Hoeppner, Miami Agree to Five-Year Contract Extension
12/6/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 6, 2003
OXFORD, Ohio - Miami University head football coach Terry Hoeppner has agreed to a five-year contract extension, Director of Athletics Brad Bates and Miami University President James Garland, announced today. Hoeppner's contract now runs through the 2009 football season.
"Terry Hoeppner and his staff have brought distinction, pride and enthusiasm to our university while developing future leaders in our communities," said Director of Athletics Brad Bates. "Terry recruits quality students of character who happen to be good athletes. His program regularly performs community service, consistently participates in numerous public events, and daily represents our great university. The success of the 2003 football program has facilitated an unprecedented three sellouts at Yager Stadium, five national television appearances and a trip to the GMAC Bowl in Mobile, Ala.
"Terry's well-deserved extension represents a noteworthy commitment of President Jim Garland and our University leadership to Miami Football. While Bob Kurz's moniker, "Cradle of Coaches" has rightfully brought remarkable recognition to Miami University, the time has arrived where Miami University has evolved from the 'Cradle' to an extraordinary football 'destination.' We are very excited about the future of Miami University football under the continued leadership of Terry Hoeppner."
"I am very happy that we have come to an agreement with Coach Hoeppner on a five-year extension to his contract," said President Garland. "Miami University is proud to be known as the 'Cradle of Coaches,' but that doesn't mean we want anyone robbing our cradle." Miami has posted an 12-1 record this season and captured its first Mid-American Conference championship since 1986 on Thursday night with a 49-27 win over Bowling Green in the MAC Championship Game. Earlier this week, Hoeppner earned the MAC's Coach of the Year award, the first by a Miami coach since Dick Crum in 1974, while nine of his players were named all-conference. The RedHawks are currently ranked No. 11 in the BCS rankings and are No. 14 in the Associated Press poll and No. 15 in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches polls.
"I am very appreciative for the committement the University has made toward the football program and me. I can't say enough how great everyone has been from President Garland and the University administration down to Brad Bates and the athletics department administration. This is truly a great vote of confidence for me and our staff. For my family, it is very meaningful that we can stay here in Oxford, a place that has been so good to us throughout my career."
The 2003 football season has been one filled with history as Miami reached 12 wins, the most ever in a season in school history and is just one short of the overall winning streak of 13 set from 1972 to 1974. This year's team has scored 554 points and is averaging 42.5 point per game, demolishing the previous MAC record of 495 set by Toledo last season.
Big wins have also been a hallmark of this year's team. After losing 21-3 at Iowa, the RedHawks posted dominating non-conference wins over Northwestern (44-14) and Colorado State (41-21) and closed out its non-conference slate by capturing its third straight Victory Bell win over the University of Cincinnati, 42-37.
The RedHawks perfect 8-0 record in the MAC this season, including nationally televised wins over Bowling Green (33-10 and 49-27) and Marshall (45-6), is just the third time a MAC school has been able to run the table since the league broke into division in 1997.
