Curt Cignetti Bringing Multiple James Madison Coaches To Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Curt Cignetti will be officially introduced as Indiana's 30th head football coach on Friday at 2:30 p.m. ET. But his work has already begun.
Cignetti is expected to hire at least three coaches from his James Madison staff at Indiana, according to a report Friday morning from Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports. These coaches include defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri.
Shanahan was also on Cignetti's staff at Elon and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and Sunseri was hired at James Madison before 2021 season. Sunseri previously spent two and a half years on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama, where he was an offensive analyst and primarily worked with quarterbacks like first-round NFL Draft picks Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones.
Shanahan and Sunseri have played an integral role in building a strong offensive attack at James Madison.
Along with an 11-1 record in 2023, James Madison's offense averages 35.2 points per game, which ranks third in the Sun Belt Conference and 21st in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Dukes average 430.3 yards per game, good for third in the Sun Belt and 33rd in the FBS.
James Madison quarterback Jordan McCloud, the Sun Belt Player of the Year, currently ranks 13th in the FBS with 3,413 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions. His favorite targets are Elijah Sarratt and Reggie Brown, each of whom have over 1,000 receiving yards this year.
During James Madison's 8-3 campaign in 2022, Shanahan's offense ranked top 30 in the FBS in six categories: sixth in time of possession (33:44), seventh in yards per completion (14.54), 13th in scoring (37.0), 16th in pass efficiency (157.2), 29th in total offense (452.5) and 30th in passing scores (27). That offense included quarterback Todd Centeio, the Sun Belt Offensive Player of the year, along with five All-Sun Belt players.
Before moving to the FBS in 2022, James Madison's offense set several single-season program records in 2021. All-American quarterback Cole Johnson, who was named CFPA FCS National Performer of the Year, set James Madison records for passing yards (3,868), passing average (276.3) and passing touchdowns (43).
James Madison offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan is expected to join Curt Cignetti's staff at Indiana.
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Like Shanahan, Haines was on Cignetti's staff at Elon and IU-Pennsylvania, and he has also held various defensive coaching roles at UC Davis, Ohio State, Indiana, Adrian College and Manchester College.
Cignetti hired Haines entering his first season at James Madison in 2019. Before the 2022 season, Cignetti promoted Haines from co-defensive coordinator to his current role as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
In 2022, James Madison ranked second nationally in rushing defense (79.5), tackles for loss per game (8.6) and first downs allowed per contest (13.82). It was also fourth in sacks per game (3.45), fifth in total defense (289.5), sixth in third-down defense (.284) and seventh in fumble recoveries (13). The Dukes were also 14th in both takeaways (24) and pick-sixes (2) and 23rd in scoring defense (20.9). The 2022 defense had seven All-Sun Belt players.
During James Madison's ongoing 11-1 season, the defense ranks first in the FBS in run defense (61.5), 19th in the FBS in points allowed per game (18.5) and 29th in total defense (328.6). While the Dukes have been stout against the run, only eight FBS teams allow more passing yards per game.
Cignetti's staff at Indiana is far from finalized, so expect more news like this in the coming weeks.
Related stories on Indiana football
- IU HIRES CURT CIGNETTI: Curt Cignetti, who has coached James Madison to an 11-1 record this year, will replace Tom Allen as the next head football coach at Indiana University. CLICK HERE
- NIL RESOURCES AID CIGNETTI'S START: Hoosiers Connect announced a fundraising campaign called 'Back the Rock,' aimed at improving Indiana football's funding for name, image and likeness deals. CLICK HERE
- NICK SABAN ENDORSES CIGNETTI: Seven-time national champion coach Nick Saban gave his seal of approval to Indiana's new head coach Curt Cignetti, who worked on Saban's staff at Alabama from 2007-10 as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. CLICK HERE
