Pat Coogan brings wealth of experience, leadership to Indiana offensive front

Pat Coogan didn’t exactly expect to end up in southern Indiana.

But after a winding road that started in South Bend and included a stint at one of college football’s most storied programs, the 6-foot-5, 311-pound lineman found his way to the heart of the Hoosier State — and right to the heart of Indiana’s offensive line.

“I mean, I can’t say I imagined my career to go this way,” Coogan said last week after Indiana’s second fall practice. “But I’m glad it did, because I’m glad — super glad — to be here.”

Now entering his second season playing center, Coogan may not be the flashiest addition Indiana made through the transfer portal.

But make no mistake — Coogan could be the most important. He brings size, smarts and experience to a position that increasingly demands all three.

An interior lineman by trade, Coogan was thrust into the center spot last season in South Bend after losing his starting role at guard. When injuries opened a path, he stepped up.

That transition, though sudden, suited his cerebral approach to the game.

“I think it is an extreme part of the game,” Coogan said. “An extreme part of the center spot is being able to diagnose defenses, and see both sides of the field, see past the first and second lines of defense, see into the safety rotation — all those things. So it’s very mental.”

That football IQ caught the eye of Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti, who made it clear during Coogan’s visit to Bloomington just how much of a priority he was for the Hoosiers.

“Pat started at Notre Dame, a great program. Played a lot of football for them,” Cignetti said. “He was an older guy and he was looking for a home. He had a girlfriend that went to school here. We were looking for a center. Mike Katic had graduated. It was a perfect fit. Sure glad we got him, and I think he’s going to be a great leader for us.”

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Coogan’s arrival filled an immediate need, but his presence is doing more than just plugging a hole. He’s helping build a foundation.

Under the guidance of veteran offensive line coach Bob Bostad, Coogan is sharpening the details of his game with surgical precision.

“What I’m looking for myself this year is to just continue to grow in that spot,” he said. “There’s fine tunes in my game that I really want to clean up, whether it be footwork or hand placement or head placement. Stuff like that always needs attention. And things like my anchor in the pass game and my hands in the pass game — just continue to work on those.”

That attention to detail aligns perfectly with Bostad’s coaching style — precise, deliberate and demanding.

“He’s very intentional with his work,” Coogan said. “He’s very intentional with what he wants to see out of his guys. There’s no real gray area. He’s very detail-oriented. The drills we do are very purposeful. They translate directly to how the defense is going to play in practice or in the game. Everything has a purpose, and I think that’s why we see success at the line of scrimmage.”

Indiana’s offensive line is under construction, but the blueprint looks promising.

The summer months allowed the group to gel — building chemistry, trust and communication in the trenches.

“I think the summer was huge because it’s just more time with each other, around the guys, to get comfortable playing next to one another,” Coogan said. “We definitely took steps in the summer, and now fall camp is a beautiful opportunity to continue that growth. We’re not even close to where we want to be right now, but that’s the exciting part. We still have 20 more practices before game one.”

That optimism extends beyond the center spot. Coogan is surrounded by a group of talented, hungry linemen.

Veterans Kahlil Benson and Drew Evans are back on the field after recovering from injuries, and Coogan praised their determination.

“It is a credit to them and their hard work to get back on the field,” Coogan said. “During the spring, they were there mentally and physically watching everything, but obviously they couldn’t do much skill-wise and football-wise. It is a total credit to them and the hard work they put in. We are super excited to have them back.”

Coogan is also thrilled to be lining up with left tackle Carter Smith — a lineman he believes is poised for another all-conference campaign.

“He’s got a great left tackle build and he is super athletic,” Coogan said. “He uses his length really well. He’s just a really smart football player. He knows the game really well. Obviously, he’s played a ton of ball here. That is something you learn through experience, and he has a ton of it. Super excited for him.”

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As the Hoosiers push through fall camp, Cignetti is bullish on the group’s potential — and for good reason.

With Coogan calling the shots at the line and Bostad shaping the unit in his no-nonsense image, Indiana’s offensive line could be a strength entering the 2025 season.

“I’m very high on the potential of our offensive line,” Cignetti said. “Bob Bostad does a good job of coaching those guys. A tough, old-school guy. I think we’ve got a chance to be good.”

Coogan knows there’s work left to do. The mental load, the technical repetition, the endless effort — it all comes with the territory of playing one of the most demanding positions in football.

But there’s also an opportunity to lead, to steady the line, and to build something lasting in Bloomington. One detail at a time.

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