by Ben Kenney- USA Today
18) John Butler-Neb.
17) Tim McGarigle-NW
16) Michael Sherer-PU
15) Danny Collins-Minn.
14) Ikaika Malloe-UCLA
13) Aaron Henry-Ill.
12) Ted Monachino-MD
11) Matt Patricia-OSU
10) Mike Tressel-Wisc.
9) Robb Smith/Zach Sperber-Rutgers
8) Ryan Walters-Wash.
7) Joe Rossi-MSU
6) Byrant Haines-INDIANAHaines was a big part of INDIANA's program-best season in 2024, leading his defense to top-two finishes in the Big Ten in both points & yds allowed per game. Just like on the offensive side of the ball, 2025 will be about Haines' defense validating that output. Another top finish could lead to an even further rise.
5) D;Anton Lynn-USC
4) Tosh Lupoi-Oregon
3) Wink Martindale-Mich.
2) Jim Knowles-PSU
1) Phil Barker-Iowa
Always nice to get a ranking like this. Personally I think Haines might be better than this ranking given what he did with 3* personnel and modest NIL.
Apparently, so did PSU & OSU, & the PSU QB, Allar who was a big fan.
@red-hornet That was a stressful month or so when they were poking around our guy. Pretty awesome to fend off all approaches.
Probably the biggest victory of the year was keeping Byrant Haines & all our other assts(excepting Sunseri).
Didnt psu try to get haines prior to hiring Knowles?
@hurryinghoosiers They interviewed him. I don’t have details on if the was offered, but it seemed pretty serious because he got two raises from IU beyond the big raise the whole staff got in November. We worked really hard to keep him, so the interest from PSU was probably quite high.
Saw a national poll for all DC's & Byrant Haines was named the 6th best in the country.
Saw a national poll for all DC's & Byrant Haines was named the 6th best in the country.
Amazing that the 6 best DCs are all in the big ten
@hurryinghoosiers Nah, Tom Allen is somehow ranked higher than Haines in that national ranking. Which made the whole thing null and void in my mind.
Right, he was ranked 4th.
@hurryinghoosiers Nah, Tom Allen is somehow ranked higher than Haines in that national ranking. Which made the whole thing null and void in my mind.
I was joking since one poll had him 6th in the big ten and the other had him 6 nationally.
@tammany Dolson and Team really stepped up. They don't get enough credit most of the time.
BEAT PURDUE
@hurryinghoosiers Nah, Tom Allen is somehow ranked higher than Haines in that national ranking. Which made the whole thing null and void in my mind.
I know people like to criticize CTA, but there’s a reason both Penn State and Clemson wanted him as a DC. Dude can coach defense.