Indiana football parting ways with offensive coordinator Walt Bell

The Indiana football program is parting ways with offensive coordinator Walt Bell, it announced on Sunday. This follows Indiana’s 44-17 loss to Maryland on Saturday afternoon.

The Indiana offense has struggled in Bell’s two years in Bloomington. Last season, Indiana averaged 328.3 yards and 23.3 points per game. Through five games this year, Indiana is averaging 20.8 points per game, 13th in the Big Ten. Against FBS opponents, Indiana is averaging just 12.8 points per game in regulation. Indiana scored 12 of its 29 points against Akron in week four in four overtime periods.

Indiana is 2-18 in the last 20 Big Ten games and has given up 403 points in losses — an average of 22.4 points per loss. 10 losses have been by at least 20 points.

Indiana enters a bye week this upcoming week.

Below is the full release.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – Indiana head football coach Tom Allen announced on Sunday (Oct.1) afternoon that Rod Carey will replace Walt Bell as the program’s offensive coordinator, effective immediately. Carey has served as a quality control coach with the Hoosiers since the start of the 2022 season, while Bell served as offensive coordinator over the same period.

“I felt we need a new direction on the offensive side of the ball,” Allen said. “Rod brings a wealth of experience and success along with a familiarity with our personnel.

“I wish Walt and his family the best moving forward and thank him for his contributions to our program.”

Carey went 64-50 as head coach at Northern Illinois University (2012-18) and Temple University (2019-21) with seven bowl appearances.

He posted a 52-30 overall mark and a 38-10 Mid-American Conference record at Northern Illinois, with two MAC championships and four West Division titles.

NIU went 12-0 in his first full campaign and was ranked nine-straight weeks, rising as high as No. 16 in the national polls. Carey coached seven All-Americans, including the program’s first two-time All-American in defensive end Sutton Smith.

He joined the Huskies as an offensive line coach in 2011, added run game coordinator duties in 2012, and took over as offensive coordinator following the team’s first game that same campaign. Carey was named head coach on Dec 2, 2012.

SEE ALSO: ‘We needed a spark’: QB situation in flux for Indiana football as Tayven Jackson benched for Brendan Sorsby in loss to Maryland

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