Miami Ohio University Athletics
Miami University's Cradle of Coaches Mourns the Loss of Terry Hoeppner
6/19/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
At the request of the family of Indiana University football coach Terry Hoeppner, the public is invited to a "Celebration of Life" for Coach Hep at Noon, Saturday, June 23, in Indiana University's Assembly Hall. Doors will open at 11:30 a.m. and those attending should enter via the north or south entrance of the facility.
June 19, 2007
OXFORD, Ohio - Members of Miami University's athletic family were saddened Tuesday morning after learning that Terry Hoeppner, a former head football coach at Miami University and the head coach at Indiana University since 2005, had passed away. The 59-year-old Hoeppner, who guided Miami to a 48-25 record in six seasons as head coach, passed away early this morning (June 19) due to complications from brain cancer.
Hoeppner, a native of Woodburn, Ind., was part of the Miami football program for 19 seasons, including six as the head coach from 1999-2004. As head coach of the RedHawks, Hoeppner led Miami to a pair of Mid-American Conference East Division titles and back-to-back bowl games (2003-04) for the first time in 30 years. His finest season was 2003 when Miami finished 13-1 overall and 8-0 in the MAC and won the program's first MAC title since 1986. After a season-opening loss to Iowa, Hoeppner led the RedHawks to a program-record 13 straight wins, which culminated with a 49-28 victory over Louisville in the GMAC Bowl. Miami finished the 2003 season ranked 10th in the Associated Press Poll and 12th in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Poll.
In his six seasons as a head coach in Oxford, Hoeppner posted six straight winning seasons, including five seasons with seven or more wins, and finished among the top three in the MAC East for the duration of his tenure. Hoeppner finished his Miami head coaching career ranked second in career victories (48), fourth in career games (73) and 10th in career winning percentage (.658).
Hoeppner mentored seven NFL draft picks while at Miami, most notably 2004 NFL Rookie of the Year and Super Bowl XL Champion Ben Roethlisberger. In just three seasons, Roethlisberger broke nearly every Miami passing record and stands as the program's all-time leader in passing yards (10,289), passing touchdowns (84) and total offense (11,075).
Prior to assuming head coaching duties at Miami, Hoeppner spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach in many capacities, including assistant head coach/defensive backs coach (1993-95) and assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (1995-98). During his coaching career, including his time as an assistant, Miami upset four nationally-ranked teams on the road and earned a total of 12 wins over BCS conference schools.
Hoeppner was named the head football coach at Indiana on Dec. 17, 2004, becoming the third former Miami coach, along with John Pont and Bill Mallory, to patrol the Indiana sidelines. In two seasons with the Hoosiers, Hoeppner compiled a 9-14 record, including five wins in 2006.
Hoeppner earned his bachelor's degree from Franklin College in 1969 and his master's degree from Butler in 1983. He is survived by his wife, Jane, and three children, Drew, Amy Fox and Allison Balcam.
The tragic passing of Hoeppner, whose 19 seasons in Oxford marked the longest stay for any coach in program history, is the third loss for Miami's prestigious Cradle of Coaches in the past 12 months. Former head coaches Randy Walker and Bo Schembechler also passed away in the last year.
Following are some of the thoughts expressed by the Miami athletic family on Coach Hoeppner's passing:
Shane Montgomery
Head Football Coach, Miami University
"Terry was a mentor. I wouldn't be where I am today without him being a mentor to me. Everybody knew what a great coach he was, but he was a great person. He was a great person to be around. He was a coaches' coach and a players' coach and had a great attitude about everything. I know he was fighting until the last day, and that's just the type of person he was. We're going to miss him. I'm going to miss him as both a coach and a friend."
Brad Bates
Director of Athletics, Miami University
"I am forever inspired by Terry Hoeppner--he led by words and actions, from near and far, by example and intellect and as a perpetual teacher and student. Terry was a great teacher, a better coach, an even better colleague and, most of all, friend."
Dan Dalrymple
Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, New Orleans Saints
Former Miami University Football Player/Coach/Strength and Conditioning Coach
"I always think about Terry Hoeppner's passion, his love of football and his love for his players. He had unbridled enthusiasm and a zest for life and coaching. He has touched the lives of numbers of players and his legacy will go on because of the type of person he was. He had an impact on everyone he met. "
TERRY HOEPPNER--At Miami University • Spent 19 seasons at Miami University as an assistant and head coach • Served as head coach at Miami for six seasons from 1999-2004 • Posted career record of 48-25 as a head coach at Miami, including six straight winning seasons and six consecutive top-three MAC East finishes • The 19 seasons he spent at Miami are the most of any coach in program history • Mentored seven NFL draft picks at Miami, including 2004 NFL Rookie of the Year and Super Bowl XL Champion Ben Roethlisberger • Finished his Miami head coaching stint ranked second in career victories (48), fourth in career games (73) and 10th in career winning percentage (.658) • One of three former Miami coaches to be named head football coach at Miami, joining John Pont and Bill Mallory • His finest season was 2003 when he led Miami to a 13-1 overall mark, including 8-0 in the MAC. Miami also won its first MAC title since 1986, finished the season with a program-record 13 straight wins and was ranked 10th in the final Associated Press poll.HEAD COACHING RECORD AT MIAMI 1999 - 7-4, 6-2 MAC (2nd East) 2000 - 6-5, 5-3 MAC (T-3rd East) 2001 - 7-5, 6-2 MAC (t-2nd East) 2002 - 7-5, 5-3 MAC (3rd East) 2003 - 13-1, 8-0 MAC (1st) - MAC Champions, GMAC Bowl Champions 2004 - 8-5, 7-1 MAC (1st East) - MAC East Champions, Independence Bowl Appearance
COACHING POSITIONS AT MIAMI 1986 - Linebackers Coach 1987-93 - Defensive Backs Coach 1993-95 - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Backs Coach 1995-98 - Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator 1999-2004 - Head Coach
