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Page 2
"This has been a very special week, a very humbling week and a very rewarding week," said Hoeppner. "Had Joel named me last week, he might have received a lot of flack. I don't think this was an easy choice. He's caught the heat all week. He's made this choice and don't try to sneak up on him because I've got his back from here on out."
Hoeppner has coached the last 13 seasons as an assistant at Miami after a six-year stint as defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Franklin College in Indiana. Under him last season, the RedHawk defense was ranked fourth in the nation in points allowed at 12.9 per game. It was fifth against the pass and 16th in total defense. Hoeppner also served as an assistant head coach under Walker. He was one of 25 candidates considered for the position. Oregon State to stick with turf -- Plans to install naturnal grass at Parker Stadium have been scrapped by the Oregon State. Instead, the school has decided to replace the current, 15-year-old, concrete-like artificial turf with a new carpet that is said to resemble the field at Washington's Husky Stadium. New Beavers' coach Dennis Erickson has publically admitted to preferring artifical playing surface, so he obviously doesn't mind that limited funds at OSU has caused the transition to grass to be delayed at least temporarily. According to the Associated Press, the grass field would cost about $250,000 a year to maintain. The university's $8.2 million budget deficit make such an expenditure impossible at this point in time. Construction is set to begin in April and should be finished before August. This will be the fifth field laid at Parker Stadium. AstroTurf was installed in 1969, 1974 and 1977 before the current All-Pro turf was added in 1984. Oregon State's home opener is set for Sept. 11 against Fresno State. Duke to play FSU in Jacksonville -- Officials at Duke have approved a plan to move the team's Oct. 2 game with Florida State to Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville. The Blue Devils are expected to make about $1 million for selling their home game. "I know as a former college football player that there is nothing like the thrill of playing in a pro stadium," said Duke athletic director Joe Alleva. "This game will allow our kids to experience that next year. The game is also good for the ACC in expanding our presence in the state of Florida and in solidifying our recruiting base in the Jacksonville area."
The copyright of the article Simms Changes Mind, Chooses Texas - Page 2 in NCAA College Football is owned by . Permission to republish Simms Changes Mind, Chooses Texas - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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