Terry Hoeppner, hired to revive Indiana University’s floundering football program, died yesterday of complications from a brain tumor, just two seasons into a rebuilding program that energized fans. He was 59.

Hoeppner, who had two brain surgeries in 18 months, spent the last four months on medical leave. He died at 6:50 a.m. at Bloomington Hospital with his family at his side, a school spokesman, J.D. Campbell, said.

Officials at a team meeting informed players taking summer classes about their coach’s death and those out of town were called. Receivers coach Billy Lynch, son of interim coach Bill Lynch, described the meeting as tearful.

“You just expect someone that’s as tough and competitive as he is to, no matter the obstacle whether it’s cancer or anything else, show up one day,” said the younger Lynch, who coached with Hoeppner at Miami (Ohio) and followed him to Indiana after the 2004 season. “I was just laughing with the guys, telling them that Terry would probably tell us to suck it up, get going, and defend ‘The Rock’ because that’s who he was.”

It was Hoeppner who added “The Rock” nickname to Memorial Stadium after moving a threeton limestone boulder into the north end zone before his first season with the Hoosiers in 2005.

A native of northeastern Indiana, Hoeppner grew up a Hoosiers fan, attended college at Franklin, near Indianapolis, and coached on the prep level in his home state.

In eight seasons as a head coach, six at Miami (Ohio), Hoeppner was 57-39, and he took Miami to consecutive bowl games in 2003 and 2004.

Even after spending 19 seasons as an assistant and head coach at Miami, Hoeppner still had a fondness for the Hoosiers, and it didn’t take long for the fans to embrace him.

He also was respected by intrastate rival Purdue coach Joe Tiller. Hoeppner’s team lost both games he coached against the Boilermakers.

“I know Hep was a fierce competitor, and he battled an unforgiving disease,” Mr. Tiller said in a statement. “We hope they [his family] find comfort in knowing that he is no longer in pain and is in a much better place.”

Hoeppner is survived by his wife, three children — Amy, Allison, and Drew — and four grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.