Terry Hoeppner Terry Hoeppner ( August 19 , 1947 – June 19 , 2007 ) was an American college football coach who served as head coach of the Miami RedHawks from 1999 to 2004 and the Indiana Hoosiers from 2005 to 2006 . Shortly after announcing that he would be on medical leave for the 2007 season , he died of brain cancer . Hoeppner was a 1969 graduate of Franklin College , where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta international fraternity . He owned a 57 – 39 overall record as a collegiate head coach . He is a member of the Indiana Football Hall of Fame . Family . Terry and Jane Hoeppner had three children : Drew Hoeppner , Amy Fox and Allison Hoeppner . Professional career . Hoeppner played for the Detroit Wheels and the Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League for one season each . He was also invited to training camps for the NFL ' s St . Louis Cardinals and Green Bay Packers , but never made either active roster . High school coach . Terry was a head coach of Eastbrook High School in Marion , Indiana ( 1970 – 1972 ) , Pinson Valley High School in Pinson , Alabama ( 1973 - 1976 ) , Mullins High School in Mullins , South Carolina ( 1976 – 1978 ) and East Noble High School in Kendallville , Indiana ( 1979 ) . College assistant coach . Hoeppner ' s first job as an assistant coach was at his alma mater , Franklin College , where he served as defensive coordinator . He spent six years there before moving to Miami University as a linebacker coach in 1986 . After 12 years , Hoeppner worked his way up to assistant head coach and defensive coordinator . He was also able to retain his positions after head coach Tim Rose was replaced prior to the 1990 season by the late Randy Walker . Hoeppner was instrumental in the development of several NFL players , including JoJuan Armour , Dustin Cohen , and Sheldon White . College head coach . Miami University . After spending 13 years as an assistant at Miami , Hoeppner became the RedHawks ' 31st head coach in 1999 . He succeeded Walker , who was named head coach at Northwestern . Hoeppner ' s first game at Miami was against Walker and the Wildcats , which resulted in a 28 – 3 Miami victory . Despite the win , his first year was considered by some to be a disappointment . The RedHawks were coming off a 10 – 1 season , and returned several starters including record - breaking running back Travis Prentice , but were only able to post a 7 – 4 record . The dropoff was attributed in part to Hoeppner ' s installation of an open passing attack , rather than the running game Walker had used in the past . The change ended up paying dividends later , as Miami earned a 48 – 25 overall record under Hoeppner and finished among the top three in the Mid - American Conference East in each of his six years at the helm . While at Miami , Hoeppner recruited and signed Ben Roethlisberger by promising to play him at quarterback , whereas other programs were recruiting Roethlisberger as a wide receiver or a tight end . Roethlisberger went on to achieve great success in the NFL as quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers . Hoeppner ' s best season was 2003 when Miami , quarterbacked by Roethlisberger , went 13 – 1 and finished # 10 in the final AP Poll . . Indiana . During his first year as head coach at Indiana University , Hoeppner tried to resurrect life into the program through his campaign entitled " Coach Hoeppner wants you . " Hoeppner and the Hoosiers began the season 4 – 1 before losing their last six games . After the season , Hoeppner was diagnosed with a brain tumor The following year , the Hoosiers once again started strong , but eventually fell one game short of Hoeppner ' s goal of reaching a college bowl berth . His oft quoted mantra was " Play 13 . " In 2007 , the inspired Hoosiers succeeded in Hoeppner ' s goal and became eligible to participate in the Insight Bowl . In September 2006 , Hoeppner required additional brain surgery , causing him to miss two weeks of the regular season . He returned to the team to coach against Wisconsin . Death . On March 18 , 2007 , it was revealed that he would sit out the 2007 spring practices due to health reasons . IU announced in June 2007 that Hoeppner would be on a medical leave of absence for the entire 2007 season and that assistant coach Bill Lynch would serve as head coach . Shortly after the announcement , Hoeppner died from complications from his brain cancer .