Hoosiers coach Curt Cignetti’s new contract extension makes him the 16th-highest paid head coach in college football and fourth-highest paid head coach in the Big Ten.
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has agreed to a contract extension worth $8 million per year over eight years, plus a $1 million retention bonus. Cignetti’s new contract runs through the 2032 season and is for $72 million if he stays at Indiana until the end of the contract. Full contract details, including added bonuses, incentives and other add-ons, have not yet been provided by Indiana.
Cignetti’s new deal makes him the 16th highest-paid head coach in college football, according to data from USA Today. Cignetti’s $8 million in base pay, beginning next season, makes him the fourth-highest paid head coach in the Big Ten, behind Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Penn State’s James Franklin and Oregon’s Dan Lanning. Nationally, Cignetti’s new base salary puts him between Oklahoma’s Brent Venables ($8.15 million) and Miami’s Mario Cristobal ($7.78 million).
Cignetti is now the highest-paid head coach in IU Athletics history, and also the highest-paid IU employee ever. This season at Indiana, Cignetti is set to make $4.0 million in base pay plus additional bonuses and incentives, which could total north of $5 million.
“I am beyond appreciative for the tremendous commitment, confidence, and support from President Pam Whitten and Athletic Director Scott Dolson. Manette and I love Bloomington and are grateful for how the IU community has embraced us,” Cignetti said in a press release. “I look forward to leading this outstanding program and doing my part to continue the momentum for Hoosier football.”
In IU’s first season under Cignetti, the Hoosiers are one of only three undefeated FBS teams remaining at 10-0 and have set a new program single-season wins record. Indiana is ranked No. 5 in the latest College Football Playoff ranking and still in contention for a Big Ten Championship game appearance. IU will travel to No. 2 Ohio State next Saturday for a significant road matchup in Columbus.