Indiana’s Offensive Architect: How Mike Shanahan Has the Hoosiers Rolling Into the Title Game
As Indiana gears up for Monday night’s national championship clash with Miami, all eyes are on the Hoosiers’ offense - and the man orchestrating it from the booth: offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan.
Shanahan has been the driving force behind one of the most explosive units in college football this season. Under his direction, the top-ranked Hoosiers (15-0) are not just winning - they’re dominating. And now, with a perfect season on the line, Shanahan’s offense will look to finish the job on the biggest stage of them all.
A Familiar Formula, Elevated to the Big Time
Shanahan’s partnership with head coach Curt Cignetti goes back nearly a decade, starting with their time together at James Madison. That continuity has translated into a level of offensive cohesion that’s rare at this level. Shanahan knows what Cignetti wants, and more importantly, he knows how to make it happen.
Since joining Indiana, the duo has brought that same high-octane, detail-oriented approach to Bloomington - and the results have been staggering. The Hoosiers enter the College Football Playoff title game ranked No. 2 in the nation in scoring offense, averaging 42.6 points per game, and No. 11 in total offense, putting up 461 yards per contest. With Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza at quarterback, Shanahan has a field general capable of executing his vision at an elite level.
A New Deal Reflects His Rising Stock
Indiana didn’t wait for the coaching carousel to start spinning before locking up its offensive mastermind. Shanahan signed a new three-year deal in December that will pay him $2.4 million annually - nearly double his previous salary. It’s a clear sign of how much the program values what he brings to the table.
That salary puts him among the highest-paid assistant coaches in the country. According to the 2024 USA Today assistant coaches salary database, only nine assistants were making over $2 million per year, with the top earner at $2.5 million. Indiana’s investment in Shanahan shows they’re serious about sustaining this level of success.
The deal also includes a significant buyout clause: if Shanahan leaves for another job before April 15, he owes the university 50% of his annual salary at that time. On the flip side, the contract is fully guaranteed if he’s fired without cause, subject to mitigation - a sign of mutual commitment between coach and program.
A Name You Know, But a Path All His Own
Let’s clear this up right away: Indiana’s Mike Shanahan isn’t related to the two-time Super Bowl-winning head coach of the same name. But while the name might turn heads, this Shanahan’s rise has been built on his own résumé.
A Pittsburgh native and standout receiver at Norwin High School, Shanahan stayed in-state for college and became one of the most decorated wideouts in his program’s history. His coaching journey began at Pitt as a graduate assistant before landing his first on-field role in 2016 as the receivers coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
From there, he followed Cignetti to Elon and then James Madison, climbing the ladder with each stop. In 2021, he was promoted to offensive coordinator and play caller at JMU - the same role he now holds at Indiana. That continuity and trust with Cignetti has been a cornerstone of Indiana’s offensive identity.
Ready for the Moment
On Monday night, Shanahan will face perhaps the biggest test of his career - crafting a game plan to take down No. 10 Miami and finish off a perfect 16-0 season. But if this year has shown us anything, it’s that Shanahan knows how to put his players in position to succeed.
With Mendoza under center, an offense firing on all cylinders, and a head coach who trusts him implicitly, Shanahan isn’t just calling plays - he’s calling his shot. And if Indiana hoists the trophy when it’s all said and done, don’t be surprised if Shanahan’s name starts popping up on even bigger radars.
For now, though, he’s focused on one thing: finishing the job.