Tampering in college football isn’t exactly a new concern, but the way it’s showing up in today’s NIL-driven landscape is raising eyebrows across the sport. Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti recently joined The Triple Option podcast-hosted by Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone-and didn’t hold back when the conversation turned toward the issue.
The topic came up in the wake of Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s public accusation that Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding had contacted a Clemson player and allegedly lured him toward the transfer portal with an offer. That kind of behind-the-scenes recruiting-if true-would fall squarely under the definition of tampering, and it’s something coaches across the country are increasingly frustrated by.
Cignetti, now in his second year at the helm in Bloomington, offered a striking example of how real this issue has become. He revealed that one of his own players was offered $1 million last year to leave Indiana. He didn’t name the school involved, but he did say, “You’d be shocked at the school,” hinting at how widespread and surprising some of these under-the-table deals can be.
That kind of money is hard for any young athlete to ignore-and for coaches, it’s a serious challenge to navigate. Cignetti explained that players occasionally come into his office to talk about offers they’ve received, and that the involvement of agents only complicates things further. It’s not just about developing talent anymore; it’s about retaining it in an environment where roster management has become a year-round, high-stakes game.
Despite the shifting landscape, Indiana has managed to hold steady. Since Cignetti took over in 2024-a transition year that saw significant roster turnover-the Hoosiers have experienced minimal losses through the portal. That’s no small feat, especially in an era where loyalty is often tested by deep pockets and backchannel offers.
Cignetti’s comments reflect a broader tension in college football right now. Coaches are adjusting to a new normal where NIL money and transfer freedom have changed the dynamics of team building. The rules are still evolving, and the gray areas-like tampering-are becoming battlegrounds for programs trying to stay competitive while playing by the book.
For Indiana, the focus remains on building a stable, competitive roster. But as Cignetti made clear, doing that requires more than just coaching-it means navigating a recruiting landscape that’s as complex and competitive off the field as it is on it.