Indiana University has secured its head football coach, Curt Cignetti, with a long-term contract extension. The agreement, announced recently, keeps Cignetti with the Hoosiers through November 2033.
The eight-year deal is valued at $93 million, averaging $11.6 million per season. This makes Cignetti one of the highest-paid coaches in college football, surpassed only by Kirby Smart of Georgia and Ryan Day of Ohio State.
University President Pamela Whitten expressed her enthusiasm for Cignetti’s commitment. She highlighted his winning record and the positive impact he and his wife, Manette, have had on the Indiana community.
This extension follows rumors that Penn State was considering Cignetti as a replacement for their head coach. By securing Cignetti, Indiana aims to maintain the momentum of its football program.
Cignetti’s leadership has brought significant improvement to the Hoosiers. Last season, he was recognized as the national and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading Indiana to an impressive 11-1 regular season record and a spot in the College Football Playoff. Although they were defeated by Notre Dame, the season signaled a promising future for the program.
Building on last season’s success, the Hoosiers have started this season strongly, remaining undefeated. A key victory against Oregon has further solidified their position as a team to watch.
Before the extension, Cignetti’s salary was $8.3 million per season, ranking him among the top-paid coaches but lower within the Big Ten conference. The new contract reflects Indiana’s commitment to Cignetti and his vision for the football program.
With other universities, like Arkansas, also searching for head coaches, Indiana’s move to secure Cignetti underscores the value they place on his leadership and the program’s upward trajectory.
The Hoosiers are set to play Michigan State this weekend, aiming to continue their undefeated streak.
