From UK Coaches Rich Brooks, Dontae Wright

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The following are comments from University of Kentucky head coach Rich Brooks and graduate assistant coach Dontae Wright following the death of Indiana University head coach Terry Hoeppner on Tuesday.

Brooks became acquainted with Hoeppner in 2005, which was Hoeppner’s first season at Indiana and the last year of the UK-IU series. Wright played three seasons (2002-04) for Hoeppner at Miami (Ohio).

“This is a tragedy and my condolences go out to Coach Hoeppner’s family,” Brooks said. “He clearly had the Indiana program going back in the right direction. During our last season up there (in Bloomington), the enthusiasm in the stadium was obvious and they were really embracing what he was doing. He conducted himself and the program in a very classy manner, and this is quite a loss for the coaching profession.”

“Coach Hoeppner was a great person, on and off the field,” Wright said. “He was one of the main reasons I went to Miami. He was a great leader and role model to anyone who wanted to be a coach. He will be deeply missed by the football community and life in general. I send condolences to his wife, Jane, and the family.”