BLOOMINGTON — Indiana football transfer offensive lineman Pat Coogan certainly knows what a winner looks like.
Coogan anchored Notre Dame’s offensive line last season and regularly went viral for his fiery pre-game speeches during a 14-game win streak that culminated with an appearance in the finals of the College Football Playoff. The Fighting Irish had three 10-win seasons during his tenure and was 21-5 in games he started.
Notre Dame’s first round matchup against Indiana was still fresh on Coogan’s mind when he hit the portal after the team’s 34-23 loss to Ohio State. He was seeking a contender to sign and knew the Hoosiers had an opening at center with Mike Katic exhausting his eligibility.
“It was an unbelievable opportunity,” Coogan said after IU’s practice on March 27. “Obviously, I saw the year that those guys had last year and the momentum in this program right now is remarkable. I couldn’t wait to be a part of it.”
While he’s only been in Bloomington for less than two months, he’s already seen a lot of similarities between the programs.
“The greatest teams are always led by the players,” Coogan said. “There are great coaches (here), but the greatest teams are always led by the players with leadership in the locker room. I see that here, I really do.”
He rattled off a list of IU veterans — linebacker Aidan Fisher, defensive end Mikail Kamara and fellow offensive linemen Carter Smith and Bray Lynch — who are fueling the winning culture they established last year in Curt Cignetti’s first season.
“It’s just compiling dudes that want to make each other better,” Coogan said. “They are really in it for one goal, to be the best version of themselves and that will lead them to be the best team on the field on Saturday.”
Coogan wants to add his name to that list as does Cal transfer quarterback Fernando Mendoza,
Mendoza cited Cignetti’s winning reputation — he’s never had a losing record in 14 seasons as a head coach with an overall record of 130-37 during that stretch — as a key factor in his own decision to sign with the Hoosiers.
The junior was IU’s highest-rated transfer during the 2025 recruiting cycle. He ranked No. 21 overall in the 247 Sports’ transfer rankings and was the No. 3 ranked quarterback.
“He holds everyone to a high standard, his program always wins,” Mendoza said. “Those are two things I want — to be held to a high standard and win — I’m extremely grateful to have him as a head coach.”
It’s essentially the recruiting pitch Cignetti laid out for prospective recruits — particularly quarterbacks — when he told them to “Google Me” early in his tenure. The success Kurtis Rourke had last season only bolstered his well-earned reputation. The former Ohio quarterback was the fourth player in IU history to throw for 3,000-plus yards and set a program record with 29 passing touchdowns.
Coogan didn’t play with Rourke, but Notre Dame had success with a transfer quarterback of its own in Riley Leonard. Leonard had career-high 3,767 yards of total offense and 38 touchdowns and brought many of the same qualities to the huddle as Mendoza.
“I see gamers,” Coogan said of Leonard and Mendoza. “That’s a great compliment to give someone. They know how to get the job done no matter the circumstances.”
How many wins will it add up to? Coogan isn’t sure, but he’s excited to find out
“It’s game on, now,” Coogan said with a smile.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
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