Hoosiers Get Major Portal Haul with Former Notre Dame Center Pat Coogan

Written by Sammy Jacobs (@Hoosier_Huddle)

The Indiana Hoosiers football team made a big, late splash in the transfer portal cycle as former Notre Dame center Pat Coogan will be heading south to Bloomington for the 2025 season.

Coogan started 12 of Notre Dame’s 15 games at center. Coogan had started 13 games in 2023 at left guard but lost the starting guard position heading into the 2024 season. Coogan was Notre Dame’s emotional leader last season as he helped lead the Irish to a 13-2 record and a spot in the College Football Playoff national Championship game.

“The great thing about Pat is even when he wasn’t asked to be in a prominent role, he was a prominent leader. That speaks a lot to the culture of that room and his character in particular,” offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock said in an article from Pete Sampson of The Athletic.

The addition of Coogan really turns IU’s offensive line into a strength by answering the question of who will replace Mike Katic at center. Coogan can allow Bray Lynch to slide back over to guard and gives the Hoosiers plenty of depth (if there is such a thing) along the offensive line.

Coogan was listed at 6’5” and 310 pounds on Notre Dame’s website this past fall. The hope for the Hoosiers is that he brings his fiery passion for the game and ability to play four quarters of “F-You” football.