Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines wins Broyles Award

Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines won the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant coach at a ceremony in Hot Springs, Arkansas. His unit ranked among the FBS leaders in several defensive categories and helped Indiana capture its first national championship.

Bryant Haines, Indiana’s defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, received the Broyles Award at a presentation in the Grand Ballroom of Oaklawn Resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The award is given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach and Haines was chosen from four other finalists. Haines, 40, led a defense that finished among the national leaders and played a central role in Indiana’s season of program firsts. He emphasized the staff and players when discussing the honor. Notable facts: - Haines won over four finalists: Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood and Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. - He is the first Broyles Award winner in Indiana history and the seventh from the Big Ten; Indiana had previous finalists including Kane Wommack in 2020 and Haines himself in 2024, and Haines was a semifinalist at James Madison in 2023. - Indiana’s defense ranked No. 2 in the FBS in scoring defense (11.7 points allowed per game) and No. 2 in rushing defense (77.2 yards allowed per game), and was third in turnovers forced (30) and tackles for loss per game (8.1), with opponents averaging 266 total yards per game. - The Hoosiers set a program record with 46 sacks and won the school’s first national championship; Haines is the first assistant to win the Broyles Award and a national title in the same season since 2019 and is the 10th coach to do so all-time. - Several Indiana players received All-American recognition, including first-team selections Aiden Fisher and D’Angelo Ponds, and Haines signed a three-year contract extension in mid-December and is reported to be among the nation’s highest-paid assistant coaches. Summary: The Broyles Award underscores Haines’ role in a top-ranked defensive unit and in Indiana’s national title season. Undetermined at this time.