Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti made it clear Tuesday that he never bought into the idea that Indiana football’s 2024 surge needed an asterisk.
Speaking at the conference’s media days in Chicago, Petitti revisited the Hoosiers’ perfect season and pushed back on the skepticism that followed Curt Cignetti’s first year in Bloomington. Indiana’s run to the College Football Playoff, he said, was not properly appreciated for what it was.
“You sort of saw it right away, when the winning started, I think there was skepticism about lots of things around Indiana their first year when they went to Notre Dame, they lost to a team that made the final," Petitti said. "I think that somehow that season ... wasn't respectful in terms of how good that football team was."
Petitti had a front-row view of plenty of that success. He was on the sideline for some of the defining moments of the season, including Indiana’s win over Ohio State in the league title game and Jamari Sharpe’s interception in Miami, standing there with IU president Pam Whitten and athletic director Scott Dolson.
He said the Hoosiers only strengthened their case with the way they handled a tough schedule and kept rolling through the postseason.
“You saw them double down (on that success) with a difficult schedule and incredible postseason run, the way they played and dominated across most of the games they played," Petitti said.
Petitti also singled out Cignetti for the way he has changed the program and the energy around it. He pointed to the buzz among IU fans and the upgraded atmosphere on game days in Bloomington.
“I think Cig is unique in terms of what his focus is," Petitti said with a smile. "I think obviously the decision to bring Cig into the league, you can't imagine this, when this hire was made and the success. We are extremely happy with the way it's worked out there.”
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