The Indianapolis Star is reporting that IU football coach Terry Hoeppner while he attends to “personal heath matters.”

IU’s Media Relations people are being good and vague, as media relations people are ought to do but I think most people can assume that it’s something to do with the brain surgery he had last year.

For whatever reason, this news is hitting me kind of hard. And I suspect that anyone who closely follows (or in Terry Hutchens case, covers) Indiana athletics.

I’m a fan of all sports, especially college football but I am, and will always be, a Hoosier.

I guess I’m not horribly surprised by the news that Hep is taking some time off to make sure his health is in order. I spoke with Coach for a story I did on the National Championship game in January and, having heard him speak before, he seemed tired and rundown. In spite of that, he was still funny and incredibly sharp and his passion and love for the game of football is palpable when you talk to him. You root for a guy like Coach Hep because he’s truly one of the good guys.

IU football has been a turd. During my four years there, we had some gems — beating Oregon in Eugene during DiNardo’s last year, beating Minnesota on what had to be the windiest day ever in Bloomington and last year, Hep’s Hoosiers upset Iowa and came 1 win away from being bowl eligible for the first time in over a decade.

If anyone can turn this program around.. it’s Coach Hep and if anyone deserves our thoughts and our prayers right now.. it’s Coach Hep.