Aiden Fisher leads Indiana defense as it looks to make good on ‘bad intentions’

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – If you equate time spent on a football roster and coaches with the structure of college classes, linebacker Aiden Fisher is a player who has reached the .400 level in terms of his knowledge of what Indiana coach Curt Cignetti and defensive coordinator Bryant want. Haynes. from him within the limits of his protection.

Fisher has played for both coaches since the 2022 season at James Madison. He was promoted to starter for the 2023 season at JMU and took on the same role in the middle of Indiana’s linebacker corps when he arrived with Cignetti in Bloomington.

As No. 5 Indiana prepares for its biggest test of the season with a trip to No. 2 Ohio State at noon ET on Saturday, it’s good to have a steady hand at the tiller over the Hoosiers’ fate. Fisher is the guy defending Indiana.

Fisher Jr. demonstrated his reliability. He leads Indiana in tackles with 98 tackles, including 61 scoring tackles. Having a lot of assisted tackles means one thing: Fischer is in a lot of games. He surrounds ball handlers and receivers and is rarely caught out of position.

With Fisher and fellow veteran linebacker Jaylin Walker both veterans and de facto captains (Cignetti doesn’t name official captains) of the Cignetti/Haines system, Indiana’s coaching staff was more than willing to put more into their efforts.

And as one of the veterans, Fisher sets the tone for how the defensive unit perceives what is asked of it.

“He definitely puts a lot into our mission, but when he does it, we can handle it. I think the most important thing is that we as a unit are doing a great job of making sure we’re on the same page,” Fisher said Tuesday.

“We see almost every image you can think of, but we are very well prepared. With all these things being thrown at us, we make sure we have all the loose ends covered,” Fisher added.

One of the strengths of Indiana’s defense is the multiple offense that Indiana creates with its front six. The tricks are plentiful and have made the task of blocking Indiana defenders a chore for opponents.

Expect more from the Buckeyes. Fisher said the level of detail in Ohio’s action plan is “high.”

“(Haines) has done a great job on the new fronts we are leading. How we use certain players in certain situations,” Fisher said. “It’s definitely more than last year and I think it’s kind of his development and how great he’s been here and taken the next step forward.”

Part of Saturday’s mission will include fighting Ohio’s partisan mob, which is expected to number more than 100,000. Indiana has never faced such a hostile environment. Crowd noise was broadcast into Memorial Stadium during practice this week, but it only closely simulates the real thing.

Indiana is bracing for the noise by trying to take it out of the equation.

“I would say that a lot of things will not be passed down orally. There will be a lot of signals, false signals, everything else to make sure we are on the same page,” Fisher said.

“When we come out of the game, we will talk to each other, get everything together. But when we are on the field, there will be a lot of signals and things like that,” Fisher added.

Fischer’s connection with Cignetti is unbreakable. Like many players who claim the same loyalty to their coach, Fischer’s loyalty is rooted in Cignetti’s sincere approach.

“A lot of people say certain things and do things differently. It’s all wrong with him. You know, the way he talks, he does what he says,” Fisher said.

During Fisher’s time with Cignetti, the Fredericksburg, Virginia native’s growth continued unabated. In 2022, JMU went 8-3 and won the Sun Belt Conference East Division, but was ineligible for the Sun Belt Championship as JMU moved from the FCS to the FBS.

In 2023, JMU finished 11–2, reached No. 18 in the Associated Press Top 25, and the team was selected to a bowl game.

Indiana is unbeaten at 10-0 in 2024 and plays Ohio State for a chance to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Why doesn’t Cignetti fall into the traps that other coaches—even winning ones—sometimes fall into when it comes to highs and lows? Fisher believes it has to do with what Cignetti gets out of his players.

“The hunger and the edge that this team and his past teams (have had) starts with Coach Sig,” Fisher said.

“I think the most important thing about this team is that you look at the transfers that come here. You look at guys who have been here and haven’t won much. Everyone has a feeling of victory,” Fischer continued. “We’re going to do everything we can to keep that feeling going. A lot of these guys were under-recruited. They feel like they should have been here all along.”

Cignetti also instills a sense of balance in his players, something some coaches are unwilling or unable to do. He repeatedly talks about not letting negative moments in the game turn into something more than what they are at the moment. Fisher noted that the Hoosiers will have to rely on Cignetti’s convictions as Indiana will face both the good and the bad against the Buckeyes.

Mostly, though, Fisher represents the confidence and belief that Cignetti and his coaches have made these Hoosiers believe. The aggressive scheme Indiana runs fits that belief.

Fischer wouldn’t want it any other way.

“I love it. A lot of defense, you look at them and they’re trying to survive the game and let their offense win the game,” Fisher said.

“Everything is different here. If we need to win the game, our defense will win the game. This is what I really like. I like the aggressive aspect of it and I think it suits me and a lot of players in this defense,” Fisher added. “They want to go after the quarterback and they want to get to the ball carrier with bad intentions.”