On April 15, 2025, the Dugger, Indiana, and the broader football community lost a beloved figure, Danny Tieken, who passed away at home due to heart disease, surrounded by his loving wife, Nikki, and their children.
The news of Danny Tieken’s death sent sorrow through the communities he touched over his 40-year coaching career.
Despite battling serious health challenges for years, Danny’s passion for football and dedication to his players, students, and family never wavered.
Danny Tieken Was Shaped By The Close-Knit Communities Of His Hometown, Fort Branch, Indiana
He attended Fort Branch High School, where he played football for the Fort Branch Twigs in the 1960s under Coach Jack Jewell’s guidance.
Those early years on the field sparked a lifelong love for the game.
After high school, Danny pursued higher education, studying at Vincennes University and the University of Southern Indiana (USI), where he earned a degree in English in 1984.
He later completed a Master’s in Education at Indiana Wesleyan University in 1985.
From Fort Branch to Dugger, where he and Nikki made their home, he poured his heart into the places and people around him.
His journey took him across the state, where he coached and taught at schools such as Evansville Mater Dei, Union Dugger, Bloomington North, Eastern Greene, and, most recently, North Central.
Danny Tieken’s coaching career began in 1984 when Frank Will, head coach at Evansville Mater Dei, gave him his first job.
That opportunity marked the start of a remarkable 40-year journey in football.
Over the decades, Danny worked with some of the best in the game, including Jim Kasmerick, who was the head coach at New Albany from 1984 to 1995.
Danny spent seven seasons under Kasmerick, learning the intricacies of offensive strategy that would define his coaching style.
He served as the first head coach at Gibson Southern and later led Union Dugger as head coach.
After a heart attack in 2015 forced him to retire from teaching, Danny’s love for football couldn’t keep him away.
He joined Bloomington North as offensive coordinator for eight seasons and later worked with Eastern Greene under Coach Travis Paridaen.
In 2019, he found a new home at North Central High School, where he served as an assistant coach and offensive analyst.
He drove 90 minutes from Sullivan County to work with the Huskies’ tight ends and slot receivers.
Danny’s dedication was recognized in June 2024 when he was inducted into the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The following night, he coached the Gold team to victory in the association’s All-Star Game, a fitting tribute to his legacy.
Danny’s Health Declined For Years, Worsening Significantly In September 2024 Before His Passing
He was in and out of the hospital frequently, as his wife, Nikki, shared in heartfelt social media updates.
Despite the challenges, Danny and Nikki remained hopeful. On March 19, 2025, Nikki posted an optimistic update:
She noted that Danny had undergone a stent procedure, and they prayed it would mark the end of his hospital stays. Tragically, just a month later, Danny’s heart gave out.
Throughout his health battles, Nikki was his rock.
She devoted herself to caring for Danny and their home, supporting his dream of continuing to coach even as his health declined.
Their love and partnership showed how strong they were as a couple.
Before Nikki, he was married to Mindy Hoover for 27 years. Together, they had three sons and a daughter.
Though their marriage ended in divorce, Mindy remembered Danny’s passing with grace:
She recognized Danny’s influence, saying he “touched many hearts during his life” but also left “wounds that could never be healed” for their family.
Danny’s influence as a coach and mentor was undeniable despite these challenges.
Former players and colleagues flooded social media with tributes after his passing. One former athlete from Mitchell High School, where Danny coached in the 1990s, wrote:
“In 1990 Coach Danny Tieken held a meeting at Mitchell High School for all prospective football athletes. He talked about vision and building a program.. More importantly, he talked about carving people into success. Every year I played for Coach Tieken our team became better in the wins column and the character column. He even talked me into wrestling to become a better football player and develop self-discipline. I owe a lot to this man and his family for their many sacrifices. Love you coach and family.”
Via Facebook
Another tribute came from a parent whose son, Brenden Johnson, played under Danny:
“You could not be around Coach Tieken without feeling how incredibly amazing he was.
Via Facebook
He loved EVERY SINGLE one of his players & coaching partners. He never saw me and didn’t ask about the cheerleaders and Brendens younger brothers…even gave Jaxsen a football helmet at equipment hand out one year when he was so little. The thing literally bobbled around on his head. He drove miles and miles to always be there for his players.
Brenden Johnson is a better young man for having Coach Danny Tieken in his life. Prayers for all the communities he touched and ALL the love {{hugs}} and prayers to his family.”
These stories paint a picture of a man who went beyond the playbook, investing in the lives of those he coached.
Danny’s Passing Left His Wife, Nikki, Facing Not Only Emotional Grief But Also Financial Strain
The couple’s focus on Danny’s health and coaching career limited their ability to plan for the future.
A GoFundMe campaign with a goal of $14,000 was launched to help cover burial expenses and support Nikki in maintaining their home.
Over $3,000 has been raised, with donations continuing to pour in from the communities Danny touched.
The outpouring of support reflects Danny’s profound impact. From Fort Branch to Dugger, from the football field to the classroom, he was a man who gave selflessly.
His induction into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame and the Wabash Valley Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame are proof of his legacy, but it’s the personal stories of players he mentored, colleagues he inspired, and communities he uplifted that truly define his life.
In memory of Danny Tieken, the Dugger Youth League has organized a ceremony at the Dugger Youth League Diamond on Friday, April 18, 2025, at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The event is open to everyone wishing to pray for Danny and his family. It’s a chance for the community to celebrate a man who thrived on serving others through a perfectly called play, a word of encouragement, or a simple act of kindness.
As one former player said, “Go rest high on that mountain, coach, and if I make it up there with you, save me a spot with the linebackers.”
Right now, Indiana’s football fields are quieter, but the spirit of Coach Tieken’s passion and love will stay with us for years to come.
