Coach Pat Kuntz in practice tackling gear, ready for his linemen. By Bob Kelly
Feature writer
It was not long ago that Southside Indianapolis native Pat Kuntz wreaked havoc on the football field as a player, where he enjoyed much success. Now he is helping guide the Indiana University football team to a place that many fans and the entire collegiate sports world never thought would be possible – a national championship.
Kuntz, a former linebacker at Roncalli High School and the University of Notre Dame, did his best to put fear in opponents on the field. As a coach in his second stint with the Hoosiers, Kuntz prepares the players for a game by leading the defensive tackles.
Head coach Curt Cignetti helped guide the Hoosiers to the precipice of achieving Indiana’s second-ever unbeaten season in football. The last time the Hoosiers finished unbeaten was in 1945, when the team finished the season with a 9-0-1 record.
This season, Indiana University has not only won every game on its schedule this season, but it has plowed over its opponents convincingly, including its most recent victory via a 56-22 win over No. 5 Oregon in the semifinals of the college football playoffs.
Kuntz explained how the players approach each game. “It’s a high expectation, and our standard is high for our players up front on the line,” he told The Southsider Voice. “If we can do the things we are supposed to do each week and improve each week, then we will put ourselves in a position to get better.”
One of the mantras used by the Hoosiers for each player is-- do your job or “DYJ.” “This motto is not just for the players, but for everybody,” Kuntz explained. “It is for our trainers, players, coaches, secretaries, and everyone in the program. You have to be 1/11th of the equation on the team, which means if everyone does their job, it will put the team in a position to do something positive.” It looks like everyone has lived up to their motto quite well this season.
Kuntz, who was a four-year letter winner for the Irish, was named lineman of the year in 2007 and 2008. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Roncalli, where he was the defensive line coach from 2010-2013. Kuntz was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2014 and 2015 campaigns in his final two seasons at Roncalli.
Kuntz described what it is like to be part of Cignetti’s staff. “He always talks about how every play is 0-0, and it has a life of its own,” he said. “He trusts the defensive staff to operate and put the players in a position to be successful.”
The defense for Indiana allows only 260.9 yards per game, while linebacker Rolijah Hardy is the leader in sacks with eight, and the tackles leader is Louis Moore. The players can make Cignetti, Kuntz, faithful fans, and others happy if they can deliver their first College Football title on Monday.
Feature writer
It was not long ago that Southside Indianapolis native Pat Kuntz wreaked havoc on the football field as a player, where he enjoyed much success. Now he is helping guide the Indiana University football team to a place that many fans and the entire collegiate sports world never thought would be possible – a national championship.
Kuntz, a former linebacker at Roncalli High School and the University of Notre Dame, did his best to put fear in opponents on the field. As a coach in his second stint with the Hoosiers, Kuntz prepares the players for a game by leading the defensive tackles.
Head coach Curt Cignetti helped guide the Hoosiers to the precipice of achieving Indiana’s second-ever unbeaten season in football. The last time the Hoosiers finished unbeaten was in 1945, when the team finished the season with a 9-0-1 record.
This season, Indiana University has not only won every game on its schedule this season, but it has plowed over its opponents convincingly, including its most recent victory via a 56-22 win over No. 5 Oregon in the semifinals of the college football playoffs.
Kuntz explained how the players approach each game. “It’s a high expectation, and our standard is high for our players up front on the line,” he told The Southsider Voice. “If we can do the things we are supposed to do each week and improve each week, then we will put ourselves in a position to get better.”
One of the mantras used by the Hoosiers for each player is-- do your job or “DYJ.” “This motto is not just for the players, but for everybody,” Kuntz explained. “It is for our trainers, players, coaches, secretaries, and everyone in the program. You have to be 1/11th of the equation on the team, which means if everyone does their job, it will put the team in a position to do something positive.” It looks like everyone has lived up to their motto quite well this season.
Kuntz, who was a four-year letter winner for the Irish, was named lineman of the year in 2007 and 2008. He began his coaching career at his alma mater, Roncalli, where he was the defensive line coach from 2010-2013. Kuntz was promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2014 and 2015 campaigns in his final two seasons at Roncalli.
Kuntz described what it is like to be part of Cignetti’s staff. “He always talks about how every play is 0-0, and it has a life of its own,” he said. “He trusts the defensive staff to operate and put the players in a position to be successful.”
The defense for Indiana allows only 260.9 yards per game, while linebacker Rolijah Hardy is the leader in sacks with eight, and the tackles leader is Louis Moore. The players can make Cignetti, Kuntz, faithful fans, and others happy if they can deliver their first College Football title on Monday.
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