Curt Cignetti Is Turning Indiana Into a Powerhouse - and Making History Along the Way
When Indiana hired Curt Cignetti in 2023, the move raised eyebrows. Not because of doubts about his résumé - his track record at James Madison spoke volumes - but because Indiana wasn’t exactly known as a football destination.
Fast forward to the end of 2025, and it’s safe to say: the Hoosiers didn’t just make the right hire. They made the hire.
In just two seasons, Cignetti has flipped the script in Bloomington. What was once a basketball-first school is now watching its football team dominate headlines - and the field. After an impressive 11-2 debut season that ended with a College Football Playoff appearance, Cignetti has taken things to another level in Year 2.
Undefeated, Unmatched, and Uncharted Territory
Indiana just wrapped up a perfect 12-0 regular season, capped off with a Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State - a program that’s long been the standard-bearer in the conference. That victory didn’t just punch Indiana’s ticket to the College Football Playoff. It cemented the Hoosiers as the No. 1 team in the country for the first time in school history.
Let that sink in: Indiana, a program that’s spent most of its football life in the shadows, is now sitting atop the college football mountain heading into the postseason.
Back-to-Back Coach of the Year Honors - A First
Cignetti’s impact hasn’t gone unnoticed. For the second straight season, he’s been named the AP Coach of the Year - the first time in history a coach has won the award in back-to-back years. That alone would be enough to headline a stellar coaching résumé, but Cignetti’s trophy case is getting crowded.
He’s also taken home the AFCA National Coach of the Year honor for the second consecutive season, an award voted on by his peers in the American Football Coaches Association. Add in a repeat Big Ten Coach of the Year nod, and it’s clear: Cignetti isn’t just winning games - he’s earning the respect of the entire college football world.
A Program Transformed
What makes Cignetti’s run so remarkable isn’t just the wins - it’s the speed at which he’s changed the culture. Indiana didn’t just start winning under Cignetti; they started believing. His teams play with discipline, confidence, and a chip on their shoulder, and it’s clear that belief starts at the top.
And while the accolades continue to pile up, don’t expect Cignetti to be basking in the spotlight. With a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff, he’s already got his eyes on what’s next. There’s still work to do, and no one understands that better than the man who’s led this remarkable turnaround.
Curt Cignetti’s Legacy Is Already Taking Shape
It’s rare to see a coach change the trajectory of a program so quickly, but Cignetti is doing just that - and then some. He’s not just winning games; he’s building something sustainable, something that could redefine what Indiana football means on a national level.
For now, the Hoosiers are unbeaten, their trophy case is growing, and their head coach is making history. And if the first two years of the Curt Cignetti era are any indication, Indiana’s just getting started.