Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has agreed to a new eight-year contract with an average annual compensation of approximately $11.6 million. The contract will run through Nov. 30, 2033.
“At Indiana University, we are committed to performing at the highest levels in everything we do, and no one has exemplified that more than Coach Cignetti,” said Indiana University President Pamela Whitten. “Put simply, Cig is a winner.
“From last year’s College Football Playoff appearance to this year’s top-3 national ranking, the IU Football program’s success has been tremendous. Curt and Manette Cignetti are home in Indiana and we are delighted that the Cignetti family will be Hoosiers for many years to come.”
Cignetti is currently in his second season as Indiana’s head coach. In his debut campaign at the helm of the Hoosiers, he led the program to an 11-2 overall record, an 8-1 mark in conference play and its first ever College Football Playoff appearance.
Cignetti hasn’t slowed down this season. Indiana is 6-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country. Most recently, the Hoosiers defeated the Oregon Ducks on their home turf. It’s been a stunning turnaround for the Hoosiers, who posted a 3-9 record the season prior to Cignetti’s arrival.
Before agreeing to a new contract with the school, Cignetti was earning $8.3 million this season, without bonuses included. The figure ranked 18th in college football and No. 7 in the Big Ten.
Cignetti’s new salary of $11.6 million will be the third-highest in the country, only trailing Ohio State‘s Ryan Day and Georgia‘s Kirby Smart. Indiana likely felt pressure to secure Cignetti’s long-term future with lucrative jobs at programs like Penn State and Arkansas becoming available.
Earlier this week, FOX Sports’ Mark Ingram implored Penn State to go after Cignetti. Meanwhile, other prominent voices, such as former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, believe Cignetti doesn’t need to go elsewhere to win national titles.
“Common sense would say no. But, I mean, as a football coach studying it, listen closely — absolutely, yes, they can [win it all] when you watch them play. Absolutely, yes!” Meyer said on The Triple Option podcast. “They have good enough players and they’re as well-coached (of a) team (as there is) in the United States of America. How about that? We’ve got to get there, Big Noon (Kickoff) has to get (to Bloomington).”
On Saturday, Indiana will look to continue its dominant run when it squares off against Michigan State at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will air live on Peacock.
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