LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Indiana heads into Thursday's Rose Bowl as a touchdown favorite against Alabama. In large part because of the work of its defense this season.
IU is ranked 4th nationally in total defense, and 2nd in scoring defense. They are also 3rd in rush defense and that will be a point of emphasis as they try to shut down the Crimson Tide.
Bryant Haines has been with Curt Cignetti for nearly all of his 11 years as a head coach. Haines initially joined Cignetti's staff at IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania) in 2014 as a defensive line coach and a strength and conditioning coordinator.
The former Ball State linebacker became a co-defensive coordinator under Cignetti at James Madison in 2019 and he's been the Hoosiers defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the last two seasons.
Haines talked Sunday about his early years with Cignetti at IUP and his relationship with IU offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan.
"Our time at IUP, coach Shanahan and I did not cross over," said Haines. "Funny story about that, though: Coach Cignetti had a house for all of the young coaches that weren't making a whole lot of money and the bathroom of the house actually ended up caving in right after I moved out and that house got annexed. So, I don't know where coach Shanahan lived. But, when I was there, we did kind of have the young, poor coaches house that unfortunately didn't make it.
"Moving on to coach Shanahan, his evolution - I guess similar to mine - happened in such a way that I always respected him as a co-worker and a receivers coach who was always extremely organized and very efficient with his coaching. I remember when Shane Montgomery left [James Madison], I remember thinking and talking to other guys on the staff that Shanny's guy. He is a no-brainer hire here as the OC. I think we all felt that way because anyone that's been around Shanny knows how capable he is.
"So, that is how the evolution came to be, we never lived together, and I can't say that we've ever had conversations about 'hey, when it's our time,' I just knew he was going to make it because he is phenomenal. He's a great coach, very smart and his organizational discipline is one of his elite qualities."
Haines said he has learned to be a little less aggressive and more multiple with his defensive calls over the years. He said he learns so much going against the Indiana offense on a regular basis. He believes the Hoosiers offense under Shanahan and Cignetti continually puts defenses in conflict.
The Hoosiers hope to have Alabama in conflict Thursday. That's a 4:00 pm eastern start. Our Haley Schoengart and Eric Crawford will have reports from Pasadena beginning Monday.
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