Curt Cignetti recently led one of the most unexpected turnarounds in modern college football. In two years at Indiana—a program that had never won more than nine games in a season—he won a national championship with a perfect 16-0 record. The first undefeated FBS season since 1894.
When he arrived in Bloomington in November 2023, he told reporters: “I win. Google me.” People laughed. Indiana football had been college football’s punchline for decades.
His Place in College Football Today
He’s the head coach at Indiana University, where he just completed the most unlikely two-year turnaround in modern college football history. According to Indiana official athletics page at , he’s won back-to-back Big Ten Coach of the Year awards and the 2024 Home Depot National Coach of the Year.
His first season in 2024 brought Indiana its first 11-win season ever and their first College Football Playoff appearance. His second season in 2025 brought a Big Ten championship, a #1 national ranking for the first time, and the school’s first national championship.
He’s 63 years old, and after 40 years of coaching, he’s finally getting the recognition his record always deserved. Schools that once wouldn’t have considered him are now wondering if they missed their chance.
Where His Journey Began
Born June 2, 1961, Cignetti grew up in a football family. His father, Frank Cignetti Sr., coached at West Virginia and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, eventually earning a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame with a career record of 199-77-1.
Growing up around practice fields and locker rooms gave him an education most coaches never get. He saw his father build programs, manage egos, and turn overlooked players into winners. That foundation shaped everything that came later.
He played quarterback at West Virginia from 1979-82, earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1982. He wasn’t a star player—just a guy who understood the game deeply and knew he wanted to coach.
His brother Frank Jr. also became a coach, currently serving as offensive coordinator at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Football wasn’t just the family business—it was the family identity.
Learning the Game Before Leading Others
His coaching career started in 1986 at Rice University as a quarterbacks coach. For the next 25 years, he worked as an assistant at Rice, Temple, Pittsburgh, North Carolina State, and Alabama.
At NC State from 2000-2006, he served as recruiting coordinator and coached quarterbacks and tight ends. At Alabama from 2007-2010, he was recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach under Nick Saban—learning from arguably the greatest college football coach ever.
Those years weren’t glamorous. He recruited players, broke down film until 2 AM, and did whatever coaches needed. But he was learning how championship programs operated, how rosters were built, and what separated good teams from great ones.
Most people never heard his name during those decades. He was building a foundation that would eventually matter.
Becoming Known as a Program Builder
His first head coaching job came in 2011 at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)—the same school his father had made famous. He went 53-17 over six seasons, winning two Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championships.
In 2017, Elon University hired him. He went 10-3 in 2018, winning the Colonial Athletic Association championship in just his second season.
James Madison hired him in 2019. Over five seasons, he went 52-9, winning the Sun Belt Conference championship in 2022 and starting the 2023 season 10-0. That perfect start caught Indiana’s attention.
The pattern was clear—give him a program, any program, and he’d win. He’d won at Division II, FCS, and Group of Five levels. The only question was whether it would work at the Power Five level.
The Indiana Transformation
Indiana hired him on November 30, 2023, to replace Tom Allen, who’d just finished 3-9. The Hoosiers hadn’t had a winning season in six years. Most of their best players had entered the transfer portal.
He brought 13 transfers from James Madison and added more from the portal. Skeptics said he was just bringing JMU to Indiana—it wouldn’t work against Big Ten competition.
Indiana started 8-0 in 2024, their best start since 1967. Then 9-0. Then 10-0—the best start in program history. They beat Michigan, the defending national champion. They finished 11-2, losing only to Ohio State and Notre Dame in the playoff.
In October 2024, Indiana gave him an eight-year, $64 million extension, doubling his salary to $8 million annually. Then in October 2025, they extended him again—eight years, $93 million. Indiana wasn’t letting him go anywhere.
Coaching Style and Sideline Presence
His philosophy is simple: play physical, play smart, don’t beat yourself. He doesn’t run gimmick offenses or trick plays. He believes in fundamentals, preparation, and discipline.
On the sideline, he’s intense but controlled. He doesn’t scream or throw headsets. He makes adjustments, trusts his staff, and holds players accountable. His teams reflect that—they’re disciplined, rarely penalized, and execute game plans consistently.
He’s demanding but fair. Players respect him because he’s honest about expectations and treats them like adults. He recruits toughness and character as much as talent.
Physical Appearance and Presence
He’s average height with a stocky build—looks like someone who played offensive line rather than quarterback. His gray hair and weathered face show the decades he’s spent on practice fields.
On the sideline, he wears a headset and Indiana gear—nothing flashy. His presence commands attention not through size but through confidence. Players watch him for direction because they trust his judgment.
Personal Life and Family
He’s married to Manette Cignetti. They have three children: Curt Jr., Carly Ann, and Natalie Elise. Natalie was an honorable mention All-American in volleyball at IUP, continuing the family’s athletic tradition.
He keeps his family mostly private. They attend games but aren’t part of his public coaching persona. After 40 years of coaching, moving families repeatedly, they understand the lifestyle.
His commitment to Indiana means stability after years of climbing through different levels and schools. At 63, this might be his final stop—and what a place to finish.
Earnings and Career Stability
According to Indiana University’s official announcement, Curt Cignetti’s current contract runs through 2033 at $93 million over eight years, averaging about $11.6 million annually. This makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
Before Indiana, his salaries were significantly lower—probably $500,000-$1 million at James Madison. He spent decades earning assistant coach salaries, which typically range from $100,000-$500,000.
His estimated net worth is likely $8-15 million, accumulated over a long career with most of the wealth coming from his recent Indiana contracts. The national championship bonus and endorsements will add more.
Why His Career Stands Out
Most coaches who win national championships did it at traditional powers—Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson. He did it at Indiana, a program that had never won a conference title in the modern era.
He’s also the only coach to start 10-0 with two different teams in consecutive seasons—James Madison in 2023, Indiana in 2024. That’s not luck. That’s a system that works regardless of personnel.
He didn’t take shortcuts. He coached at Division II for six years. He spent 25 years as an assistant. He earned every promotion through results, not connections or politics.
At 63, when many coaches are retiring, he’s just hitting his peak. The question isn’t whether he can sustain success—he’s been doing it for 40 years. The question is how many more championships he can win.
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