Indiana Football Quickly Finds New Quarterbacks Coach, Co-Offensive Coordinator

Tino Sunseri returns to Bloomington to replace Chandler Whitmer on Hoosiers' staff

Feb. 3, 2026 at 9:23pm

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Indiana has finalized a deal with Tino Sunseri to become the team's new co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, replacing Chandler Whitmer who is leaving to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Sunseri previously held the same roles with the Hoosiers in 2024 when the team went 11-2 and reached the College Football Playoff.

Why it matters

Sunseri's return to Indiana is seen as a major boost for the Hoosiers' offense, as he has a proven track record of developing successful quarterbacks at his previous stops. His familiarity with the program and relationship with head coach Frank Cignetti Jr. should help provide stability and continuity for the team's offense as they transition to a new starting QB in Josh Hoover.

The details

Sunseri was Indiana's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2024, when the Hoosiers went 11-2 with second-team All-Big Ten quarterback Kurtis Rourke. After that season, Sunseri took a promotion to become UCLA's offensive coordinator, but the two sides mutually agreed to part ways after just a few games. Sunseri's previous experience also includes stints at Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida State.

  • Chandler Whitmer was announced as leaving Indiana for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday evening.
  • Indiana finalized a deal with Tino Sunseri to replace Whitmer later that same night.

The players

Tino Sunseri

Sunseri is an experienced offensive coach who previously served as Indiana's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2024, helping lead the team to an 11-2 record and a College Football Playoff appearance.

Chandler Whitmer

Whitmer was Indiana's co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, but is now leaving the program to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Kurtis Rourke

Rourke was Indiana's starting quarterback in 2024 and a second-team All-Big Ten selection, crediting much of his development to working with Sunseri.

Josh Hoover

Hoover is a quarterback transfer from TCU who will be the presumed starter for Indiana in 2026 after the departure of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.

Frank Cignetti Jr.

Cignetti is the head coach of the Indiana football team and has previously worked with Sunseri, praising his ability to develop quarterbacks.

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What they’re saying

“Coach Tino has been awesome. I've developed so much as a quarterback since working with him in January. It's been awesome to see my personal growth as well as the rest of the quarterbacks in the room. I know all of us can say that we've learned and become a better quarterback this year, and a lot of that attributes to Coach Tino.”

— Kurtis Rourke

“He's a really good quarterback coach. Has great relationships with those guys. Student of the game. Communicates really well. I think offensively we do a nice job in terms of our system, giving the quarterback answers. Every play's got an answer. We build the offense around the quarterback.”

— Frank Cignetti Jr., Head Coach

What’s next

Sunseri will now return to Bloomington and coach incoming TCU quarterback transfer Josh Hoover, who takes over as the presumed starter for the Hoosiers in 2026.

The takeaway

Sunseri's return to Indiana's coaching staff is a significant move that should provide stability and continuity for the Hoosiers' offense as they transition to a new starting quarterback. His proven track record of developing successful QBs at his previous stops makes him an ideal fit to help guide the team's offense in the coming season.