When you talk to Indiana players about offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, one thing becomes clear fast: this isn’t your average play-caller. Shanahan’s fingerprints are all over one of the most explosive, productive offenses in Hoosier history - and it’s not just about schemes or stats. It’s about trust, preparation, and a relentless drive to get better.
Ask offensive lineman Pat Coogan, and he’ll tell you Shanahan’s greatest strength is his belief in the guys lining up for him every Saturday.
“He believes in his playmakers,” Coogan said. “He lets his ego go at the door and focuses on getting the ball in the hands of the guys who can make explosive plays.”
That word - belief - keeps coming up. It’s not just coach-speak.
In Indiana’s RPO-heavy attack, timing and trust are everything. Shanahan’s approach gives players the freedom to play fast and confident, knowing the system is built to highlight their strengths.
Coogan praised Shanahan for creating a system where players aren’t just running plays - they’re empowered to make them.
“He gives us the power to go out and make plays,” Coogan added. “He puts us in positions to succeed, and that means everything.”
That empowerment starts with the relationship Shanahan has with head coach Curt Cignetti. The two have worked together for years, and their shared vision is a big reason Indiana’s offense has been humming.
“Each year, we get more familiar with each other,” Shanahan said. “We push each other to come up with the best plans, and on game day, it’s about executing and putting the players in the best position to be successful.”
It’s not always perfect. Sometimes the call might not feel right in the moment - down and distance, defensive look, game situation - but Shanahan credits his players for making it work anyway.
“Sometimes I call something and maybe it’s not what someone’s feeling,” he said. “But credit to the players - they make it happen.”
That collaborative spirit isn’t limited to the field. Offensive lineman Carter Smith sees it in the meeting rooms, too. Shanahan doesn’t operate in a vacuum - he leans on the entire coaching staff, encouraging input and feedback from all corners of the offensive room.
“He makes sure he gets the opinions of every coach,” Smith said. “Whether it’s about scheme, a specific play, or how we want to run the offense.
It’s iron sharpening iron. It works really well upstairs.”
That openness is strategic. Shanahan knows what he can see from the press box, and he knows what he can’t. That’s where the input from Cignetti and assistants like Bob Bostad, Chandler Whitmer, and John Miller becomes crucial.
“Coach Cig sees the game from the field, which is different than what I see up top,” Shanahan said. “If he or any of our coaches recommend something, I trust them. We’ll get to it.”
For wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, the connection with Shanahan runs even deeper. He’s been in Shanahan’s system for three seasons and works with him every day as his position coach. If anyone knows what makes Shanahan tick, it’s Sarratt.
“One of the biggest things people don’t talk about enough is how much time and work he puts in,” Sarratt said. “There are days I’m like, ‘Coach, maybe go home early tonight,’ but he’s always grinding. That’s just who he is.”
That work ethic, Shanahan says, is modeled after what he sees from Cignetti day in and day out.
“Coach Cig’s preparation is something I really admire,” Shanahan said. “Even with everything he has on his plate as head coach, his attention to detail during the week is next-level.”
This season, Sarratt has noticed Shanahan stepping more fully into his role as offensive coordinator - not just calling plays, but leading the entire unit. Whether it’s getting the offensive line locked in, challenging the quarterbacks, or firing up the running backs, Shanahan’s voice is being heard across the board.
“He’s taken a step forward this year,” Sarratt said. “He’s talking to every group, picking guys up when practice is dragging.
He’s learning as we’re learning. The future is bright for Coach Shanny.”
But for Sarratt, it’s more than football. The bond with Shanahan goes beyond the Xs and Os.
“I love him more than just as a coach,” Sarratt said. “He’s someone I can talk to about anything.
I’d invite him to my wedding one day. Watching him evolve every day makes me want to get better too.”
There’s no question Shanahan is helping lead one of the most dynamic offenses in college football. But what’s making the biggest impact in Bloomington isn’t just the numbers - it’s the culture.
It’s belief. It’s trust.
And it’s a coach who’s building something special, one play, one rep, and one relationship at a time.