Indiana Football Coach Hoeppner Dies at 59

Jun 19, 04:09 PM

Current Headlines: By Marcus R. Fuller, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.

Jun. 19--Indiana University football coach Terry Hoeppner passed away Tuesday morning following complications from a brain tumor.

Hoeppner, 59, who coached the Hoosiers to a 9-14 record in two seasons, had two brain surgeries in the past 18 months and took a medical leave in March.

"Terry's fight was courageous and will serve as an inspiration to those who have known him," said Indiana athletics director Rick Greenspan in a release. "This is a truly sad day for our community and all of our thoughts and prayers are with the Hoeppner family and to those whose lives he has touched."

Indiana assistant Bill Lynch will reportedly replace Hoeppner as coach for the 2007 season.

University of Minnesota athletics director Joel Maturi hired Hoeppner at Miami (Ohio) to replace the late Randy Walker, who left to become Northwestern's head coach in 1999. Maturi was the athletics director at Miami (Ohio) from 1998-2002.

Before Hoeppner left to coach at Indiana, he spent 19 seasons at Miami, including six years as head coach. Hoeppner compiled a 48-25 overall record with the Red Hawks.

"Obviously, I am deeply saddened by the passing of Coach Hoeppner," Maturi said in a statement. "Terry was a true leader, and Indiana has lost not only a great coach, but more importantly, a great husband, father and friend. I can't express the sorrow I feel personally and that the whole Minnesota family feels for the Hoeppner family and Indiana community. Our hearts go out to his wife, Jane, and his children, Amy, Allison and Drew."

Marcus R. Fuller can be reached at mfuller@pioneerpress.com.

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