Indiana has locked down defensive coordinator Bryant Haines with a new contract that will make him one of the highest‑paid assistants in the country, according to an anonymous source.
Haines Secures One of the Highest‑Paid Assistant Contracts
The athletic department has not yet made a formal announcement, but the person speaking to the Associated Press confirmed that Haines earned $2.1 million during the season and that the new deal includes a significant pay raise. The agreement will position him among the top‑earning assistant coaches nationwide.
A Long‑Standing Partnership with Coach Cignetti
Haines, 40, grew up in central Ohio and played college football at Ball State. He began his coaching career at Manchester University, an NAIA school in northeastern Indiana, and later coached at Adrian, a Division III school in Michigan. After stints as a graduate assistant at Indiana and Ohio State, he joined Curt Cignetti’s staff at Indiana University‑Pennsylvania in 2014 and has followed the head coach to Elon, James Madison, and now Indiana.
Defensive Dominance That Defined the Season
Under Haines’ guidance, Indiana’s defense has ranked among the best in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The unit allowed the nation’s fewest first downs (165), the second‑fewest points per game (10.85), and the third‑fewest rushing yards per game (77.6). It also ranked 19th in passing yards average (179.5), sixth in total yards average (257.2), second in tackles for loss (112), third in third‑down percentage allowed (28.2 %), tied for fifth in sacks (39), and sixth in takeaways (25). Four defensive players earned first‑team all‑conference honors.
Record‑Breaking Season and Playoff Destination
Indiana finished the season with a school‑record 13 victories, completing the first perfect regular season in program history. The Hoosiers captured their first Big Ten championship since 1967 and their first outright conference crown since 1945. As the top‑seeded team (13‑0), they will open the College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day at the Rose Bowl against either No. 8 Oklahoma (10‑2) or No. 9 Alabama (10‑3).
Cignetti’s Extension Keeps the Head Coach on the Field
This contract announcement follows coach Curt Cignetti’s eight‑year extension worth $93 million signed in October. The deal could keep the 64‑year‑old at Indiana for the rest of his career. Cignetti has earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in each of his two seasons at the school and was named the 2024 Associated Press Coach of the Year.
Key Takeaways
- Haines will receive one of the highest salaries among college assistants after the new deal.
- Indiana’s defense ranked among the nation’s best in multiple categories, contributing to a 13‑win season.
- The Hoosiers earned a top seed in the College Football Playoff and will face either Oklahoma or Alabama at the Rose Bowl.
Indiana’s defensive coordinator’s new contract underscores the program’s commitment to sustaining its record‑breaking performance while securing top coaching talent for the future.
Morgan J. Carter is a Texas-based journalist covering breaking news, local government, public safety, and community developments across Austin. With more than six years of reporting experience, Morgan focuses on delivering accurate, clear, and timely stories that reflect the fast-moving pulse of the city.
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