The Hoosiers would finish the 2019 regular season with an 8–4 overall record (5–4 B1G) and become bowl eligible by October 26; the 8–4 overall season record had not been accomplished since Indiana's 1993 season. On November 30, 2019, the Hoosiers defeated in-state rival Purdue 44–41, in two overtimes, to win the Old Oaken Bucket for the first time since 2016. On December 8, 2019, Indiana was selected as a participant in the 2020 Gator Bowl against Tennessee; the Hoosiers would go on to lose 22–23 to the Volunteers. Following the culmination of the regular season, both Allen and DeBoer would receive watchlist nominations for their respective Coach of the Year awards, including DeBoer being named a semifinalist for the Broyles Award. On December 17, 2019, Kalen DeBoer was hired by Fresno State as its newest head coach; DeBoer had served only one year as the Hoosiers' offensive coordinator. Following the departure of DeBoer to Fresno State, Indiana announced the promotion of tight ends' coach Nick Sheridan to offensive coordinator and running backs' coach Mike Hart to associate head coach.