Indiana Football Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines Signs New Contract

Written by: Nate Comp (@NathanComp1)

Curt Cignetti had his assistant coach salary pool increased this offseason and on Sunday he once again upped the salary of defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, the second time he has done so this offseason. Haines agreed to a more lucrative deal than the $1.8M agreement detailed in the MOU he signed in December. The new deal was first reported by 247 Sports/CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz.

The deal comes after speculation that Haines could leave the program for a more historic powerhouse, perhaps even remaining in the Big Ten with either Penn State or Ohio State. He was originally linked to the Penn State job after former Indiana head coach Tom Allen left Penn State for the same defensive coordinator title at Clemson. Haines was the first assistant in Indiana history to make more than $1M annually, and now he’ll make even more.

Haines is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, an award given annually to the nation’s top assistant. The winner will be announced on February 13th. Last season, Indiana’s Haines-led defense ranked 2nd in yards allowed per game (256.3) and 6th in scoring allowed per game (15.6). His aggressive style of defense also compiled 35 sacks and 95 tackles for loss last year. He has been a staple of Curt Cignetti staffs, having followed him and been a member of all four of Cignetti’s head coaching staffs.

Haines graduated from Ball State in 2009 after having been a four-year started and All-MAC linebacker for the Cardinals. He began his coaching career immediately after in 2009 with Manchester College and has worked his way up the ranks since then.