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BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti was just as proactive about keeping his coaching staff intact as he was retaining his key players.
The Hoosiers’ nine returning on-field coaches all received new deals with raises in December. The ink wasn’t even dry on those contracts when defensive coordinator Bryant Haines received an additional pay bump.
During a virtual news conference for National Signing Day, Cignetti told reporters that the blue bloods “were knocking at the door” for Haines.
“I really appreciate President Whitten and Scott Dolson for the tremendous support that they’ve provided since I’ve become the head coach that enables us to keep a key person like Bryant Haines,” Cignetti said.
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The university has yet to provide details of Haines’ latest contract, but the original extension he signed was a three-year deal that would have paid him $1.8 million a year.
Penn State reportedly expressed interest in Haines to fill the defensive coordinator vacancy it had after IU’s former coach Tom Allen left the school after one season. Notre Dame and Ohio State ended up with openings as well.
Cignetti said it was a no-brainer that Haines would generate interest for those high-profile openings given the success he’s had in recent years.
“When you’re successful and you win and you’re a coordinator and your side of the ball excels — I think we’re No. 1 in the country against the run, No. 2 in total defense, we’re No. 1 in Big Ten in other categories — he’s done a great job for me,” Cignetti said. “I think he just completed his third year as coordinator. He’s been with me 11 or 12 years — people are going to come after him.”
The one-time IU grad assistant had immediate success when he…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-indiana-football-coach-curt-090729680.html
Author : IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star
Publish date : 2025-02-06 09:07:00
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