Indiana football brings back ex-Hoosiers QB coach Tino Sunseri

Sunseri returns to Bloomington after a stint as UCLA's offensive coordinator

Feb. 4, 2026 at 12:55am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Fresh off an unprecedented national championship run, Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti is keeping the good vibes rolling by rehiring Tino Sunseri as the team's quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator. Sunseri, who was the mastermind behind Kurtis Rourke's breakout 2024 campaign, is returning to a program that just completed a historic 16-0 season and won the College Football Playoff National Championship.

Why it matters

Sunseri's return to Indiana signals the program's commitment to maintaining its offensive success after the departure of star quarterback Fernando Mendoza. As the Hoosiers look to avoid being a "one-hit wonder," Sunseri's experience developing quarterbacks will be crucial in transitioning to a new signal-caller.

The details

Sunseri previously served as Indiana's quarterbacks coach in 2024, helping the Hoosiers' offense become a juggernaut. He then took the offensive coordinator job at UCLA, but the two sides parted ways after a rocky 0-4 start. Now, Sunseri is returning to Bloomington to replace Chandler Whitmer, who is leaving to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coaching staff.

  • Sunseri was Indiana's quarterbacks coach in 2024.
  • Sunseri took the offensive coordinator job at UCLA in 2025.
  • Sunseri and UCLA parted ways after a 0-4 start in 2025.
  • Sunseri is returning to Indiana as quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator in 2026.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers football team, who led the program to a national championship in 2025.

Tino Sunseri

A former Indiana quarterback who is returning to the program as the quarterbacks coach and co-offensive coordinator after a stint as UCLA's offensive coordinator.

Fernando Mendoza

The Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback who led Indiana to the national championship in 2025 before declaring for the NFL draft.

Josh Hoover

The TCU transfer quarterback who will be tasked with replacing Mendoza as Indiana's starting QB.

Chandler Whitmer

The former Indiana quarterbacks coach who is leaving the program to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' coaching staff.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

With Mendoza likely headed to the NFL as a top draft pick, Sunseri's primary task will be developing TCU transfer Josh Hoover, who arrives in Bloomington after throwing for over 3,400 yards last season.

The takeaway

Sunseri's return to Indiana signals the program's commitment to maintaining its offensive success and avoiding being a "one-hit wonder" after their national championship run. His experience developing quarterbacks will be crucial as the Hoosiers transition to a new signal-caller in Josh Hoover.