Hoeppner looks to reestablish successful football tradition

12-17-2004 -- The last time the Hoosiers had a former Miami of Ohio coach roaming the sidelines, they went to their first Rose Bowl. \nNow, it could be time for a second.\nIU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan announced current Miami of Ohio Redhawks coach Terry Hoeppner as the new Hoosiers head coach Friday.\n"I know what it takes to win here," Hoeppner said. \nFlanked by a long stem rose in a crystal bowl, Hoeppner stood in front of an assembled crowd of supporters and media in the bowels of Memorial Stadium, telling them they can expect success.\n"I will guarantee you this - we are going to build a championship football team," Hoeppner said. \nHoeppner was offered the IU position Thursday night by Greenspan after a 16-day search.\nHoeppner addressed the Miami Redhawks at 11 p.m. Thursday, telling them of his decision to move to Bloomington.\nIU President Adam Herbert said in his introduction of Hoeppner that his appointment "reflects our determination to stretch the spirit of loyal fans of the Indiana Hoosiers."\nHerbert said the search spanned college and NFL head coaches, assistant coaches and coordinators.\nHe said IU "can, must and will reestablish a highly successful football tradition." IU fired coach Gerry DiNardo after a 3-8 mark this season.\nFor the time being, Hoeppner will split his time between Oxford, Ohio and Bloomington. He will coach the Redhawks in the Dec. 28 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. against Iowa State on ESPN. But come Jan. 2, he will be on the ground running.\nHoeppner, 48-23 with six seasons at Miami, said he doesn't know as of Friday who he will take with him from his staff. It depends on if Miami decides to hire his replacement internally, he said.\n"I've got a great young staff," he said. "I will be bringing some guys with me."\nHoeppner stated his goal plain and simple Friday - a trip to the Rose Bowl. But before that, he said he will start small and take the Hoosiers to a bowl game.\nWith the recruiting season winding down, Hoeppner said he knows how important it is to get on the trail. He plans to start recruiting Jan. 2, a hot week, he said. Greenspan has sent a letter to the 15 verbal commitments IU received under former coach DiNardo and said IU will still honor those commitments. Coming from a Mid-American Conference school, Hoeppner said he will not take any of his Miami recruits. \nThe enthusiastic Hoeppner spelled out not only keys to bring wins to Bloomington, but he said he has visions of changing IU football for the better. He listed ideas to reinvigorate a program that has been decimated by losing seasons and coaching changes.\nOne of his first orders of business is to add "The Walk," something he implemented in Ohio. \nThe Walk, he said, consists of the players cutting through the tailgating area two hours before the game starts, as a way to connect the team and the fans. Hoeppner spoke of getting the "Crimson Crew" more involved with IU football, including singing the IU fight song after every game in front of the "Crew."\n"Today is the first day of the rest of our life at Indiana football," he said.\n-- Contact senior writer Josh Weinfuss at jweinfus@indiana.edu.