Indiana gives undefeated coach Curt Cignetti 8-year contract, big raise

Field Level Media|published: Sat 16th November, 11:17 2024

Nov 9, 2024; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts in the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

Indiana is rewarding first-year football coach Curt Cignetti with an eight-year contract worth $72 million.

The Hoosiers are 10-0 for the first time in their history. They never won 10 games in a season before this one, either, and they are fifth in the College Football Playoff rankings.

The new contract averages $8 million a year and includes an annual $1 million retention bonus. He initially signed a six-year, $27 million contract when he was hired on Nov. 30, 2023.

His new pact brings his salary more in line with the highest-paid coaches in the Big Ten, where Lincoln Riley at Southern California and Ryan Day at Ohio State earn just more than $10 million annually.

"After first meeting Coach Cignetti, we were very confident that he was the perfect fit for what we were trying to build with our football program," athletic director Scott Dolson said. "We were confident IU could become a winning program and we love what he's building here. We love the student-athletes that he's bringing here. We love how our fanbase has rallied around this team and made Memorial Stadium the place to be on Saturday afternoons. And now, we love the fact that he's going to be doing all those things right here in Bloomington for a long, long time."

Cignetti, 63, replaced Tom Allen, who was fired after a 3-9 overall record and a 1-8 mark in the Big Ten last season. His teams were 33-49 in seven-plus seasons and finished above .500 in the Big Ten just twice.

The Hoosiers are 7-0 in the conference this season. Idle Saturday, they travel to No. 2 Ohio State next Saturday for a highly anticipated Big Ten showdown.

"(Wife) Manette and I love Bloomington and are grateful for how the IU community has embraced us," Cignetti said. "I look forward to leading this outstanding program and doing my part to continue the momentum for Hoosier football."

Cignetti came to Indiana after leading James Madison to an 11-1 record in their second season at the FBS level in 2023. He was named Sun Belt Coach of the Year.

Indiana ranks second nationally in scoring offense (43.9), seventh in scoring defense (13.8), 16th in total offense (453.2) and third in total defense (255.5).

--Field Level Media

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