Curt Cignetti putting together his staff, bringing multiple assistants from JMU to Indiana football

Curt Cignetti was officially hired by the Indiana football program on Thursday afternoon and the next step of business is securing a staff.

He moved quickly and according to reports, he is expected to bring ‘at least’ three assistants with him to Bloomington.

247Sports National Analyst Matt Zenitz reports that Cignetti is expected to bring offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and quarterbacks coach Tina Sunseri.

HoosierIllustrated.com has confirmed those reports.

That tio has helped Cignetti put together some of the top offenses and defenses in the country over his time at James Madison.

In his first year at James Madison the Dukes led the nation in total defense (270.2 yards), third in scoring offense (40.0 points), scoring defense (15.7) and rushing defense (74.8) and 10th in total offense (465.8) and rushing offense (242.9).

Last year, the first year at the FBS level, James Madison ranked top 15 in 12 different categories. That included second in rushing defense (79.5 yards), tackles for loss per game (8.6) and first downs allowed per contest (13.8). They ranked fourth in sacks per game (3.5), fifth in total defense (289.5 yards), sixth in third down defense (.284) and time of possession (33:44). Additionally, seventh in both yards per completion (14.5) and fumble recoveries (13), 13th in scoring offense (37.0 points) and 14th in both takeaways (24) and pick-sixes (2).

This year, they ranked in the top-25 in numerous categories as well.

Curt Cignetti was named the 2023 Sun Belt Coach of the Year in addition to quarterback Jordan McCloud being named the conference Player of the Year and defensive lineman Jalen Green the Defensive Player of the Year.

McCloud totaled 3,413 passing yards this year with 32 passing touchdowns and just nine interceptions. He added 311 yards on the ground with eight additional scores. He had a 68.9 percent completion rate and 167.9 quarterback rating.

He had five 300+ yard passing games.

Since 2021, the last three quarterbacks of Cole Johnson, Todd Centeio and McCloud have combined for 10,816 yards, 119 touchdowns and just 18 interceptions.

For Green, he had 59 total tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and one touchdown. He was named a Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist, the first in JMU history.

Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines was named a Broyles Semifinals as well — given to the top assistant coach in the country.

Overall, three Offensive Player of the Year honors and two Defensive Player of the Year honors have happened at the conference level under Cignetti.

This is a major addition to the Indiana football program.

SEE ALSO: Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti receives ringing endorsement from Nick Saban

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