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Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines wins Broyles Award for top assistant coach

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines has been honored with the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach.

Haines, who was a finalist last year, was awarded in a ceremony on Thursday night. He helped Indiana win the national title by leading a unit that ranked second nationally in scoring defense and fourth in total defense.

The other finalists were Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, Miami defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, Ohio State defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and Texas Tech defensive coordinator Shiel Wood. The five finalists were selected from 64 nominees representing approximately 1,500 assistant coaches.

It was the 30th year the award has been given out. It was created in 1996 to recognize former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles’ history of developing successful assistant coaches.

The selection committee is made up of Hall of Fame coaches, members of the Football Writers Association of America and broadcasters. For the first time, fans had a single collective vote.

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Heisman winner and national champion QB Fernando Mendoza shifting to NFL mindset

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza is now starting to shift his mindset toward the NFL, which really was his goal when he transferred to Indiana. Mendoza and the Hoosiers just happened to have a perfect season together that ended with an improbable national championship. “It’s been a whirlwind. I think now it’s finally settled in and the dust has started to settle,” Mendoza said Monday night before receiving the Davey O’Brien Award as the nation’s top college quarterback. “The national championship, and then boom, next thing you know you’re on a new chapter.” The latest award ceremony for Mendoza, the transfer from Cal who grew up a few miles from Miami's campus, came exactly four weeks after Indiana won its first national championship 27-21 over the Hurricanes in their home stadium. It was also a week before the NFL combine, and just over two months from the opening night of the NFL draft on April 23, when Mendoza very well could be the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders and their new coach.
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