BLOOMINGTON — Indiana athletics has finalized fresh deals for the football team’s on-field staff.
The athletic department signed both of IU’s coordinators to lucrative new deals in December, but waited until after the season to lock up the rest of Curt Cignetti’s staff.
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According to memorandums of understanding (MOU) obtained by The Herald-Times, Indiana’s assistant salary pool for 2026 will be $10.4 million with all seven returning on-field coaches getting pay raises.
More: Projecting Indiana football’s 2026 offensive depth chart
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) heads in during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates with Amare Ferrell (1) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jonathan Brady (0) makes a long return during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) celebrates during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Hoosier the Bison decends to the field before the Indiana versus Old Dominion football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Mikail Kamara (6) and Aiden Fisher (4) celebrate a sack of Kennesaw State’s Amari Odom (2) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a touchdown to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Alberto Mendoza (16) and Fernando Mendoza (15) celebrate Alberto’s touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kellan Wyatt (13) celebrates his tackle of Kennesaw State’s Alexander Diggs (3) for a loss during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) makes the catch during the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Roman Hemby (1) )before the start of the Indiana versus Kennesaw State Big Ten football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Amari Kamara (44) before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Medoza (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates his sack of Indiana State’s Keegan Patterson (15) during the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Pat Coogan (78) warming up before the Indiana versus Indiana State football game at Memorial Stadium on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) sacks Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Fans cheer during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) catches a touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Mario Landino (97) celebrates his sack of Illinois’ Luke Altmeyer (9) during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Kellen Wyatt (13)celebrates his sack during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Khobe Martin (28) makes faces at the camera after his touchdown during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) picks up a blocked punt during the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) before the Indiana versus Illinois football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) scores a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) tackles Michigan State’s Makhi Frazier (5) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) celebrates a first down during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti leads the team on the field during The Walk before the start of the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes to E.J. Williams Jr. (7) during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Carter Smith (65) heads to student section after the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana students celebrate during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) catches a touchdown pass during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams Jr. (7) heads in for a touchdown during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
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Indiana’s Aiden Fisher (4) returns an interception for a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Isaiah Jones (46) celebrates Hosea Wheeler’s (0) fumble recovery during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s E.J. Williams (7) celebrates a touchdown during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Devan Boykin (12) celebrates a tackle during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) sacks UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava (9) during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) makes the catch during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Fans cheer during the BIg Noon Kickoff before the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt CIgnetti during the Indiana versus UCLA football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) passes during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Jamari Sharpe (22 celebrates a stop during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) dives as he and Mario Landino (97) work to recover a fumble during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Hosea Wheeler (0) celebrates his fumble recovery during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) runs ffor a touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti holds up the number one to the crowd as he leaves the field after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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The Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Riley Nowakowski (37) celebrates his touchdown during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) in the pocket during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Wisconsin football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) celebrates a touchdown catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Stephen Daley (8) pressures Ohio State’s Julian Sayin (10) during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Louis Moore (7) celebrates with Aiden Fisher (4) and Isaiah Jones (46) after his interception during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) runs during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Charlie Becker (80) celebrates his first down catch during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti during the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) and Mario Landino (97) celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Kahlil Benson (67) and his family embrace and celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers celebrate after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) holds the MVP trophy after the Indiana versus Ohio State Big Ten Championship football game at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) scores a touchdown during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr. (3) is tackled by Miami’s Romanas O.J. Frederique Jr. (29) during the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignett hoists the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza (15) an D’Angelo Ponds (5) kiss the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti talks with his team as they grab the trophy after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Lincoln Murff (45) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt (13) and Khobie Martin (28) celebrate after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds (5) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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Indiana’s Tyrique Tucker (95) celebrates after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
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The scoreboard after the College Football Playoff National Championship college football game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Monday, Jan. 19, 2026.
Indiana offensive line coach Bob Bostad remained the highest paid member of the staff behind both coordinators with an annual salary of $1.15 million. He received a $250,000 pay increase from his previous deal.
Rod Ojong, IU’s cornerbacks coach, also received a $250,000 raise for 2026. He will make $800,000 in the first year of his deal and $850,000 in year two. Three other assistants — defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz, tight ends and special teams coordinator Grant Cain and running backs coach John Miller — also received six-figure raises.
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This is the second straight year that Cignetti’s entire staff received new contracts.
The football team’s salary pool for the on-field assistants at the start of his tenure was $5.9 million and $4.6 million in 2023. In Tom Allen’s final season, the Hoosiers had five assistants making less than $500,000.
In 2026, they will have none.
More: Projecting Indiana football’s 2026 defensive depth chart
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks onto the field Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, during the Indiana Football College Football Playoff National Championship celebration and parade at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington.
The two-year deals all run through Jan. 15, 2028 and contain identical bonus structures.
Indiana’s assistants can earn a performance bonus that starts at 10% of their base pay for reaching a bowl game. The incentive tops out at 50% of their base pay if the team wins a national title.
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They also have similar buyout protection language and are fully guaranteed if the assistant is let go without cause, subject to mitigation.
Indiana football’s coaching salaries (raise)
Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines $3 million ($1 million)
Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan $1.7 million ($550,000)
Offensive line coach Bob Bostad $1.15 million ($250,000)
Cornerbacks coach Rod Ojong $800,000 ($250,000)
Defensive tackles coach Pat Kuntz $725,000 ($100,000)
Special teams coach Graint Cain $700,000 ($125,000)
Quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri $650,000 (N/A)
Defensive ends coach Buddha Williams $600,000 ($50,000)
Safeties coach Ola Adams $575,000 ($25,000)
Running backs coach John Miller $525,000 ($100,000)
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Indiana football’s returning assistants get new deals, pay raises for 2026 season
