Indiana’s Bryant Haines has officially claimed the highest honor for a college football assistant coach, taking home the 2025 Broyles Award-and make no mistake, it’s well-earned.
Haines becomes the first assistant in Indiana program history to win the prestigious award, and it caps a two-year stretch where he’s built one of the nastiest, most disciplined defenses in the country. He was a finalist in 2024, but 2025 was the year it all came together.
Let’s talk about what made his defense so dominant.
Despite facing the nation’s 10th-toughest schedule, Indiana finished second in the country in both scoring defense (11.7 points per game) and rushing defense (77.19 yards per game). That’s not just good-it’s elite.
They were also top five in total defense, allowing just 266.0 yards per game. Even against high-powered offenses, Haines' unit consistently dictated the terms.
And they didn’t just bend without breaking-they didn’t bend at all.
Indiana led the nation with 129 tackles for loss, finished second with 46 sacks, and created 30 turnovers-third-most in the country. They were also among the best in critical situations: eighth in opponent third-down conversions (30.1%) and second in opponent red zone touchdown percentage (just 37%). That’s the kind of situational dominance that wins championships.
What makes this even more impressive is the turnover Indiana had on that side of the ball. After 2024, the Hoosiers had to replace key starters across every level of the defense-linebacker Jailin Walker, defensive tackles James Carpenter and C.J.
West, cornerback Jamier Johnson, safety Shawn Asbury, rover Terry Jones, and edge rusher Lanell Carr. That’s a lot of production and leadership out the door.
But Haines didn’t just reload-he rebuilt. And fast.
Three players who were reserves in 2024-linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones, and defensive tackle Tyrique Tucker-emerged as major contributors in 2025. That speaks volumes about Haines’ ability not just to scheme, but to develop talent. His system works, and more importantly, his players buy in.
And the results? Just look at the biggest games of the year.
Indiana’s defense didn’t allow a second-half touchdown to then-No. 2 Oregon on the road.
They shut down then-No. 1 Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship.
And in the Rose Bowl, No. 9 Alabama never even found the end zone.
That’s not just game planning-that’s execution at the highest level.
Nine players from Haines’ 2025 defense earned All-Big Ten recognition. That’s not a coincidence-it’s a testament to a system that gets the best out of its players, week in and week out.
The other finalists for the Broyles Award this year were Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, Miami (FL) defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, Ohio State DC Matt Patricia, and Texas Tech DC Shiel Wood. All had strong cases, but Haines stood above the rest.
In a sport where continuity is rare and defensive dominance even rarer, Bryant Haines found a way to elevate Indiana’s defense to historic heights. The Broyles Award just made it official.