BLOOMINGTON — It’s easy to see why Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti took a shine to Wisconsin offensive lineman transfer Joe Brunner.
During Brunner’s first press conference in the crimson and cream, he sounded an awful lot like his new coach when talking about his approach to protecting the quarterback.
“I think as an offensive lineman, you take so much pride in doing that,” Brunner said. “And for me, it’s just consistency. You’ve got to work, day in and day out. There’s no staying the same. You’re either getting worse or you’re getting better every single day.”
That last line is one that Cignetti has built his coaching philosophy around.
While he was in the transfer portal, Brunner learned all about Cignetti’s outlook before ever stepping foot on campus. He sought out information from a handful of former Badgers who ended up having success in Bloomington — Drew Evans, Riley Nowakowski and Trey Wedig — and they all had glowing things to say about their experience.
It didn’t take Brunner long to see that for himself.
“This is one of the best cultures in college football, if not the best, right?” Brunner said. “And that makes it super easy to transition. You’re around a bunch of guys who played a lot of football. They know how to welcome guys with open arms and how to bring them into a culture and let them develop themselves.”
The fact that none of IU’s returning starters have talked about winning the national title last year highlighted the point.
“No one talks about what this team did last year,” Brunner said. “And I think that means a lot. You know, everyone’s moved past it, and this is a new team. To see the guys who were on the team last year come in and work and not speak on it and not say anything about it, but know that this is a new chapter, that’s special.”
Brunner is eager to add to that culture as likely starting on the offensive line. He arrived to IU having started each of the last seasons at left guard. He’s been repping at both spots this spring and told reporters on Thursday he’s willing to line up wherever the team needs him.
“It’s whatever coach wants, I’ll do,” Brunner said with a smile. “I’m here to make the team better.”
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Joe Brunner says Indiana football is one of ‘best cultures’ in game
Reporting by Michael Niziolek, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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