Terry Hoeppner Hometown: Woodburn, Ind. Position: Head Coach

Miami University's "Cradle of Coaches" reputation is well-documented. Throughout Miami history, an impressive group of coaches have strolled the sidelines as either assistant or head coaches. Last year, head coach Terry Hoeppner (pronounced HEP-ner) went a long way in cementing his name along with all the rest, leading Miami to a No. 10 national ranking, the nation's longest winning streak, a 13-1 record and Mid-American Conference and GMAC Bowl Championships.

In terms of coaching longevity, no individual in Miami history can match the dedication and loyalty of Hoeppner. Now in his sixth season as the RedHawk head mentor, Hoeppner is in his 19th year with Miami. No other football coach has spent that amount of time in Oxford.

"Miami is an outstanding University with a tradition-rich football program," says Hoeppner, who has guided the RedHawks to a 40-20 record in five seasons. "At my first press conference I said that earning this head coaching position, where legends abound, would mean a great deal to me, and it certainly has. "My goal remains the same: to win Mid-American Conference Championships. I have been a part of Miami's last two conference championship teams (in 1986 and 2003). With the quality of football like you saw last year the challenge is even greater.

"But that is the mission of our 105 players, our coaching staff and the individuals that work with our program on a regular basis. We will not be satisfied until we earn another berth in the MAC Championship game, and win it."

After spending 13 years as a Miami assistant coach, Hoeppner was tabbed the RedHawks' 31st head football mentor on January 27, 1999. He succeeded Randy Walker, the school's winningest coach, who left for the head coaching position at Northwestern University.

A 1969 graduate of Franklin (Ind.) College, Hoeppner made his debut as a collegiate head coach after working four years as an assistant (1986-89) under former Miami mentor Tim Rose and nine under Walker. Just prior to his appointment as head coach, Hoeppner served as the RedHawks' assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.

Coincidentally, Hoeppner began his head coaching career by facing his former boss in the 1999 opener at Northwestern. Hoeppner and the RedHawks came out on top, defeating Walker and the Wildcats, 28-3.

Prior to arriving in Oxford, Hoeppner spent six years as the defensive coordinator at his alma mater. Two of his three stints as a prep head coach were at East Noble High School in Kendallville, Ind. (1979) and at Mullins High School in Mullins, S.C. (1976-79). Hoeppner also spent two years as an assistant prep coach in Alabama (1974-75) after starting his career as head coach at Eastbrook High School (1970-72) in Marion, Ind.

Since his arrival at Miami, Hoeppner's responsibilities have grown, and not coincidentally, the RedHawk football program has savored its most success in recent years. He began his Miami tenure coaching linebackers (1986) before starting an eight-year run as the defensive back coach. In 1993, Miami added the assistant head coach title to Hoeppner's resume, and then in 1995, he was awarded the defensive coordinator position.

In his final four years (1995-98) as the RedHawks' defensive coordinator, Miami set the standard for defense in the Mid-American Conference. Three of those four years, the RedHawks ranked No. 1 in total defense. Miami also led the MAC in pass efficiency defense and scoring defense.

Nationally, Miami's 1998 club ranked fourth in scoring defense, fifth in pass-efficiency defense and 16th in total defense. The RedHawks set a single-season school mark of 377 interception return yards and five interception returns for touchdowns. In 1995, Miami ranked first nationally in pass defense and second in total defense.

Individually, Hoeppner has developed some of the Mid-American Conference's top talent, including last year's No. 11 pick in the National Football League Draft and all-America quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Other all-America and all-MAC players to play for Miami during Hoeppner's run as a defensive back coach and defensive coordinator include: all-America defensive back Ron Carpenter, two-time first-team all-MAC defensive back Sheldon White, three-time first-team all-MAC linebacker Dee Osborne, 1995 MAC Defensive Player of the Year Johnnie Williams, two-time first-team all-MAC defensive back Jamie Taylor, two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year and 1998 all-American JoJuan Armour, 1998 first-team all-MAC defensive back Jay Baker and 1999 MAC Defensive Player of the Year and 1998 all-America linebacker Dustin Cohen.

Hoeppner, who turns 57 in August, was invited to training camp with the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers organizations after his college career but played his professional career for the WFL's Detroit Wheels and Charlotte Hornets.

A native of Woodburn, Ind., Hoeppner earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Franklin. He minored in biology. In 1983, Hoeppner received a master's degree in education from Butler.

He and his wife Jane have three children Amy Fox (husband Steve), Allison four grandchildren Tucker and Spencer Fox and Tate and Quinn Balcam.

Year-by-Year

Coaching Experience

Personal
Born: August 19, 1947 (57 years old)
Birthplace: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Wife: Jane
Children: Amy, Allison and Drew
Grandchildren: Tucker and Spencer Fox and Tate and Quinn Balcam.

Education
High School: Woodlan (Ind.) HS
College: Franklin College, 1969(physical education)
Masters: Franklin College, 1983(education)

Notes of Interest

• 2003 Finalist for Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach of the Year
• Miami's record with Hoeppner as an assistant coach: 74-63-7
• Miami's record with Hoeppner as assistant head coach: 42-22-2
• Miami's record with Hoeppner as defensive coordinator: 32-11-1
• In 1986, Hoeppner's first season with Miami, the football team captured the Mid-American Conference Championship, the school's last league title.
• Two defensive starters from Miami's 1998 team, linebacker JoJuan Armour and strong safety Paris Johnson, were drafted by the NFL's Oakland Raiders and Arizona Cardinals, respectively.

Hoeppner vs. All Opponents

Hoeppner Record Breakdown