When Curt Cignetti took the podium as Indiana’s new head football coach, he didn’t exactly play the role of a man inheriting a program with a 9-27 record over the previous three seasons. No hedging.
No soft landings. Just bold declarations and a confidence that felt more SEC than Big Ten basement.
And then came the line that made headlines: “I win. Google me.”
That mic-drop moment came not at his introductory press conference, but 19 days later on National Signing Day. Asked how he sells his vision to recruits despite not having coached a game at Indiana, Cignetti didn’t blink.
“It’s pretty simple. I win.
Google me.”
It was short, sharp, and unmistakably Cignetti. And now, two seasons in, it’s hard to argue with him.
From Bold Words to Big Wins
When Cignetti took over in Bloomington, Indiana football was in a familiar spot-searching for relevance in a conference that doesn’t wait around for rebuilding projects. But Cignetti didn’t come to manage expectations. He came to rewrite them.
And in just two seasons, he’s done exactly that. The Hoosiers are 26-2 under his watch, with a College Football Playoff appearance in year one and a national championship game appearance in year two. That’s not just a turnaround-it’s a transformation.
The belief he sold to recruits, fans, and administrators wasn’t based on empty promises. It was built on a track record that speaks for itself. And yes, if you Google him, you’ll see why.
A Proven Winner at Every Stop
Before Indiana, Cignetti built a résumé that reads like a blueprint for success. He spent nearly three decades as an assistant coach, including four seasons under Nick Saban at Alabama-arguably the best football coaching incubator on the planet.
Then came the head coaching gigs. First at Division II IUP (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), where he went 53-17.
Then to Elon at the FCS level, where he posted a solid 14-9 mark in two seasons. But it was at James Madison where he really made noise-going 52-9 across five seasons, including a successful jump from FCS to FBS.
Add it all up, and Cignetti entered Bloomington with a 119-35 career record. Not many coaches walk into a Power Five job with that kind of win percentage. Fewer still do it with the conviction to challenge the perception of what’s possible at a place like Indiana.
The Hire That Changed Everything
Indiana hired Cignetti on November 30, 2023, moving on from Tom Allen after a seven-year run that included a couple of high points-most notably the Michael Penix Jr. era-but fizzled out with three straight losing seasons. It was a bold move, not just because of the buyout attached to Allen’s departure, but because Indiana was betting on someone from outside the traditional Power Five carousel.
But Cignetti wasn’t just another up-and-comer. He was a program builder with receipts.
He didn’t shy away from the challenge either. In his introductory press conference, Cignetti laid out a vision that felt audacious at the time.
“There is no reason why we can't be successful, pack the stadium, and be a source of pride to the entire university and town and state of Indiana,” he said. “We’re going to change the culture, the mindset, the expectation level, and improve the brand of Indiana Hoosier football.”
That wasn’t coach-speak. That was the mission statement-and he’s delivering on it.
A Blueprint That Travels
Cignetti’s success isn’t about gimmicks or flash. It’s about structure, discipline, and culture-buzzwords, sure, but in his case, they come with substance. “There will be no self-imposed limitations on what we can accomplish,” he said at his introduction, and that mindset has permeated the program from day one.
He brought with him a blueprint that had worked at every stop, and he trusted it would work again-at a place where history said it shouldn’t. And maybe that’s the key: Cignetti never bought into the idea that Indiana football couldn’t be great. He didn’t let the past dictate the future.
He simply believed in winning-and expected everyone else to catch up.
The Moment That Defined the Movement
That now-iconic “Google me” quote might have sounded brash in the moment, but it’s aged like a fine victory cigar. In a sport where bravado is often cheap, Cignetti’s confidence was backed by results.
It wasn’t arrogance. It was assurance.
And now, with Indiana knocking on the door of a national title just two years into his tenure, that soundbite has become something more. It’s a rallying cry. A reminder of what belief, preparation, and a proven plan can do-even in a place where winning once felt like a pipe dream.
Curt Cignetti didn’t just take over Indiana football-he redefined it.
And if you still have doubts?
Well, you know what to do. Google him.