Football is a game of control, from the execution on the field to the emotions off the field. But as the Indiana Hoosiers learned last season, the game’s hardest challenges are out of their control.
On paper, the most difficult scenario the Hoosiers faced was falling one win short of their first bowl bid since 1993. But in life, it was losing the face of their football team.
When Randy Walker’s former assistant, Terry Hoeppner, attended Walker’s funeral in July 2006, his first words to the Wildcats were tough.
“His first quote up there was quit feeling sorry for yourselves,” Northwestern linebacker Adam Kadela said. “He took that directly from coach Walker. You have to pretend they’re right next to you and that they’re here guiding you.”
Almost a year later, Hoeppner lost an 18-month battle with brain cancer. Now, his players have begun to carry his words.
“We’ve dealt with it as best as we can and I think we did a good job,” Indiana cornerback Tracy Porter said. “Stepping on the field that first time without him was hard and emotional at the same time. But we’re looking to honor him and looking to do good things.”
The reigns of the team now belong to Bill Lynch, a man whose respect for Hoeppner is unparalleled. Their relationship spanned 30-plus years, including four head-to-head matchups as coaches of Ball State and Miami (Ohio), respectively, from 1999 to 2002.
But when Hoeppner received the IU job in 2005, he gave a call to his former rival to be his offensive coordinator. It was an easy choice for Lynch.
“I never could beat him so I might as well join him,” Lynch said. “I say that with the great respect I had for Terry. I always felt like he did things the right way.”
Lynch entered his first full season at Indiana at a time he described as the most fortunate of unfortunate situations. His offense returned nine of twelve starters and two of the most explosive playmakers in the conference. Two time all-Big Ten wideout James Hardy has scored 20 touchdowns in his first two college seasons, while running back Marcus Thigpen led the nation last season with a 30.1 average on kickoff returns.
“We feel like explosive plays have to be a big part of our attack,” Lynch said. “We have great speed. Having the ability to make those plays is the key to our success.”
In the most trying of times, the players have mirrored Lynch’s calm, cool demeanor in addressing the tragic situation. Almost every interview Lynch has faced since June brought a question of the team’s progress in dealing with the loss of Hoeppner.
But Porter said his new coach has continued to foster the team’s most important memory of their former coach – his strides toward establishing a winning football program.
“Since I’ve been here, Hoosier football has done a whole 360,” Porter said. “The state of Indiana is excited about this team more than ever before. We’re excited to step on the field and make our fans happy.”
Entering 2006, nobody expected Indiana to come close to the five wins they took home last year A season later, the Hoosiers are bowl-eligible for the first time since 1994.
While there was no book for the Hoosiers on dealing with the loss of Hoeppner, Lynch confirmed that the situation has done nothing but strengthen Indiana’s dedication to even higher expectations this season.
“We’re on the right track, I really believe that,” Lynch said. “We’re becoming a good competitive team, not a fluke team. We’re not searching for answers or a system, and good teams that continue to build have those things in place.”
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