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Terry Hoeppner Obituary
He died of complications from a brain tumor, just two seasons into a rebuilding program that energized fans, school spokesman J.D. Campbell said. Hoeppner, who had two brain surgeries in 18 months, spent the last four months on medical leave.
It was Hoeppner who added "The Rock" nickname to Memorial Stadium after moving a three-ton limestone boulder into the north end zone before his first season with the Hoosiers in 2005.
Hoeppner compiled a record of 48-25 at Miami of Ohio before going to Indiana. Last week, the school said assistant Bill Lynch would replace him as coach for the 2007 season.
In December 2005, doctors removed a tumor from his right temple. In September, tests revealed another growth in the same area of Hoeppner's brain.
A native of northeastern Indiana, Hoeppner grew up a Hoosiers fan, attended college at Franklin, near Indianapolis, and coached on the prep level in his home state.
In eight seasons as a head coach, six at Miami, Hoeppner was 57-39, and he took Miami to consecutive bowl games in 2003 and 2004.
After the September surgery, the energetic Hoeppner, whom players often described as seeming younger than his age, returned sooner than expected. The Hoosiers finished 5-7, and missed being bowl eligible by one game.
Hoeppner continued making public appearances until late February. In March, he announced he was skipping spring practice to regain his "energy and strength."
Copyright © 2007 The Associated Press
63 Entries
Jim
November 27, 2011
I only met Terry Hoepnner once at a Big 10 press conference but he was the nicest and most affable coach there. I hope people will always remember what a great coach and person he was.
July 28, 2010
Still think about you Coach. Your legacy stills grows every place you touched, especially at IU, where your stay was too short. God bless your family. God bless you. Jim.
How you can show support
Zack James
August 19, 2009
Sorry for your loss.
May you be strengthened and encouraged by reading these passages:
1 Corinthians 15:26 7 Revelation 21;1-4
Our Condolence to the Terry Hoeppner family
libby,lohmeyer suezanne libby
July 1, 2009
the,hoeppner's family in-tears
i'm very sorry i remember all the fun
times at your house with terry
also; fans, coaches, family,and friends
congratltions,; Go truely to hear him
love you hoeppner terry?
Dylan Hartwell
June 27, 2007
I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I remember all the fun times at your house with Terry.
Rachel Steck
June 26, 2007
Dear Drew,
I was so saddened to hear about your father's passing. Please know that my thoughts are with you and your family. You and I went to Talawanda together way back when, hope you can recall. Take care,
Rachel (Johnson) Steck, THS Class of 1994
Andy Aracri
June 24, 2007
Coach Hep, you will be greatly missed! He cared deeply for all his teams, his players, and most importantly his family. As a high school football now, I often catch myself teaching many of the same lessons coach used to say to us at MU. His impact was enormous on me and everyone he come in contact with. Thank you Hep for everything...."WE WILL NOT QUIT"
Linda Hartwell (Dylan's mom)
June 24, 2007
Jane & Drew,
So sorry to hear about your beloved. May the God of all comfort, comfort you as only He can.
Donna Copp-Armstrong
June 24, 2007
Dear Hoeppner family;
Coach Hep was very good to my son during his Miami recruiting process back in 2003-04. We thank him for having such a positive effect on my son Branden #66. "HE" was one of the main reasons Branden chose the Redhawks... and when he left ..."Miami" was never the same....He was geniune and a special soul and we're very thankful we could call him "Coach". Our prayers and sympathy are with you... Branden and Donna Armstrong ~
Laurie & Doug Steinbrunner
June 23, 2007
Dear Hoeppner Family:
Mr. Hoeppner's courage just after his surgery was quite an inspiration to my brother, Jeff, an IU Alum and Hall of Fame football player. Jeff has been fighting the battle for nine years.
Coach Hoeppner's fine character will live through his athletes and fans for years to come. May your blessed memories bring you peace and comfort.
With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Laurie and Doug Steinbrunner
Debbi Hertweck
June 23, 2007
Mrs. Hoeppner and Family
We were so sorry to hear about Mr. Hoeppner and wanted to let you know we are thinking of you.
It doesn't seem like that long ago Michelle was in your class at Kramer (she will be a freshman at Miami this year!) and we were going on pre-school outings with your grandson (Stephanie will be in 8th grade).
Take care of yourself.
Debbi, Michelle, Stephanie and Floyd
Marv and Anita Arnold
June 22, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Audrey (Hoeppner) Ruggeberg
June 22, 2007
To the Terry Hoeppner family and to Mom, Phyllis. Words can not convey my heartfelt sympathy to you all at this time. Know that the Lord is with you and Terry is with his Lord.
Ralph Gundy
June 22, 2007
Dear Jane and family:
Most of my memories of Terry are as a youngster, growing up in Woodburn. Terry lived just a few houses from ours. My three brithers and I bracketed Terry in age so we saw Terry often. Jerry coached my Little League team (Cubs) and Terry was a key player for our team. We played many pick-up games at the park, and there were always Hoeppners', Gerbers' and Gundys' on the field.
After he went to Franklin, I didn't see Terry until 2003 when he and Big Ben visited Fort Collins to play Colorado State. The Rams took a walloping that day, but it was great to meet and visit with you (Jane) and to talk with Terry after the game.
Being an IU alum, and trying to defend IU to my Purdue and Penn State colleagues, I was ecstatic with Terry's move to IU. I knew he would re-vitalize the Hoosier program and re-kindle communitee pride in Woodburn and at Woodlan. That spirit endures!
Jane, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God grant you strength during the tough days ahead.
Ralph Gundy and family
Diane Ashbaugh (Gerbers)
June 22, 2007
To the Hoeppner family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Terry was my classmate for 12 years and a very good friend. I will never forget the good times we had. Take comfort from all the good memories of him. My prayers are with your family.
patsy gordon
June 21, 2007
I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.
Helen Rosenberger
June 21, 2007
Hoeppner Family, It was so heart wrenching to hear of Coach Hoeppner 's passing. He made such a positive impact on so many young lives, I hope your family will find comfort in the fact that people from all over the country held him in such high regard. We grieve with your family and say goodbye to a fine man....
Maryrose Beerman
June 21, 2007
Dear Jane, Drew and Family,
We were so sorry to read about Terry. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Ted, Maryrose, Harrison & Maizie
Keith Singleton
June 21, 2007
Mrs. Hoeppner and Family,
Please accept our sincere condolences upon your loss. While I never had the pleasure of meeting Coach Hoeppner, he was obviously a great role model and mentor to the young men he coached, a dedicated family man, and a credit to the schools and communities he served.
He will be sorely missed........
Jennifer (Hutchinson) Mayfield
June 21, 2007
To the Hoeppner Family,
I am so sorry for your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Mary Kracium
June 21, 2007
Jane and family:
Words cannot express how sorry I am for the loss of such a great man. You hold on to all of those memories because you and Coach Hep had so many. You have such an extended family of football players who all hold a special place in their heart for Coach and you. You touched so many lives. The tributes to Coach will go on forever because he was such a fine man. I will never forget all that he and you did for Mark. God Bless you all.
A. Thomas Jr.
June 21, 2007
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Sheila Smith
June 21, 2007
Rest in Peace Terry.
Dick Shenk
June 21, 2007
What a wonderful coach. And, from the many articles over the years I have read, what a great leader and human being! I was able to watch 9 of his games on television while he
was at Miami, all from Central America!
Jay & Renee Hood
June 20, 2007
Mrs. Hoeppner and family~
So sorry to hear about the loss of your husband and father. We just wanted to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
William Edgington
June 20, 2007
Thoughts and prayers go out to Coach Hoeppner's family, friends, players, and fans.
Thanks Coach for putting Miami football back on the map.
Barbara Earhart
June 20, 2007
We are very sorry for your loss.
The world has to go on to replace
a great coach and mentor which will
be almost impossible to do. His
legacy will live in our hearts
forever.
Beth Robinson Marchant
June 20, 2007
Jane and family,
I want to express my deepest sympathy on your loss. Coach Hoeppner was a great man. I truly appreciated his concern when my oldest son, Geoff played at Miami. The day Geoff was careflighted to Cincinnati and you drove me down while Coach Hoepp drove my car down will always remind me of both of your hearts full of concern and compassion. Thanks to you both for the guidance that you shared with my son during his Miami years.
Linda
June 20, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
D.L. ZIMMERMAN
June 20, 2007
Sorry to hear of your loss, my prayers are with you and the family. Rest in peace Terry
Rosemary Wheeler
June 20, 2007
Jane & Family:
We were all so sad to hear of Terry's passing. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers, now and always.
Rosemary, Bric, Jennifer (Sargent), Jonathan and Jeffrey Wheeler
Denver McDaniel
June 20, 2007
Coach Hep will never be forgotten. Nevermind "revitalized"...it was over a century of lifelessness until he showed up. He was inspiration to many. Even those of us who never had the privelege of meeting him loved him nonetheless. Forever greatful and sorrowful. Prayers and sympathy.
Bradley Weismann
June 20, 2007
I will never forget Coach Hep. The amount of passion, love, and excitement he brought to IU, Bloomington, and the state of Indiana is incredible. In his short time at IU I witnessed the revitalization of a program that no one wanted to be a part of. I remember getting the chills at his halftime speech given during the IU/Iowa basketball game. He was a fighter and a believer who will be greatly missed by the IU community. Rest In Peace Coach Hep
Rick, Eve, Travis & Joey Myers
June 20, 2007
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort. We are huge I.U. fans and for the first time in many many years we are excited about the football program. It was Terry's enthusiasm and passion that drew us back to I.U. football. We will continue to support the program to help see his dream job become the power house he had envisioned.
June 20, 2007
You are free now spread your wings and fly>>
Rest in peace TERRY HOEPPNER..
You will be missed and remembered well.
Allan Henson
June 20, 2007
Great Coach, Great Team, Go Big Red. Terry gave them all he had; you will be missed.
M Delasalle
June 20, 2007
To Coach Hoeppner, a GREAT coach and a favorite in Baton Rouge. Coach Hoeppner was a Class Act and had Class Teams. When he came to play LSU he was an immediate favorite visiting Coach. We even cheered his Team on at times. LSU fans will miss you Coach as you spoke kindly, waved to us all and were just a fine example of what coaching is all about. You will be in the hearts of many, not just the ones in Ohio.
Suzanne Brown
June 20, 2007
To all of Terry's family, I want to extend my deepest sympathy to each of you. Knowing so many of the Hoeppners loving closeness with each other, I know each of you are hurting right now, and I am praying for you. The tributes to Terry will be many, and well deserved, may they help to soften this loss in your life. He is at peace and his struggles are over, but his love and committment to all he loved will always be with you. In Sincere Sympathy, Suzanne
Jennifer
June 20, 2007
To the Family,
May God continue to watch over you.
Rocky Festa
June 19, 2007
Coach Hep revitalized the IU Football program. The team was finally giving alumni like me something to cheer about after many losing seasons. Condolences to Coach Hep's family and friends. He was an inspiration to all, and I am grateful for the impact he had and will continue to have on Indiana Football. GO BIG RED!
The Ault Family
June 19, 2007
Our deepest sympathies on the passing of your loved one Terry .. You will be in are thoughts and prayers always
Connie Short
June 19, 2007
Jane and family,
Words cannot express the deep sadness I felt when learning of Terry's passing. May God comfort you during these difficult times.
Michael Adams
June 19, 2007
I have many memories of Terry Hoeppner. I was a student at Marshall University when Terry was a head coach at Miami and the Marshall-Miami rivalry was in full force. I intereviewd him several times while working as a sports writer and really respected what he was able to do at Miami and on the football field. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and Miami University as a whole.
Howard Henderson
June 19, 2007
Although I received my Masters degree more than 30 years before Terry Hoeppner arrived as head coach, his contributions to the status of the university continue to make me proud to be a Miami alum. My sympathy to his family.
Joe Bath
June 19, 2007
Jane, my prayers are with you and your family. Terry has had a great influence on my family.
Bill Fulmer
June 19, 2007
Drew, I'm sorry to hear of your father's passing. You and your family are in my prayers.
June 19, 2007
Thank you for your great leadership and representation of Miami at all times.
Meg White
June 19, 2007
Mrs. Hoeppner - You taught my daughter Emma at Kramer and to this day, we think of you as THE BEST teacher she ever had. Your love and passion for every one of your students was evident. Emma and I enjoyed seeing you and your husband on t.v. during the last few years at I.U. We are thinking of you and praying that God will comfort you and your family.
Alonzo H. Edmonds, Esq.
June 19, 2007
I played for Miami when Hep was still the "D" coordinator, and the defensive players used to say how badly they wished Coach Hep was the head coach. His success is no secret to those who experienced his coaching style. Coach Hep was a players' coach, and that's why players always responded well to his insturction. My prayers go out to the Hoeppner family, and I will alwyas be greatful to him for being a positive contributor to my success as a student athlete at Miami OH.
Brad Weismann
June 19, 2007
Coach Hep was the best thing to ever happen to IU Football. His contributions to the program, school, and city will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathies go out to his family. May he rest in peace.
Shawn Maynes
June 19, 2007
I am truly sorry to hear of your loss. Mr. Hoeppner was a breath of fresh air to the Miami University family during his tenure there.
Judy Broermann
June 19, 2007
Jane and family - Terry was a treasure your just keep on admiring as time passes by.His love for you and family, his attitude, friendlyness, and motivation will not be forgotten by all the people he touched during his life here on earth. Terry was what I all can call a great man and thank you for sharing him with me and Pinky. Jane you are in our prayers and thoughts. Sorry for your loss. Love Judy and Pinky Broermann
Jim Niswonger
June 19, 2007
Drew, I am sorry to hear of your loss. You are a great instructor and friend. Hang in there...
John Cochran
June 19, 2007
Sorry to hear of your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Rhonda and Steve Brown
June 19, 2007
To the Hoeppner Family:
Our condolences..we had the priviledge of golfing and talking with Terry during the Miami University and G101.3 golf outing for 3 years. He was a dynamic man!
We are grateful that we had the opportunity to share a few moments with him.
Tim
June 19, 2007
I had the opportunity to play golf (Wilmington College - Kirk Mee NFL Golf Outing) with Terry the year Big Ben was a senior.
I had the best time with Terry. He loved his job and coaching football.
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