June 19, 200719 yr ESPN: Indiana football coach Hoeppner dies of complications from brain tumor ESPN.com news services INDIANAPOLIS -- Indiana football coach Terry Hoeppner died Tuesday of complications from a brain tumor, a university spokesman said. He was 59. Terry Hoeppner Hoeppner Hoeppner, who had two brain surgeries in the past 18 months, missed nearly four months on medical leave. He died at 6:50 a.m. at Bloomington Hospital, said J.D. Campbell, the school's sports information director. "Coach died due to complications from the brain tumor for which he had been treated surgically and therapeutically over the past 18 months, " Indiana University team physician Dr. Admin Rink said. "His family was at his side." Late last week, the school said assistant Bill Lynch would replace him as coach for the 2007 season. Hoeppner, who went 9-14 in two seasons as Indiana's coach, had taken three medical leaves since December 2005. He hadn't been seen publicly since late February. Hoeppner left the team temporarily three times in 15 months starting in December 2005 when doctors removed a tumor from his right temple a year after athletic director Rick Greenspan hired Hoeppner. His wife, Jane, said in a statement announcing Lynch's hiring that her husband was undergoing radiation and chemotherapy treatments. He had been hospitalized last week, but was expected to return home Friday. In September, a CT scan revealed another growth in the same area of Hoeppner's brain. When doctors operated a second time, Hoeppner left the team -- an absence expected to last two weeks that lasted through spring practice. "Terry's fight was courageous and will serve as an inspiration to those who have known him," IU athletics director Rick Greenspan said. "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." Hoeppner is survived by his wife, three children -- Amy, Allison and Drew -- and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Sad news, RIP.
June 19, 200719 yr Very sad, I knew he wasn't doing that well but I didn't know it was this bad. Seemed like a great guy from what I heard of him after last year's tOSU game and other stuff. Big 10 has lost a head football coach in back to back years. RIP.
June 19, 200719 yr My heart just completely sank reading the subject title... absolutely tragic news. RIP.. a very good man.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.