Indiana University Athletics
Head Coach Terry Hoeppner's Weekly Press Conference
11/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 15, 2005
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana head coach Terry Hoeppner met with the media Tuesday, Nov. 15, for his weekly press conference.
Weekly Injury Report:
"Well, I've been feeling better. I was in early and worked out this morning. I feel pretty good right now. How are you feeling? The good news is, so are James Hardy and Russ Richardson. Dean has some technical term for the fact that they are going to practice today to their tolerance, or to their limits. We are anticipating having both of them. In NFL terminology, they are probable for this weekend."
On Terry Cole's passing:
"I knew of him from being a fan. Terry Cole and Coach Pont had a really close relationship and maintained it over the years. I met Terry for the first time at a golf outing with Coach Pont. I saw him several times after that. He was always coming to Ohio to play in a golf outing or just play with Coach Pont. As Coach Pont would say, T.C. was for sure one of his guys. It was an emotional time for those players that played with him back in the 60s. I have had a number of guys come in and tell me that not only as a player, but also as a person, his presence in the huddle was one of those things that you as a coach want. You want that leader on the field, that when things aren't going great, that guy gives everyone confidence. That was Terry Cole. I don't know that I ever saw him without a smile. The last time I probably saw him was late in the summer. He was at a football foundation function that I spoke at in the Colts complex. He was there and he was just this upbeat person. He was a guy who made you feel good being around him. To honor his memory, I showed the players a tape on Sunday. I had Harold Mauro talk to them not only about the significance of the Bucket, but to talk about Terry Cole. We showed them a tape that was about the Bucket Game. It obviously had some Terry Cole highlights on it. We are going to where his number 48 in white outlined in black on our helmets on Saturday to honor his memory."
On participating in his first Bucket game as a native Hoosier:
"I get emotional just thinking about it. I know I am not going to be able to sleep Friday night. I didn't sleep last night. Ask the Associate Head Coach (wife Jane). I kept waking her up. I spoke at the Old Oaken Bucket luncheon in Indianapolis yesterday. I didn't feel adequate. I shouldn't be speaking at this luncheon. All I have done is observe it as a fan. I was involved in a rivalry at Miami for 19 years with UC. That was unique. Rivalry games are great. A season unto themselves. Then, you add the fact it is the last game and is a conference game. It is always a meaningful game. Purdue is a talented football team regardless of their record. I go way back with Purdue also. I worked their camp. I have been on their sideline for games. I was on their sideline with a coach pass for the Purdue/Iowa game one year. Ronnie Harmon was playing for Iowa and I remember him running by me on the sideline. This one is special. I am really excited about it. I don't want to overlook anything to make sure our young guys are aware of the significance of the game. That is why we showed the tape. That is why I have Jim Muehling coming in to speak today. I had Harold speak to the team Sunday. Muehling is today. Coach Mallory is tomorrow. Mark Deal will be on Thursday and Coach Pont will be on Friday. I think all of those guys will have a passion for this game. They will convey that to the players. I am excited. I can't play. I'm looking forward to it."
On how big the game is in the recruiting process:
"I don't know. What we are trying to do right now is just gain credibility. I think we have accomplished that to a degree. Obviously, we'll see in February, but with the commitments that we have, there are already people that we are pretty excited about saying that they want to be here and be part of this program. Right now, any conference win, but especially this win, we are not going to hide the Bucket if we've got it. I guarantee you that. It is going to be prominently displayed. It probably will have depending on the individual. If, in fact, they are trying to decided between Purdue and Indiana. We'll see. We are going to have a lot of high school players at this game, I know that. We are having a junior day, so we are inviting a lot of juniors."
On the Bucket Game:
"I am trying to learn as much about it as I can. Trying to learn all of the nuances and the little asides as well as the stories over the years. I am going to talk to the team about it, so I want to make sure I have as much knowledge about it. That is what I have been doing. I have been researching and reading up. There is a book called `The Rivalry' and Bob Arnold gave me a copy. The first college football game I ever saw was at Ross-Ade Stadium. Jim Plunkett was playing for Stanford. Ron DiGravio was quarterback for Purdue. That was my first college football game I ever saw. I fell in love with college football."
On what he has done in practice to get Blake Powers back to his early-season form:
"That is a good question. It is something we have talked about, because it is easy to look out there and say that pass is incomplete and Blake Powers didn't complete that pass. There are so many other elements to the passing game. Did the guy run the right route? Was he supposed to turn in instead of out? Was he at the right depth? Was the protection sound to give him enough time? Sometimes, it is not a matter of just not getting sacked. It is a matter of not getting pressured so that you can step up and deliver the ball on time. I time every throw we make to give the quarterbacks a sense of that clock and to develop that clock in their head. They have gotten better since spring when I started doing it. I quiz them regularly. What was that? We made a big deal about getting rid of the ball against Ohio State, but we make a big deal about getting rid of the ball every week. He'll say `2.68', and I'll say `Close, 2.72.' They do have an idea and that clock has to be going in their head. If you would have seen him throw on Thursday, you would have said, `Wow. Blake is going to have a great game on Saturday.' We call it Perfect Thursday. We want every ball that we throw on offense caught. I was reading about John Elway and it was a thing he did two days before the game in the last full practice. He wanted every ball to be completed. That challenged the receivers to run the right routes and catch the ball. It also challenged him. It becomes a concentration thing. The defense is less aggressive on those days, they are not trying to break it up, but they are positioning themselves and you are just trying to execute it. That became a big deal for Ben Roethlisberger. It almost became if I don't, this isn't a good sign. Most Thursdays, he would. Last Thursday, Blake did. Perfect Thursday. It hasn't always been like that because we are still a work in progress. Hardy wasn't there and some other guys. We felt pretty good about our passing game going into the game. We'll keep working at it. I know no one will work harder this week than Blake Powers. There are some technical things we can help him with. You analyze why and try to fix it."
On overall impressions about Purdue:
"I have had a history with their offense. I have admired it from afar and have studied it. I actually had their offensive coordinator over to Miami to clinic us on aspects of their offense. So, the offense has changed. They have added that element of the option. Curtis Painter seems to have a feel for it. That is a great challenge. You can't eliminate a receiver. Jerod Void is running the ball well. Dorien Bryant is the guy. Davis is running the little whip route. That is a big target. They throw-and-catch really well because that is what they have been doing for years. Now, with the option element, it tends to keep defenses off balance. It is hard to zero in on any one thing. Defensively, that was supposed to be the key this year with 11 starters returning. Brock Spack has done a great job over the years. They appear to be back in synch. They rush upfield. The d-line comes off the ball about as hard as anybody. It is hard to find any weaknesses. You look at how they are playing now, and you have to go back to early games to see why they weren't winning games back then. I remember watching the Wisconsin game. We played earlier and I got home early enough to see most of that game. I think Wisconsin was playing very well at the time too. How you match up with those teams between the lines, a lot of times that has an affect. Obviously, injuries contribute. Their punter was co-special teams player of the week. They have a lot of fifth-year seniors. There are a lot of things you can look at and I am reminded of General MacArthur's statement that you never take counsel of your fears. I look at that team and say wow. I don't care what their record is, I look at them and they are a fine football team."
On whether a Bucket Game win would salvage not playing in a bowl for the seniors:
"It was really tough in the locker room after the game last week. When the reality that we aren't going to reach the goal that we as a group came together and put out in front of us all year. It was difficult. It is almost good for us that we have a game of the significance of the Bucket Game. I don't know that it will salvage it, but it will be part of their legacy if they can get the Bucket back. I know it would be very rewarding for them. Some solace at least, for not getting our ultimate goal this year."
On whether he is concerned about the recent criticism of President Adam Herbert:
"I really have not had much chance to keep up with it. To tell you the truth, I didn't read the paper this morning. Someone said there was an article this morning about it. All I know is that I got an e-mail from him yesterday and I replied. I appreciate what he has done for us and what he continues to do for us. Dr. Herbert as well as Rick Greenspan. Rick and I talk a lot. He is a confidant. He said it best in this room however many days ago that was. He was looking for a partner and that is how I view him. I truly feel like I can confide anything in him. Good, bad or indifferent. He has the perfect temperament for IU. The coaches who have been here for a long time can attest to it. I experienced this at Miami. We went through some athletics directors where their strengths fit our needs at that time. I like what Rick is about. From my perspective, he is not only good for the football program, but also the entire athletics program. I feel very good about the leadership. That is why I have said it often. The fact that both of them on a regular basis talk to me and let me know that they are behind us. That is important."
On the reception he gets from the public:
"I'll tell you what. We walk into the Colorado Steakhouse last night for the Don Fischer Show. The reception we got there was great. Imagine what it will be like when we start winning. It is humbling to know that people care and that they are supporting us. Are there some people that are frustrated, upset and jumping off the bandwagon? Probably. For whatever reason, they haven't e-mailed, written or called me."
Closing comment to the media:
"I'll tell you this. I really appreciate the professionalism that you all have approached me with all year. Hopefully, we have cooperated with you as a team, as coaches and as players. I enjoy it. I truly do. I enjoy being around you guys and talking with you. I don't always read what you write, but I try. I really do. You learn a lot from things. Sometimes, there is a perspective we don't see. That is why I try and watch televised games that we have, because there is Jimmy Dykes or other announcers where you find out something. `Really? I didn't know that.' Where something is going on with an opponent, or their perspective on you as a team. I try and read the newspapers and stay abreast."
