BREAKING NEWS: IU Football Coach Curt Cignetti Gets Another Year, $3.5 Million Added for Bowl Eligibility
BLOOMINGTON, IN – In a move that signals confidence in the direction of the Indiana University football program, IU Athletics announced today that head coach Curt Cignetti has received a contract extension for another year, along with a substantial performance-based bonus. The extension, which includes a $3.5 million incentive tied to the team’s bowl eligibility, comes after a season that saw the Hoosiers show signs of progress under Cignetti’s leadership.
The announcement was made by IU Athletic Director Scott Dolson in a statement released this morning. According to the terms of the extension, Cignetti’s contract now runs through the 2026 season, and the bonus structure is centered around the Hoosiers’ ability to secure a bowl berth in the upcoming seasons.
“We are excited to continue building with Coach Cignetti as our leader,” Dolson said. “While the road ahead will certainly present challenges, we believe in the vision Curt has for this program. His leadership, work ethic, and commitment to developing young talent have laid a strong foundation for the future of IU football. This extension reflects our confidence in his ability to take this team to the next level.”
Cignetti, who took over as head coach in 2023 after a successful stint at the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB), has been tasked with returning Indiana football to relevance in the competitive Big Ten Conference. In his first season, Cignetti showed promise by improving the team’s overall record, but the Hoosiers ultimately fell short of bowl eligibility, finishing with a 5-7 record.
Despite the near-miss, many inside the program have been impressed with the culture Cignetti has built, emphasizing discipline, hard work, and player development. Under his guidance, Indiana has shown significant improvement in both offensive and defensive efficiency, and players have responded well to his leadership style.
“I’m thankful to Scott Dolson and the entire administration for their continued trust in me and my staff,” Cignetti said in a statement. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made in building a strong foundation, and I’m excited about what’s to come. Our goal is to make IU football a consistent contender in the Big Ten, and I’m committed to delivering on that promise.”
The $3.5 million bonus tied to bowl eligibility is a clear sign that Indiana’s administration expects tangible results from the program in the coming years. While IU has historically struggled to make a significant impact in the Big Ten, a bowl game has been seen as a crucial benchmark for success. Securing a spot in a postseason game would not only help elevate the program’s standing but also provide valuable experience for the young roster that Cignetti is shaping.
The Hoosiers have made significant strides in recruiting under Cignetti, with several highly touted players committing to the program in recent months. With a solid recruiting class set to join the team for the 2025 season, the expectation is that Indiana will be better equipped to challenge for a bowl game and, in time, compete for a higher standing in the Big Ten.
Cignetti’s extension has already sparked excitement among the fanbase, many of whom were looking for signs of long-term stability after several years of inconsistent results. The decision to invest in Cignetti reflects a growing optimism that the program is heading in the right direction.
As the Hoosiers prepare for the 2025 season, the pressure will be on Cignetti and his staff to guide the team to its first bowl game appearance since 2020. With the added incentive of the $3.5 million bonus, the Hoosiers have a clear target to aim for — and a coach who is determined to make that goal a reality.
