INDIANAPOLIS - Terry Hoeppner spent two years adding talent, creating excitement and changing the perception of Indiana University football.
It's up to Bill Lynch, a former Ball State University coach, and Hoeppner's players to reach a bowl game and finish the job.
Lynch promised to use Hoeppner's words as this year's inspiration, urging his team to play hard, play smart, play with passion and, of course, never quit - just like Hoeppner would have said if he was healthy enough to give that pep talk.
"Our mission is to carry on the way Terry wants," Lynch said. "Our kids have been very resilient through all of this, and I think we've grown together through this."
After missing nearly four months on his third medical leave since December 2005 and being admitted to the hospital again this week, Hoeppner won't get that opportunity this season. Instead, he'll continue to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatments to recuperate from what athletic director Rick Greenspan implied was brain cancer.
Lynch was Hoeppner's offensive coordinator since 2005. Prior to joining the Hoosiers, Lynch coached Ball State from 1995-2002, compiling a 37-54 record and one bowl game appearance. Lynch is also the father of former Cardinal quarterback Joey Lynch.
For Greenspan, the delicate decision came down to balancing stability and hope.
By naming Lynch the interim coach now, the Hoosiers know who their leader will be in 2007. By keeping Hoeppner on medical leave, they can also pray he returns to the sideline in 2008.
"Everybody would have liked to have had Hep back as coach," Ferguson said. "But Bill has had a lot of experience. He's been a head coach, he's got experience. In any position of leadership, you need someone who can step in, and I think Bill is a guy who can step in."
Offensive lineman Charlie Emerson and star receiver James Hardy issued statements expressing concern for Hoeppner, while asking teammates to focus on this season. Players were unavailable for interviews, and Lynch said the news hit them hard when informed Friday morning.
Many, including Hardy, have built close personal relationships with Hoeppner and had hoped he could return this fall.
But the consensus opinion is the move should not impede Indiana's performance.
"I think they're all very competitive," Ferguson said. "They'll step up and pull together. I think they will have a good season."
Indiana's non-conference schedule has three games against Mid-American Conference teams, including Ball State Nov. 3, and Division I-AA Indiana State. The Hoosiers also have two home games against Big Ten teams the University of Minnesota and University of Illinois and don't have to play Ohio State University or the University of Michigan.
Winning those six would make them bowl eligible and give Hoeppner his biggest achievement.
And that's how Lynch intends to frame it.
"I'm very confident we can get ourselves ready when we report [Aug. 4]," Lynch said. "We're going to do everything we can to carry this out and keep using the vision Terry had for this football team."
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