Hoosiers invade Chicago for Big Ten Media Day Blitz

CHICAGO -- IU football coach Terry Hoeppner has a lot of sayings. He has one on a sign in his office. 'Recruit 'em every day,' the sign reads. No, not high school prospects or potential players, but fans. And since Hoeppner took his self-proclaimed dream job Dec. 17, 2004, he has done just that, attending more than 50 official IU functions and increasing season ticket sales at a record pace. \nNow Hoeppner gets the chance Monday to do what Athletics \nDirector Rick Greenspan hired him to do -- coach football. And Hoeppner could not be more excited as he and seniors Adam Hines, John Panozzo and Chris Taylor met up with a throng of local and national media for Big Ten Media Day in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency Hotel Monday and Tuesday. \n"It starts with the players. I told them from day one that they needed to walk, talk and think like champions in everything they do," Hoeppner said. "They are living up to that approach, and with the tremendous support that we have received from our fans, we'll be ready to go."\nBut even thinking like champions is difficult at a school which hasn't donned a Big Ten crown since the Lyndon B. Johnson administration. \nMany more of Hoeppner's catch phrases came out during the two day event. \n"If you're ignorant of history, then you are destined to repeat it," he said. "But I'm not ignorant of our program's recent history. If you think you can or you think you can't, you're right. And I truly believe we can be a successful program." \nHoeppner is not alone in the belief IU can get to a bowl. His players have bought into the system, according to senior leaders, Taylor and Panozzo. Taylor said the biggest change from last year is summed up in one word -- excitement.\n"The whole state of Indiana is excited about football now," Taylor said. "Coach Hoeppner has promoted the program so well. It's a great feeling to have a coach that's behind you and we're going to win for him."\nOpposing coaches feel the vibe too.\n"(Hoeppner) did a great job at Miami (Ohio) after my departure," said Northwestern coach and long-time friend Randy Walker. "I think his opportunity at Indiana is going to be marked with a lot of excitement. He's a great football coach, and he's going to do a great job there."\nHoeppner has a book, but it is for inspiration rather than new sayings. 'Barry's Badgers: The Road to the Roses,' chronicles the turnaround of the Wisconsin program under coach Barry Alvarez. Hoeppner said he thinks he can do the same at IU, and more importantly, the Wisconsin legend agrees.\n"I don't know Terry that well," Alvarez admitted. "But if I can do it, he can."\nAlvarez, who is retiring as the Badgers' after this season, went 1-10 in his first season at the helm of a then futile Wisconsin program. But just three years later, the Badgers were in the Rose Bowl, and won. \nHoeppner compiled a 48-25 record in six seasons at Miami University of Ohio, and said he's ecstatic to be a part of what he and many other coaches call the "toughest conference in the nation."\nEarlier this week, Hoeppner recalled continually pestering former Miami Athletics Director Joel Maturi to get Miami into the Big Ten.\n"This is the greatest conference in the country," Hoeppner said. "I've always admired it and tried to model my programs after Big Ten teams."\nOf course, Hoeppner followed up with another saying.\n"People want to know what's really realistic. I don't know," he said. "I'm not going to put limits on this team. You've got to play them one at a time, and there's a reason that's an old football adage -- because it's true."\nThe Hoosiers begin that adage with fall practice beginning Monday and the season opener Sept. 2 on the road against Central Michigan -- a game Hoeppner calls "the biggest game of the week"