This week, Indiana University made headlines by naming its football coach, Curt Cignetti, the third-highest paid coach in the country. Yes, you read that correctly! On Thursday, the university announced that Cignetti had agreed to a new eight-year contract worth an average of $11.6 million per year, which will keep him in Bloomington through the 2033 season. This lucrative deal ranks him behind only Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Ohio State’s Ryan Day in 2025.
The decision to invest significantly in Cignetti reflects a massive commitment not only to him but also to the sport of football at a university traditionally known for its basketball excellence. This announcement comes just days after Penn State parted ways with coach James Franklin, creating an intriguing potential opening for Cignetti, a Pittsburgh native. In a video released by the university, Cignetti expressed his pride, stating, “I couldn’t be more proud to be a Hoosier, and I plan on retiring as a Hoosier.”
Cignetti is recognized as the architect of one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football history. In his first season, he transformed the losingest program in the sport into a College Football Playoff contender. Now in his second season, he has led the Hoosiers to a historic No. 3 ranking in the AP poll—their highest ever—following their first win against a top-five team on the road. With a victory over Oregon last Saturday, Indiana has firmly established itself as a national championship contender.
Retaining Cignetti is not just a significant achievement for Indiana; it’s a win for college football as a whole. Too often, we see coaches elevate programs only to leave for seemingly bigger opportunities. In an era defined by the NIL and transfer portal, Cignetti’s decision to stay in Bloomington is both rare and refreshing. At 64 years old, he chose to remain with a program that appreciates his efforts, rather than pursuing positions with college football's more established programs or SEC schools that may need new coaches.
Cignetti's career journey has been anything but conventional. He left a coveted position as an assistant coach at Alabama under Nick Saban to become the head coach at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania more than a decade ago. There, he revitalized a struggling program, winning two conference titles and reaching the NCAA playoffs three times. His success continued at Elon, where he turned around a program that had endured six consecutive losing seasons, leading them to the FCS playoffs in his first year.
With his impressive track record, Cignetti has demonstrated that he can build a competitive program, regardless of its previous success or failure. His teams are known for their tough, physical style of play and overall preparedness. So why would he leave a place that offers the resources and support he needs to compete at the highest level? Athletic director Scott Dolson ensured that Cignetti felt valued and appreciated, proactively addressing outside interest with a substantial raise. The $93 million deal is fully guaranteed unless fired for cause, with $15 million owed to Indiana if Cignetti were to leave for another school.
Cignetti's commitment to Indiana is about more than just a paycheck. He understands the passion of a fan base that has long sought football success. Last season, many fans had to adjust to a new reality of winning, as they typically tailgated in the parking lots but now had to arrive early for games at Memorial Stadium. They will surely appreciate Cignetti for his dedication, and while they don’t expect annual CFP appearances, they will celebrate a new standard of success with seasons of 7-5 or 8-4.
Just six years ago, the notion of Indiana winning nine games in a season seemed far-fetched, giving rise to an internet phenomenon known as 9Windiana. Now, with Cignetti at the helm, Indiana fans are encouraged to dream bigger. Cignetti's belief in the program and its potential has instilled hope in the fan base. He recognizes that the grass isn’t always greener elsewhere and that Indiana football can achieve what once seemed impossible.
