Hoeppner releases public statement on health condition

IU football coach Terry Hoeppner issued a statement Wednesday through IU media relations addressing the leave of absence he took before the start of spring practice.\n“We want to thank the many fans and friends who have sent their best wishes and thoughts to us over the past several weeks,” Hoeppner said in the statement. “I continue to receive medical treatment and remain inspired to return to coaching when my health permits.”\nHoeppner left the team in March to attend to personal health matters. The leave was the third the coach has taken since December 2005, when he had surgery to remove a tumor from his brain. He returned for the start of spring practice in 2006 and coached the Hoosiers during the first couple of games of the 2006 season. With the Hoosiers sitting 2-0, Hoeppner left the team again to have some scar tissue removed and was out for two games. While he was gone, the Hoosiers fell to Southern Illinois and Connecticut. Hoeppner came back in time for the Hoosiers’ Big Ten opener against Wisconsin and led them to a 3-5 conference record, including a 31-28 win against then-No. 15 Iowa at Memorial Stadium. \n“I love Indiana University and Indiana football and will make decisions in the best interest of the program, as I have always attempted to do,” Hoeppner said. “I will ask for your continued respect for the privacy of me and my family as I address these matters going forward.”\nThe statement was the first released by Hoeppner since March 18, when it was announced he was taking a leave. Hoeppner stayed updated with his team’s progress through practice films delivered by Bill Lynch, who took over head coaching duties for Hoeppner in spring. The day before the Cream and Crimson game, Hoosier players received an e-mail from Hoeppner telling them about what he had seen in the film. \n“Hep’s health is of the utmost interest and concern to us,” Athletics Director Rick Greenspan said in the statement. “We’ll continue to provide him with all of the support that we can with hopeful anticipation that he’ll get well as quickly as possible.”