Last season, Notre Dame stormed though the College Football Playoff on their way to the title game before falling to Ohio State in the national title game.

One theme along the Fighting Irish journey to the playoff was a pregame speech offensive lineman Pat Coogan to his fellow lineman before every game. Those pregame moments that went viral gave Coogan cult hero status in South Bend.

By Jan. 24, 2025, Coogan was in the transfer portal. A week later, he was an Indiana Hoosier.

Entering the playoff for the second-straight season, Coogan will look to go a step further and ending his season with a national title win.

To do that, he and the No. 1 ranked Indiana Hoosiers will have to beat the No. 9 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1, 3 p.m., ESPN).

On Saturday, Coogan talked about a return to the playoff, this time with Indiana and what it means to him.

“Well, you know, I’ve always said it’s been a crazy journey, and college football has never been the way I foresee it, or how it’s gone, but I’m a firm believer, and everything happens for a reason, so I am overly gracious and grateful to be here,” Coogan said.

“Every little decision I’ve made down the road, what has led me to here, and I’m totally grateful for that, because, you know, just this season alone has been, has been a dream and has been an unbelievable opportunity. But I’ve also just met wonderful people here and some of my closest friends. So just really, really grateful for everything that’s led me here.”

This season, Coogan carried over his solid play from Notre Dame, starting every game at center making the All-Big Ten team second team at the position.

The Hoosiers have leaned on Coogan’s leadership and experience navigating this season, a historic season that saw Indiana finish the season undefeated with a Big Ten title, No. 1 ranking, and Heisman Trophy winning quarterback, Fernando Mendoza.

Coogan’s teammate have valued his leadership during his brief time and appreciate how he’s acclimated himself to the team, which has helped sustain Indiana’s success.

“He’s a very seasoned player, Indiana offensive lineman Carter Smith said.

“And the way that he’s done it, being at Notre Dame last year, he knows what it’s like making it all the way to the to the big game. I think he’s really humbled himself this year too, to make sure that everybody in our room is on top of it, just like I am and just like he is. We want to make sure that everyone in the room knows their assignments for the weeks to come. And he’s treating it a lot the same as last year, but you know, (Curt) Cignetti’s philosophy is a little bit different, and he’s bought into that too. So, it’s great to have someone as well seasoned and someone who’s been through it like he has”.