Indiana: a football coaching history

Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.

2024–now

Curt Cignetti Builder ◆ COY

Curt Cignetti raised Indiana from Regional Program I to Power Program II.

2025 offense ranked in the 100th percentile nationally — elite

+26.6 pts over 3 seasons · top 1% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Dennis Erickson’s Oregon State run (1999–2002)

1st-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Tom Allen (2016–2023).

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2024	2025	2026
Record & result
Record	11-2	16-0	8-1
Postseason	CFP loss	Champion	—
Recruiting rank	#65	#47	#29
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	42.7	38.4	42.3
Coordinators
OC	Mike Shanahan / Tino Sunseri	Mike Shanahan / Chandler Whitmer	Mike Shanahan / Tino Sunseri
DC	Bryant Haines	Bryant Haines	Bryant Haines
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	82	100	90
Defense	95	96	95
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	41.2	43.8	41.8
Red-zone pass%	38.2	35.8	37.2
4th-down go%opp. territory	45.8	30.8	29.0

Recruiter or developer?

Outperforms his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

+40.0 pts

#6 of 208 · top quarter

Defense vs. talent

+44.9 pts

#2 of 208 · top quarter

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A portal-built roster.

Portal arrivals

3.1★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-16

#30 of 187 FBS stints

Notable portal arrivals with a modeled NIL value

Josh Hoover On3 modeled · $4,000,000Nick Marsh On3 modeled · $1,000,000

On3’s modeled estimate (social reach / exposure), not money actually paid — shown per player, never totaled.

Who they bring in

Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′2″, 235 lbs

across 61 of 70 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+5.8 lbs

#74 of 255 · middle half

Avg. class year

#44 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: VA (11), GA (6), TX (4), MD (4), IN (3)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

62.7

position-weighted

Talent lost

58.6

position-weighted

Net

+4.1

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Fernando Mendoza (QB) from California

Biggest loss: Brendan Sorsby (QB) to Cincinnati

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Mike Shanahan / Tino Sunseri (co) → Mike Shanahan / Chandler Whitmer (co) · 2025

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 41.2% → 43.8% (+2.5 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 25% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Mike Shanahan / Chandler Whitmer (co) → Mike Shanahan / Tino Sunseri (co) · 2026

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 43.8% → 41.8% (-2.0 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 17% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

220 lbs

6′5″ avg · #155 of 767 · top quarter

Running back

209 lbs

5′10″ avg · #337 of 791 · middle half

Wide receiver

199 lbs

6′1″ avg · #147 of 791 · top quarter

Tight end

249 lbs

6′4″ avg · #231 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

302 lbs

6′5″ avg · #656 of 779 · bottom quarter

D-line

267 lbs

6′3″ avg · #697 of 753 · bottom quarter

Linebacker

221 lbs

6′1″ avg · #683 of 772 · bottom quarter

Cornerback

185 lbs

6′0″ avg · #622 of 771 · bottom quarter

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Buys Long snapper via the portal

100%

#1 of 13 stints

Buys Running back via the portal

73%

#28 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2024: Lost to Notre Dame 17-27 College Football Playoff First Round Game Presented by Allstate2025: Beat Alabama 38-3 College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Rose Bowl Presented by Prudential2025: Beat Oregon 56-22 College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl2025: Beat Miami 27-21 College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T

10 NFL Draft picks: CJ West (2025), Kurtis Rourke (2025), Fernando Mendoza (2026), Omar Cooper Jr. (2026), D'Angelo Ponds (2026), Kaelon Black (2026), Elijah Sarratt (2026), Riley Nowakowski (2026) + 2 more

Coach of the Year: Big Ten Dave McClain Coach of the Year/Big Ten Hayes–Schembechler Coach of the Year (2024), Big Ten Dave McClain Coach of the Year/Big Ten Hayes–Schembechler Coach of the Year (2025)

6 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Aiden Fisher (2024), Carter Smith (2025), Aiden Fisher (2025), D'Angelo Ponds (2025), Fernando Mendoza (2025), Louis Moore (2025)

AI Narratives — “Indiana's Offseason Depth Crisis” and 24 more on the team page.

+26.6

35-3

2016–2023

Tom Allen Steady ◆ COY

Tom Allen moved the Hoosiers from Regional Program II to National Program III in 7 seasons.

2021 offense ranked in the 3th percentile nationally — historically bad

+7.7 pts over 7 seasons · top 24% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Charlie Weatherbie’s Navy run (1995–2001)

4th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Kevin Wilson (2011–2016) · succeeded by Curt Cignetti (2024–now).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Record & result
Record	0-1	5-7	5-7	8-5	6-2	2-10	4-8	3-9
Postseason	L bowl	—	—	L bowl	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	#62	#50	#36	#58	#54	#26	#69
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	52.8	52.9	50.3	51.5	47.7	54.9	45.8
Coordinators
OC	—	Mike DeBord	Mike DeBord	Kalen DeBoer	Grant Heard / Nick Sheridan	Grant Heard / Nick Sheridan	Walt Bell / Adam Henry	Walt Bell
DC	—	Mark Hagen	Mark Hagen	Kane Wommack	Kane Wommack / Kevin Peoples	Charlton Warren / Kevin Peoples	Chad Wilt	Chad Wilt / Matt Guerrieri
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	39	30	56	21	3	11	39
Defense	—	72	32	67	70	33	26	14
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	47.4	46.5	47.7	47.1	48.7	59.5	44.9
Red-zone pass%	—	52.8	51.9	41.2	41.8	38.3	54.4	29.6
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	26.1	39.6	21.6	31.8	32.3	32.7	45.5

Recruiter or developer?

Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.

Offense vs. talent

-25.1 pts

#188 of 208 · bottom quarter

Defense vs. talent

-8.5 pts

#142 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Roster construction · portal era

A typical amount of portal roster-building.

Portal arrivals

3.1★ avg rating

Portal departures

left via the portal

Net portal flow

-24

#75 of 187 FBS stints

Who they bring in

Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.

Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.

Avg. size (raw)

6′2″, 244 lbs

across 33 of 44 arrivals — unadjusted for position mix

Size vs. position-typical

+6.9 lbs

#52 of 255 · top quarter

Avg. class year

#1 of 255 · top quarter

Top states: TX (6), FL (4), AL (4), CA (3), OH (2)

Who won the portal our read

Talent added

57.8

position-weighted

Talent lost

59.3

position-weighted

Net

-1.5

arrivals minus departures

Best addition: Connor Bazelak (QB) from Missouri

Biggest loss: Connor Bazelak (QB) to Bowling Green

Position-value-weighted (QB/CB weighted highest, depth-decayed within each position) — the same scoring engine as the Portal Heat feed, not a separate grade.

Does the system survive a coordinator change?

OC: Mike DeBord → Kalen DeBoer · 2019

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 46.5% → 47.7% (+1.2 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 82% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Kalen DeBoer → Grant Heard (co) / Nick Sheridan · 2020

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 47.7% → 47.1% (-0.6 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 59% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

OC: Grant Heard (co) / Nick Sheridan → Walt Bell (co) / Adam Henry (co) · 2022

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

1st-down pass rate: 48.7% → 59.5% (+10.7 pts)

Confound, shown not hidden: only 24% of offensive production returned the year the coordinator changed — the roster turned over at the same time, not just the play-caller.

DC: Mark Hagen → Kane Wommack · 2019

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Kane Wommack → Kane Wommack / Kevin Peoples (co) · 2020

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Kane Wommack / Kevin Peoples (co) → Charlton Warren / Kevin Peoples (co) · 2021

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Charlton Warren / Kevin Peoples (co) → Chad Wilt · 2022

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

DC: Chad Wilt → Chad Wilt (co) / Matt Guerrieri (co) · 2023

1-season window either side — numbers shown, not enough to badge a verdict.

Roster size, by position

Skill positions · usage-weighted (real participation)

Quarterback

217 lbs

6′3″ avg · #256 of 767 · middle half

Running back

213 lbs

5′11″ avg · #175 of 791 · top quarter

Wide receiver

197 lbs

6′2″ avg · #194 of 791 · top quarter

Tight end

250 lbs

6′5″ avg · #195 of 731 · middle half

Trench & secondary · recruited roster, not confirmed starters

Interior line

311 lbs

6′5″ avg · #309 of 779 · middle half

D-line

278 lbs

6′4″ avg · #503 of 753 · middle half

Linebacker

235 lbs

6′2″ avg · #113 of 772 · top quarter

Cornerback

193 lbs

6′0″ avg · #235 of 771 · middle half

Offensive-line size is one undifferentiated bucket — the source data almost never distinguishes tackle from guard from center, so we can't split them out.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Buys Athlete via the portal

13%

#36 of 146 stints

Grows Kicker from high school

100%

#52 of 56 stints

Grows Tight end from high school

83%

#155 of 188 stints

Postseason detail2016: Lost to Utah 24-26 Foster Farms Bowl2019: Lost to Tennessee 22-23 Taxslayer Gator Bowl2020: Lost to Ole Miss 20-26 Outback Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Ian Thomas (2018), Chris Covington (2018), Wes Martin (2019), Simon Stepaniak (2020), Jamar Johnson (2021), Micah McFadden (2022)

Coach of the Year: Big Ten Dave McClain Coach of the Year (Media)/Big Ten Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year (Coaches) (2020)

2 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Tiawan Mullen (2020), Jaylin Lucas (2022)

+7.7

33-49

2011–2016

Kevin Wilson Steady

Kevin Wilson moved the Hoosiers from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.

Swung 20.8 points of pass rate — #22 of 449 FBS coaching stints since 2004

+3.4 pts over 6 seasons · top 45% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jerry Pettibone’s Oregon State run (1991–1996)

11th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Lynch (2007–2010) · succeeded by Tom Allen (2016–2023).

System Shift, on arrival

System Shift, on departure

Season	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016
Record & result
Record	1-11	4-8	5-7	4-8	6-7	6-6
Postseason	—	—	—	—	L bowl	—
Recruiting rank	#55	#57	#42	#48	#53	#53
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	43.4	57.5	50.6	36.7	43.8	46.1
Coordinators
OC	—	—	—	Kevin Johns	Kevin Johns	Kevin Johns
DC	—	—	—	Brian Knorr	Brian Knorr	Tom Allen
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	55	42	60	45	77	23
Defense	9	25	2	54	18	71
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	39.3	50.4	51.3	32.5	36.2	38.3
Red-zone pass%	21.3	44.4	46.2	22.7	35.1	30.7
4th-down go%opp. territory	29.0	22.9	45.8	30.0	36.7	40.0

Recruiter or developer?

Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.

Offense vs. talent

-2.3 pts

#121 of 208 · middle half

Defense vs. talent

-7.7 pts

#137 of 208 · middle half

Recruiting talent is team-wide (no offense/defense split exists in the source data) -- both sides are scored against the same talent input, only the outcome is side-specific.

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2015: Lost to Duke 41-44 New Era Pinstripe Bowl

7 NFL Draft picks: Cody Latimer (2014), Ted Bolser (2014), Tevin Coleman (2015), Jason Spriggs (2016), Jordan Howard (2016), Nate Sudfeld (2016), Dan Feeney (2017)

+3.4

26-47

2007–2010

Bill Lynch Steady

Bill Lynch held the Hoosiers at Regional Program III for 4 seasons.

2008 offense ranked in the 5th percentile nationally — historically bad

+0.8 pts over 4 seasons · top 30% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Jim Corrigall’s Kent State run (1994–1997)

13th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Terry Hoeppner (2005–2006) · succeeded by Kevin Wilson (2011–2016).

System Shift, on departure

System Shift, on arrival

Season	2007	2008	2009	2010
Record & result
Record	7-6	3-9	4-8	5-7
Postseason	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	#80	#68	#66	#77
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	50.0	44.6	54.4	59.6
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	75	5	45	35
Defense	28	6	30	20
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	42.2	43.9	39.6	51.1
Red-zone pass%	47.4	48.2	47.3	55.5
4th-down go%opp. territory	25.0	16.1	26.2	28.2

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Tight end from high school

100%

#164 of 188 stints

Grows Edge from high school

100%

#191 of 208 stints

Postseason detail2007: Lost to Oklahoma State 33-49 Bowl

7 NFL Draft picks: Tracy Porter (2008), James Hardy (2008), Rodger Saffold (2010), Jammie Kirlew (2010), Ray Fisher (2010), James Brewer (2011), Tandon Doss (2011)

+0.8

19-30

2005–2006

Terry Hoeppner Short tenure

No outlier style signal this stint

9-14

2002–2004

Gerry DiNardo Steady

Gerry DiNardo slid Indiana from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 3 seasons.

No outlier style signal this stint

−6.3 pts over 3 seasons · bottom 29% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Derek Dooley’s Tennessee run (2010–2012)

12th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Cam Cameron (1997–2001) · succeeded by Terry Hoeppner (2005–2006).

System Shift, on departure

Season	2002	2003	2004
Record & result
Record	3-9	2-10	3-8
Postseason	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	#54
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	38.9
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	46
Defense	—	—	43
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	26.4
Red-zone pass%	—	—	30.4
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	40.9

Where the roster comes from, by position

Grows Running back from high school

100%

#196 of 208 stints

Grows Tackle from high school

100%

#198 of 223 stints

2 NFL Draft picks: Gibran Hamdan (2003), Courtney Roby (2005)

−6.3

8-27

1997–2001

Cam Cameron Steady

Cam Cameron slid the Hoosiers from National Program III to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.

−7.6 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 22% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Randy Edsall’s Maryland run (2011–2015)

9th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bill Mallory (1984–1996) · succeeded by Gerry DiNardo (2002–2004).

3 NFL Draft picks: Victor Allotey (1998), Chris Liwienski (1998), Antwaan Randle El (2002)

−7.6

18-37

1984–1996

Bill Mallory Builder

Bill Mallory raised Indiana from Regional Program III to National Program III.

+15.7 pts over 13 seasons · top 36% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State run (2007–2019)

5th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Sam Wyche (1983) · succeeded by Cam Cameron (1997–2001).

Season	1984	1985	1986	1987	1988	1989	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996
Record & result
Record	0-11	4-7	6-6	8-4	8-3-1	5-6	6-5-1	7-4-1	5-6	8-4	6-5	2-9	3-8
Postseason	—	—	L bowl	L bowl	W bowl	—	L bowl	W bowl	—	L bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1986: Lost to Florida State 13-27 Bowl1987: Lost to Tennessee 22-27 Bowl1988: Beat South Carolina 34-10 Bowl1990: Lost to Auburn 23-27 Bowl1991: Beat Baylor 24-0 Bowl1993: Lost to Virginia Tech 20-45 Bowl

14 NFL Draft picks: Kevin Allen (1985), Leonard Bell (1987), Anthony Thompson (1990), Ian Beckles (1990), Mike Dumas (1991), Nolan Harrison (1991), Vaughn Dunbar (1992), Shawn Harper (1992) + 6 more

+15.7

68-78-3

1983

Sam Wyche Short tenure

3-8

1973–1982

Lee Corso Steady

Lee Corso slid the Hoosiers from Regional Program II to Regional Program III in 10 seasons.

−2.8 pts over 10 seasons · bottom 13% of 10+-season tenures (202 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Kalani Sitake’s BYU run (2016–now)

10th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed John Pont (1965–1972) · succeeded by Sam Wyche (1983).

Season	1973	1974	1975	1976	1977	1978	1979	1980	1981	1982
Record & result
Record	2-9	1-10	2-8-1	5-6	5-5-1	4-7	8-4	6-5	3-8	5-6
Postseason	—	—	—	—	—	—	W bowl	—	—	—
Recruiting rank	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Style — pass rate
Pass rate	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile
Offense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Defense	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script
1st-down pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
Red-zone pass%	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
4th-down go%opp. territory	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Postseason detail1979: Beat BYU 38-37 Bowl

6 NFL Draft picks: Carl Barzilauskas (1974), Larry Jameson (1975), Greg McGuire (1976), Joe Norman (1979), Mike Friede (1980), Babe Laufenberg (1983)

−2.8

41-68-2

1965–1972

John Pont Steady

John Pont moved the Hoosiers from Regional Program I to National Program III in 8 seasons.

−4.9 pts over 8 seasons · bottom 22% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Rip Scherer’s Memphis run (1995–2000)

7th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Phil Dickens (1958–1964) · succeeded by Lee Corso (1973–1982).

−4.9

31-51-1

1958–1964

Phil Dickens Steady

Phil Dickens moved Indiana from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 7 seasons.

+4.1 pts over 7 seasons · top 39% of 6-9-season tenures (368 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Bobby Johnson’s Vanderbilt run (2002–2009)

8th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bob Hicks (1957) · succeeded by John Pont (1965–1972).

+4.1

20-41-2

1957

Bob Hicks Short tenure

1-8

1952–1956

Bernie Crimmins Steady

Bernie Crimmins slid Indiana from National Program III to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.

−5.5 pts over 5 seasons · bottom 34% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Don Treadwell’s Miami (OH) run (2011–2013)

6th-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Clyde Smith (1948–1951) · succeeded by Bob Hicks (1957).

−5.5

13-32

1948–1951

Clyde Smith Steady≈

Clyde Smith slid Indiana from Power Program III to National Program I in 4 seasons.

−15.5 pts over 4 seasons · bottom 2% of 3-5-season tenures (717 in sample)

Closest comparable run: Mike Locksley’s New Mexico run (2009–2011)

3rd-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Followed Bo McMillin (1936–1947) · succeeded by Bernie Crimmins (1952–1956).

−15.5

8-27-1

1936–1947

Bo McMillin Steady

Bo McMillin held Indiana at Power Program III for 12 seasons.

2nd-best Indiana tenure of 13 by the numbers.

Succeeded by Clyde Smith (1948–1951).

Power Program III

56-42-8