The award recognizes the top assistant coach in college football.
It looked like Indiana might be an offense-first team that lived with the occasional defensive lapses early in the 2024 college football offseason given roster moves and a change in system and philosophy.
After a few more moves in the Spring and a strong coaching performance from the staff, the defense ended up being among the best units in the country and a strong suit for the Hoosiers. It earned defensive coordinator Bryant Haines a look for The Broyles Award, which recognizes the top assistant coach in the country.
Indiana’s defense, guided and called by Haines, ranked No. 1 nationally in run defense and No. 2 in total defense. It was an especially strong coaching job considering the staff had to mesh players they were familiar with, holdovers from the previous staff and transfer portal additions.
It’s not Haines’ first finalist nod for the award either, he was named one following the 2023 season with James Madison.