Indiana has officially extended the contract of offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan for three additional years, according to a source familiar with the agreement who spoke to The Associated Press on Thursday. The source requested to remain anonymous as the athletic department had not yet made a public announcement about the extension.
While the financial terms of the contract were not disclosed, it is anticipated that Shanahan will emerge as one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in the nation, following in the footsteps of defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, who also secured a three-year extension last week. This decision ensures that Curt Cignetti, a two-time AP Coach of the Year, retains two of his most trusted and effective assistants as the team prepares for the upcoming season.
Cignetti himself received a substantial eight-year contract extension worth $93 million back in October. Shanahan, now in his second season leading the offense and coaching the receivers for the Hoosiers, has made significant contributions to the team”s success. The quarterbacks coach, Chandler Whitmer, shares the co-offensive coordinator title alongside Shanahan.
The coaching staff has played a pivotal role in guiding the Hoosiers to a remarkable 13-0 record this season, marking their first Big Ten championship since 1967 and their first outright league title since 1945. The team also achieved its first undefeated regular season and secured the No. 1 ranking in school history, alongside producing their first Heisman Trophy winner, quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
The top-seeded Hoosiers are set to start the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl on New Year”s Day, where they will face either No. 8 Oklahoma or No. 9 Alabama.
Shanahan, who is not related to the former NFL coach of the same name, began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Pittsburgh, in 2014. He joined Cignetti”s staff at Indiana University-Pennsylvania in 2016, taking on the role of receivers coach, a position he played during his college years. After Cignetti”s move to Elon in 2017, Shanahan followed him there, serving as both the receivers coach and recruiting coordinator for two seasons.
In 2019, Shanahan transitioned to James Madison, continuing in the same coaching capacity before being elevated to offensive coordinator in 2021. He then accompanied Cignetti to Indiana in 2022. Over the past two seasons, the Hoosiers have consistently ranked among the highest-scoring offenses in the Football Bowl Subdivision, with their quarterbacks finishing in the top 10 for the Heisman voting in 2024 and 2025.
To stay informed on the latest updates and poll notifications regarding the AP Top 25 throughout the season, sign up for alerts.
For more information on college football, visit AP college football.
