (OH) (LB)
Miami (OH) (AHC)
Miami (OH)
Indiana
Head coaching record
Overall57–39
Bowls1–1
Statistics
College Football Data Warehouse
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
1 Mid-American (2003)
2 Mid-American East Division (2003–2004)
Awards
MAC Coach of the Year (2003)

Terry 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 owned a 57–39 overall record as a collegiate head coach. He is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame.

Family[]

Terry and Jane Hoeppner had three children: Drew Hoeppner, Amy Fox and Allison Hoeppner.

Professional career[]

Hoeppner played for the Detroit Wheels 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.

High school coach[]

Terry 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[]

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[]

Miami University[]

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. [1] 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..

Indiana[]

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 [3] 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[]

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 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[]

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
#Rankings from final Coaches' Poll.
°Rankings from final AP Poll.

References[]

External links[]


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