The Indiana Hoosiers turnaround in Curt Cignetti’s first year with the program is one of the best stories in college football this season. The Hoosiers are 10-0 entering their bye this week.
Indiana is ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff. The undefeated Hoosiers have dominated most of their first 10 opponents, winning by double digits in nine games. Indiana has yet to play a Top 25 team, but they will face No. 2 Ohio State on the road at Ohio Stadium in Week 13.
Cignetti’s immediate success with Indiana had many analysts thinking the 63-year-old coach would be offered jobs from more prestigious schools after the 2024 season. Cignetti has a track record of success, going 129-35 during his 13 seasons as a college head coach.
“Indiana has agreed to a contract extension and raise for coach Curt Cignetti,” Thamel posted on X. “Indiana will pay Curt Cignetti $8 million annually, and his contract will now run through 2032.”
Per Thamel, the new deal is worth $72 million.
“Full scope of contract details — Deal averages $8 million in base/supplement and he gets a $1 million in retention bonus every year,” Thamel wrote. “So the total for the deal is eight years for $72M. A giant commitment for Indiana football.”
Cignetti inherited an Indiana team that went 3-9 in 2023. The Hoosiers’ last winning season was in 2020 under then-head coach Tom Allen, when they went 6-2.
The boost in pay for Cignetti should keep him in Bloomington for years to come.