IU defensive coordinator named top college football assistant

Bryant Haines, the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Indiana Hoosiers, has been awarded the Broyles Award, recognizing him as the nation's top assistant college football coach. The announcement was made Thursday night in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Haines previously reached the finals for the award last year and was a semifinalist in 2023. He is the second Indiana assistant to become a finalist, following Kane Wommack in 2020.

Under Haines' leadership, the Indiana defense excelled, ranking second nationally in rushing defense and scoring defense. The team also placed third in turnovers gained and tackles for loss per game, achieving top ten rankings in several other defensive categories. Seven players from Indiana's defense received All-Big Ten honors, with four making the first team. Among them were linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, who also secured first-team All-America honors.

The Hoosiers concluded a perfect 16-0 season by securing