Breaking News: Former Notre Dame Center Pat Coogan Decommits and Flips Commitment to Indiana
In a surprising move, former Notre Dame offensive line commit Pat Coogan has decommitted from the Fighting Irish and committed to Indiana University. The decision marks a significant shift in Coogan’s recruitment, as he had been a key verbal pledge to Notre Dame for over a year. Coogan, a highly rated center prospect, made the announcement on his social media this morning, sending shockwaves through both Notre Dame and Indiana fanbases.
Coogan, a native of Westwood, Massachusetts, had been committed to Notre Dame since the summer of 2023. He was widely regarded as one of the top centers in the 2025 recruiting class, with excellent size (6’4″, 300 lbs) and the versatility to play multiple positions on the offensive line. His commitment to the Fighting Irish was seen as a major win for the program, as Coogan had been highly sought after by several top programs across the country.
However, in a twist that caught many by surprise, Coogan announced this morning that he had decommitted from Notre Dame. In a statement posted to Twitter, Coogan explained his decision to flip his commitment, citing a desire for a new opportunity and a closer connection with the coaching staff at Indiana.
“After much thought and reflection, I have decided to decommit from Notre Dame and commit to the University of Indiana,” Coogan wrote. “I want to thank the Notre Dame coaching staff and fans for their support, but after visiting Indiana and building a relationship with Coach [Tom] Allen and the rest of the staff, I feel this is the best place for me to continue my academic and athletic journey. I’m excited to be part of the Hoosier family.”
Indiana’s football program has made significant strides under head coach Tom Allen, and Coogan’s commitment is seen as another important piece in their push to become a more competitive force in the Big Ten. The Hoosiers have made notable improvements on the recruiting trail in recent years, and securing a top-tier offensive lineman like Coogan could be a game-changer for their future.
For Notre Dame, this marks a setback in what had been a strong recruiting class, but the Fighting Irish remain focused on rebuilding their offensive line. Notre Dame’s coaching staff, led by head coach Marcus Freeman, has made it clear that they are committed to continuing to attract elite talent to South Bend. Despite the loss of Coogan, the Irish are expected to continue their pursuit of top-tier offensive line prospects in the coming months.
Coogan’s decision to decommit is part of a larger trend in college football recruiting, where athletes are becoming increasingly fluid in their commitments. With the rise of the transfer portal and early signing periods, recruits are now faced with more options and are more willing to reassess their choices as their recruitment evolves.
The timing of Coogan’s flip is notable, as it comes just weeks before National Signing Day in February, a critical time for schools to finalize their recruiting classes. As the signing period approaches, schools across the country are looking to make final pushes for top-tier prospects, and Coogan’s decision will certainly influence the rest of the 2025 recruiting cycle.
For Indiana, landing a player of Coogan’s caliber is a significant achievement and signals the program’s continued upward trajectory. For Notre Dame, this decommitment will undoubtedly sting, but they remain one of the top programs in college football and will likely bounce back quickly in the recruiting game.
As National Signing Day nears, all eyes will be on Coogan to see how he fits into Indiana’s plans and how Notre Dame adjusts to this unexpected shift in the recruiting landscape.
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