Penn State is reportedly considering a Big Ten defensive coordinator for the same position.
Per a report by Greg Pickel of Blue-White Illustrated, PSU is looking at and has interviewed Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines for the job.
Haines just wrapped up his first season at Indiana. He came over with first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, who he worked under at James Madison. Year 1 for Cignetti and Haines was a smash hit. Indiana had the No. 2 total defense in the country and shocked everybody by finishing 11-2 and making the College Football Playoff.
ANOTHER INDIANA GUY?
BLOOMINGTON, IN – NOVEMBER 18: Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen following a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and Indiana Hoosiers on November 18, 2023 at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, IN. (Photo by James Black/Icon Sportswire)
Something Penn State fans will likely pick up on instantly is that Haines comes from the same place where Penn State hired its most recent DC. Tom Allen was the boss at Indiana before Cignetti. Penn State picked him up following his firing, which took place after the 2023 season. Allenโs stay at Penn State turned out to be a short one. Just days after the teamโs season ended with a heartbreaking loss to Notre Dame in the Orange Bowl/College Football Playoff semifinal, Allen took the same position at Clemson.
MORE ABOUT HAINES
Hereโs some more information about Haines. For one, he was a finalist for the 2024 Broyles Award. Thatโs an honor presented annually to the nationโs top assistant. Heโs also drawn interest for other positions. Earlier this winter, he was a candidate for the Ball State head coaching job. On3 also reported that if Michigan DC Wink Martindale departs for the NFL, Haines would โlikely be involved in the search.โ
Penn State opens its 2025 season against Utah State at Beaver Stadium Aug. 30.
