Inside the Headset Presented by CoachComm
Bryant Haines, Defensive Coordinator – Indiana
February 26, 2026
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by Bryant Haines, Defensive Coordinator at Indiana University and the 2025 AFCA FBS Assistant Coach of the Year.
In this conversation, Coach Haines shares the experiences that shaped his rise through the coaching profession — from his early days as a graduate assistant to coordinating at the Power Four level. He reflects on learning to take ownership of small responsibilities early in his career, developing leadership skills as a young coach, and recognizing the moments when he began seeing the game differently.
Haines discusses the importance of mentorship throughout his journey, including his long-standing professional relationship with head coach Curt Cignetti, and how different coaching stops across the country helped prepare him for leadership opportunities. He also provides insight into navigating career decisions, embracing uncomfortable growth moments, and managing the transition into a full-time defensive coordinator role.
The conversation also explores the challenges and rewards that come with building winning programs, lessons learned during championship runs, and the significance of being named the 2025 AFCA FBS Assistant Coach of the Year.
Follow Coach Haines & Indiana Football
X: @Coach_BHaines
X: @IndianaFootball
Watch & Listen to Inside the Headset
📺 Subscribe on YouTube for full episodes and exclusive content
🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform
🔗 https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
New episodes of Inside the Headset drop every week featuring conversations with football coaches from across all levels of the game.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Bryant Haines, Defensive Coordinator – Indiana
On this week’s episode of Inside the Headset – Presented by CoachComm, we’re joined by Bryant Haines, Defensive Coordinator at Indiana University and the 2025 AFCA FBS Assistant Coach of the Year.
In this conversation, Coach Haines shares the experiences that shaped his rise through the coaching profession — from his early days as a graduate assistant to coordinating at the Power Four level. He reflects on learning to take ownership of small responsibilities early in his career, developing leadership skills as a young coach, and recognizing the moments when he began seeing the game differently.
Haines discusses the importance of mentorship throughout his journey, including his long-standing professional relationship with head coach Curt Cignetti, and how different coaching stops across the country helped prepare him for leadership opportunities. He also provides insight into navigating career decisions, embracing uncomfortable growth moments, and managing the transition into a full-time defensive coordinator role.
The conversation also explores the challenges and rewards that come with building winning programs, lessons learned during championship runs, and the significance of being named the 2025 AFCA FBS Assistant Coach of the Year.
Follow Coach Haines & Indiana Football
X: @Coach_BHaines
X: @IndianaFootball
Watch & Listen to Inside the Headset
📺 Subscribe on YouTube for full episodes and exclusive content
🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform
🔗 https://linktr.ee/insidetheheadset
New episodes of Inside the Headset drop every week featuring conversations with football coaches from across all levels of the game.
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
