Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has engineered perhaps the greatest turnaround in college football history across his first two seasons in Bloomington.
Although Cignetti is the central pillar in the Hoosiers’ success, so is his coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan.
Haines signed a new three-year deal with the Hoosiers on Dec. 12, while Shanahan did so Dec. 18. The Indiana Daily Student obtained both of their memorandums of understanding with the university Thursday.
Haines will make $3 million, $3.1 million and $3.2 million over each of the next three seasons. Shanahan’s compensation is $1.7 million, $1.8 million and $1.9 million across the upcoming three years.
Here’s what to know about the makeup of each of their contracts and the buyouts should they leave Indiana:
Haines’ year-by-year compensation and buyout
The 41-year-old Haines’ base salary is $450,000 per year. His outside marketing and promotional income is $2.4 million in 2026, and will be $2.5 million in 2027 and $2.6 million in 2028. He’s also owed a $150,000 retention bonus per year, payable in two installments.
Haines’ buyout is as follows should he opt to leave the Hoosiers:
- Dec. 1, 2025 – April 15, 2026: Haines would owe Indiana 100% of his then-current total annual compensation if he left for any coaching position.
- April 16, 2026 – April 15, 2027: Haines would owe 30% of his then-current total compensation if he left and accepted a coaching position at another Big Ten university. He would owe 20% of his then-current total annual compensation if he left for a coaching position at a university outside the Big Ten.
- April 16, 2027 – Jan. 15, 2028: Haines would owe 30% of his then-current total compensation if he left and accepted a coaching position at another Big Ten university. He would owe 15% of his then-current total annual compensation if he left for a coaching position at a university outside the Big Ten.
- Jan.16, 2028 – Jan.15, 2029: $0.
Here’s Haines’ buyout should Indiana fire him without cause:
- 100% of Haines’ annual compensation paid over the remaining term as if he hadn’t been terminated without cause, subject to mitigation and offset.
- In the event Curt Cignetti terminates his employment with Indiana or Indiana terminates Cignetti, Indiana may terminate Haines without cause and pay him six months of his base salary and outside, promotion and marketing income.
Shanahan’s year-by-year compensation and buyout
Like Haines, the 36-year-old Shanahan’s base salary is $450,000 per year. His outside marketing and promotional income starts at $1.15 million in 2026, $1.25 million in 2027 and $1.35 million in 2028. Shanahan will earn a $100,000 annual retention bonus.
If Shanahan leaves Bloomington for a Division I head coaching position or any coaching job with an NFL team, he owes no liquidation damages.
Here’s Shanahan’s buyout should he be fired without cause by Cignetti:
- Dec. 1, 2025 – April 15, 2026: Shanahan would owe Indiana 50% of his then- current total annual compensation if he left for any coaching position.
- April 16, 2026 – April 15, 2027: Shanahan would owe 40% if he left and accepted a coaching position at another Big Ten university. He would owe 30% of his then-current total annual compensation if he left for a coaching position at a university outside of the Big Ten.
- April 16, 2027 – April 15, 2028: Shanahan would owe 30% if he left and accepted a coaching position at another Big Ten university. He would owe 20% of his then-current total annual compensation if he left for a coaching position at a university outside of the Big Ten.
- April 16, 2028 – End of the 2028-29 Season: Shanahan would owe 30% if he left and accepted a coaching position at another Big Ten university. He would owe 15% of his then-current total annual compensation if he left for a coaching position at a university outside of the Big Ten.
Here’s Shanahan’s buyout should Indiana terminate his contract:
- 100% of Shanahan's annual compensation paid over the remaining term as if he had not been terminated without cause, subject to mitigation and offset.
- In the event Cignetti terminates his employment with Indiana or Indiana terminates Cignetti's employment, Indiana may terminate Shanahan without cause and pay him six months of his base salary and outside, promotion and marketing income. Similarly, Shanahan's buyout shall be 50% of the otherwise applicable amount.
Haines’ and Shanahan’s bonuses
If the Hoosiers’ defense finishes in the top third of the Big Ten in fewest points or yards allowed per game, Haines receives a $250,000 bonus. If Indiana’s offense ranks in the top three of the Big Ten in points per game throughout the regular season, Shanahan would earn a $100,000 bonus.
Both coaches would receive 10% of their base salaries if the Hoosiers reached a non-CFP bowl.
The two coaches receive identical bonus for Indiana’s overall season results:
- Non-CFP bowl appearance: 10% of base salary
- Nine total wins: 12% of base salary
- Ten total wins: 15% of base salary
- Eleven total wins: 20% of base salary
- Big Ten Championship game appearance: 20% of base salary
- Big Ten Championship game victory: 25% of base salary
- CFP appearance: 30% of base salary
- CFP quarterfinals appearance: 35% of base salary
- CFP semifinals appearance: 40% of base salary
- CFP National Championship Game appearance: 45% of base salary
- CFP National Championship Game victory: 50% of base salary
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) and columnist Quinn Richards (@Quinn_richa and qmrichar@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.
