FootballScoop recently announced that Indiana Hoosiers offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan would be named 2024 FootballScoop Offensive Coordinator of the Year presented by AstroTurf.
The other finalists included (Shannon Dawson [Miami], Tim Leger [Louisiana], Brennan Marion [UNLV] and Will Stein [Oregon] via FootballScoop.com
Shanahan previously spent two seasons at the University of Pittsburgh (2014-15) where he worked primarily with the receivers including NFL veteran Tyler Boyd.
He also coached at Elon and James Madison under Curt Cignetti. Over four seasons at James Madison, Shanahan worked primarily with the wide receivers and served as the program’s recruiting coordinator (2019-20) for two seasons before his promotion to offensive coordinator ahead of the 2021 season per Indiana Athletics
At Indiana in his first season Indiana made the CFP with their only losses coming to Notre Dame and Ohio State. The Hoosiers went 11-2 and senior quarterback Kurtis Rourke finished ninth in the Heisman Trophy race, completing 222-of-320 passes (69.4 percent, eighth nationally) for 3,042 yards (9.5 per attempt, third) with 29 touchdowns against just five interceptions.
The Hoosiers ran for 165 yards per game and 4.37 per carry in 2024. Senior running back Justice Ellison led IU's ground efforts, running 159 times for 848 yards -- the most by a Hoosier since 2018 and 10 touchdowns.
He shared carries with senior Ty Son Lawton, who added 668 yards and a team-high dozen touchdowns, which tied for fourth in the Big Ten.
Mike Shanahan will have a loaded offense next season with the return of wide receivers Elijah Surratt and Omar Cooper Jr.
Surratt had 53 cacthes for 957 yards and eight touchdowns, while Omar Cooper, Jr. had 28 receptions for 594 yards (21.21 per) and seven TD's.
Fernando Mendoza the Cal transfer will take over at quarterback to replace Rourke as he enters the 2025 NFL Draft.
Thank you @FootballScoop and the previous winners for this award! It wouldn’t be possible without Coach Cig, the entire offensive staff, and most importantly, the players that made it happen! https://t.co/KwVWS1cEXH
— Mike Shanahan (@CoachShanahan_) December 31, 2024