Is Mike Shanahan related to NFL coaching family? What to know about IU offensive coordinator
It’s clear that Mike Shanahan means a great deal to Indiana football’s success.
The Hoosiers’ offensive coordinator received a new deal that will pay him a handsome penny for his services directing the offense and developing receivers for coach Curt Cignetti. Shanahan played wide receiver at Pitt, where he was also a graduate assistant for two years before joining Cignetti’s staff at all four of his stops, from Division II Indiana-Pennsylvania (IUP), to FCS Elon, to FBS James Madison.
IU has had several receivers become big-play receivers this year, or reach a heightened level from where they were. Elijah Sarratt has multiple game-winning touchdowns. Omar Cooper Jr. had a science-defying catch to beat Penn State. Charlie Becker has emerged as the go-to star receiver of the future from filling in for injuries to not being able to take him out of the lineup.
Shanahan’s name conjures pictures of multiple generations of NFL coaching. However, he is not related to those Shanahans.
Here’s what to know about IU’s offensive coordinator.
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No. Mike Shanahan — the NFL coach — guided three NFL teams, most notably the Denver Broncos from 1995 to 2007, winning Super Bowls after the 1997 and ’98 seasons. His son, Kyle, is in his ninth season as coach of the San Francisco 49ers.
The 35-year-old IU offensive coordinator played wide receiver at Pitt from 2009-12, with 159 receptions for 2,276 yards (14.3 per) and 11 touchdowns. He spent time in the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers organizations, but did not play in the NFL.
- 2014-15: Pitt graduate assistant
- 2016: Indiana-Pennsylvania receivers coach
- 2017-18: Elon receivers coach, recruiting coordinator
- 2019-20: James Madison receivers coach, recruiting coordinator
- 2021-23: James Madison offensive coordinator, receivers coach
- 2024-25: Indiana football offensive coordinator, receivers coach
Shanahan is 35 years old.
Shanahan signed a new contract in December that will pay him $2.4 million in the first year of his deal, then $2.5 million and then $2.6 million. That more than doubles his salary of $1.15 million from last season.
Shanahan would owe 50% of his salary if he leaves prior to April 15, but he’d be subject to his full buyout if fired without cause, subject to mitigation.
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