Indiana University Athletics
Media Monday: Pat Coogan & Aiden Fisher Pre-Rose Bowl Game
12/29/2025 11:00:00 PM | Football
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. –––– Indiana football's Pat Coogan and Aiden Fisher addressed the media upon arrival to Los Angeles inside the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown by IHG on Monday (December 29) ahead of the Rose Bowl Game on Thursday (January 1).
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Pat Coogan | OL | R-Sr.
On what the vibe around the team is being here at the Rose Bowl…
PC: Our coaches and staff put together a great schedule and just get us ready to roll. Get a good night's sleep tonight and get in that Thursday routine and rock-and-roll from there.
On keeping routine after three and a half weeks off...
PC: I think Coach (Curt) Cignetti has done a great job of implementing us a plan that has put us in position to be successful. It kind of starts with being where your feet are, being present in the moment. Obviously, the first week or so we didn't know who we were playing so that was time to refresh, get our bodies back, do some self-scout there and improve. And then when we found out it was 'Bama it was go-time, it got into the game prep, and we had kind of two weeks to prepare. We've had it before with bye weeks where you have two weeks to prepare for an opponent. It was good. Like I said, Coach Cig has put together a great plan, along with Coach Owings, it's been a great time off, but I know we're ready to roll. It's nice to know where you're playing and know who you're playing and start really game planning. We've had a great prep and we need to continue to do so.
Aiden Fisher | LB | Sr.
On the modified travel schedule...
AF: I think it was really good for us to get a practice in this morning and kind of handle some of the preparation, do the travel, and then be ready to go again for practice tomorrow. I think that really helps when you can not take a whole day to travel and get situated. So now we will kind of hit the ground running tomorrow morning. Easy travel. I remember coming out here for UCLA, obviously not with as much time as we do now, but it will be good to get some practices in, walkthrough while we are here.
On the start of the College Football Playoff journey...
AF: I think for us, it's just being in the moment. Be where your feet are. For us, it is just the next game. Obviously, you have to embrace the culture around the Rose Bowl and the significance of it, the history. You can't really take it for too much, you've got to treat it as the next game. Prepare like it is any other game for us.
Below is a partial transcript of the press conference, while video of the media sessions can be found on the right sidebar at IUHoosiers.com.
Pat Coogan | OL | R-Sr.
On what the vibe around the team is being here at the Rose Bowl…
PC: Our coaches and staff put together a great schedule and just get us ready to roll. Get a good night's sleep tonight and get in that Thursday routine and rock-and-roll from there.
On keeping routine after three and a half weeks off...
PC: I think Coach (Curt) Cignetti has done a great job of implementing us a plan that has put us in position to be successful. It kind of starts with being where your feet are, being present in the moment. Obviously, the first week or so we didn't know who we were playing so that was time to refresh, get our bodies back, do some self-scout there and improve. And then when we found out it was 'Bama it was go-time, it got into the game prep, and we had kind of two weeks to prepare. We've had it before with bye weeks where you have two weeks to prepare for an opponent. It was good. Like I said, Coach Cig has put together a great plan, along with Coach Owings, it's been a great time off, but I know we're ready to roll. It's nice to know where you're playing and know who you're playing and start really game planning. We've had a great prep and we need to continue to do so.
Aiden Fisher | LB | Sr.
On the modified travel schedule...
AF: I think it was really good for us to get a practice in this morning and kind of handle some of the preparation, do the travel, and then be ready to go again for practice tomorrow. I think that really helps when you can not take a whole day to travel and get situated. So now we will kind of hit the ground running tomorrow morning. Easy travel. I remember coming out here for UCLA, obviously not with as much time as we do now, but it will be good to get some practices in, walkthrough while we are here.
On the start of the College Football Playoff journey...
AF: I think for us, it's just being in the moment. Be where your feet are. For us, it is just the next game. Obviously, you have to embrace the culture around the Rose Bowl and the significance of it, the history. You can't really take it for too much, you've got to treat it as the next game. Prepare like it is any other game for us.
#NeverDaunted
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
LB
/ FootballFB: Pat Coogan Media Availability (12/29/25)
Monday, December 29
FB: Bryant Haines Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28
FB: Aiden Fisher Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28
FB: D'Angelo Ponds Media Availability (12/28/25)
Sunday, December 28