Indiana football defensive coordinator Bryant Haines was named the Broyles Award winner on Thursday night during a ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Haines was a finalist for the award given out to college football’s top assistant coach alongside Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood.
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He’s the first Indiana assistant coach to win the prize that celebrated its 30th anniversary this season.
More: Why the architect of Indiana football’s defense was destined for this moment
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) heads in during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates with Amare Ferrell (1) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jonathan Brady (0) makes a long return during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Hoosier the Bison decends to the field before the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mikail Kamara (6) and Aiden Fisher (4) celebrate a sack of Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom (2) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a touchdown to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Alberto Mendoza (16) and Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrate Alberto’s touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kellan Wyatt (13) celebrates his tackle of Kennesaw State’s Alexander Diggs (3) for a loss during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Roman Hemby (1) )before the start of the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Amari Kamara (44) before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates his sack of Indiana State’s Keegan Patterson (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Pat Coogan (78) warming up before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) sacks Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) catches a touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack of Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Kellen Wyatt (13)celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Khobe Martin (28) makes faces at the camera after his touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) picks up a blocked punt during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) before the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) scores a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) tackles Michigan State’s Makhi Frazier (5) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) celebrates a first down during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti leads the team on the field during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Carter Smith (65) heads to student section after the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana students celebrate during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) catches a touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) heads in for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) returns an interception for a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates Hosea Wheeler’s (0) fumble recovery during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Devan Boykin (12) celebrates a tackle during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) sacks UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava (9) during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) makes the catch during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the BIg Noon Kickoff before the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe (22 celebrates a stop during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) dives as he and Mario Landino (97) work to recover a fumble during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) celebrates his fumble recovery during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) runs ffor a touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti holds up the number one to the crowd as he leaves the field after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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The Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) in the pocket during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates a touchdown catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Stephen Daley (8) pressures Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (10) during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Louis Moore (7) celebrates with Aiden Fisher (4) and Isaiah Jones (46) after his interception during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) celebrates his first down catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kahlil Benson (67) and his family embrace and celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) holds the MVP trophy after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) scores a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) is tackled by Miami’s Romanas O.J. Frederique Jr. (29) during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignett hoists the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) an D’Angelo Ponds (5) kiss the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti talks with his team as they grab the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) and Khobie Martin (28) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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The scoreboard after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Haines, who was also a finalist for the award after the 2024 season, put together a defensive unit that helped the Hoosiers win the CFP national title with a 16-0 record. They were ranked No. 4 in total defense (266 yards allowed per game) and No. 2 in scoring defense (11.7 points per game).
Indiana had the second most sacks (46), most tackles for loss (129), forced the third-most turnovers (30) and ranked in the top-10 in third-down defense (30.1% opponent conversions).
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Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has cited Haines’ creativity and scheme along with the continuity on his coaching staff as key reasons for the program’s success. Haines has been calling plays for Cignetti going back to the 2022 season at James Madison and has been on his staff for all but one season going back to 2014.
“Haines is like the mad scientist,” Cignetti told The Herald-Times. “He’s going to throw the kitchen sink at you. You are going to get four down, three down, bear, odd packages, blitzes, a lot of different stuff. It evolves every year, every week. He’s really smart.”
More: Indiana football QB Tyler Cherry back on scholarship after missing 2025
Indiana Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines answers questions at Media Day during the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Haines will be back on the sidelines with IU next season after signing a lucrative new three-year contract that makes him one of the highest-paid assistants in the FBS with a starting salary of $3 million a year. The Hoosiers have been proactive about keeping him in the fold with a high-profile programs reaching out to him each of the last two years.
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“He’s happy, he works under a great coach and has great players and a great staff and loves the guys that coach for him,” former IU grad assistant and Haines’ longtime friend Chris Shula told The Herald-Times. “The grass isn’t always greener.”
The Hoosiers are bringing back six starters in 2026, including four players — defensive lineman Tyrique Tucker, linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones and safety Amare Ferrell — who earned All-Big Ten honors.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football’s Bryant Haines wins Broyles Award
