Indiana Extends Head Coach Curt Cignetti Amid Strong Start to Season
As the college football coaching carousel begins to heat up, one major name is officially off the market. Indiana University announced on Thursday, Oct. 16, that it has agreed to a contract extension with second-year head coach Curt Cignetti.
The announcement comes just days after Penn State fired longtime head coach James Franklin. Cignetti had been widely speculated as a top candidate to replace Franklin, including by USA TODAY. However, with this new deal, he’s committed to staying in Bloomington.
Cignetti has led Indiana to a perfect 6-0 start in 2025, including a statement 30–20 victory over then-No. 2 Oregon on Oct. 11. The win propelled the Hoosiers to No. 3 in the national rankings — the highest spot in program history in both the AP Poll and US LBM Coaches Poll.
In just his first year in charge (2024), Cignetti guided Indiana to the College Football Playoff and an 11–1 regular season, losing only to Ohio State and Notre Dame — the two teams that ultimately met in the national title game. The Hoosiers finished the year 11–2.
University Leadership Praises Cignetti
Indiana University President Pamela Whitten praised Cignetti’s impact, stating:
“At Indiana University, we are committed to excellence in everything we do, and no one has embodied that more than Coach Cignetti. Put simply, Cig is a winner. From last year’s College Football Playoff to this year’s top-three ranking, his leadership has been phenomenal. Curt and Manette Cignetti have found a home in Indiana, and we’re thrilled to have them here for many years to come.”
Athletic director Scott Dolson echoed that sentiment:
“We are fully committed to investing in IU football at a championship level, and securing Coach Cignetti as our leader is the top priority. His impact over the past season and a half has been nothing short of extraordinary. He believed in the potential of this program — and turned that belief into results. This is a great day for IU football.”
Contract Extension Details
According to the university, Cignetti’s new contract runs through November 30, 2033, with an average annual salary of approximately $11.6 million over the eight-year deal.
Cignetti’s Response
In a video posted to Indiana Football’s official social media accounts, Cignetti expressed gratitude and long-term commitment:
“I couldn’t be more proud to be a Hoosier, and I plan to retire as a Hoosier. The way this state has embraced our family and the success we’ve had on the field means everything to me. I just wanted to say — Curt Cignetti is going to keep working every day to make Indiana football the best it can be.”
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