CHICAGO — Curt Cignetti’s paycheck and resume have grown significantly since January, but what hasn’t changed for Indiana’s national championship football coach is his candor and personality.
The only jewelry Cignetti wore at Big Ten media days Thursday was his wedding ring. He donned a crimson tie, spoke directly to reporters on a side stage for more than 30 minutes and delivered zingers with nearly every question. Nothing was planned or written out; everything was direct, and retorts were delivered with comedic timing and swagger.
“I just turned 65. I’m geriatric,” Cignetti quipped. “I know how temporary this is, and that you can be a hero one week and all of a sudden you lose a game, people hate you, and we’ve been lucky.”
Is Indiana and Curt Cignetti the best story in college sports?
Scott Dochterman
No entity was safe from the coach who turned college football upside down by turning the sport’s losingest program into a 16-0 national champion. On the main dais, the SEC became an indirect target with his final salvo. At SEC media days last week, much of the narrative centered on the league’s move to nine conference games and how difficult the schedule will become. There were also claims that the SEC is deeper than the Big Ten.
However, the Big Ten has won three consecutive College Football Playoff championships with six programs qualifying for a national semifinal over that span. Cignetti, whose Hoosiers beat Alabama 38-3 in the Rose Bowl, aimed and fired away.
“We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest,” Cignetti said. “We believe everything’s earned, not given. And when we fall short, we say we fell short. We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. And that’s why we’re the best.”
Later, at a side podium, Cignetti said: “Since the NIL era has kicked in, the numbers speak for themselves.”
Some of his comments could be construed as conceit, but they are laced with facts. Cignetti referred to Ohio State as “Goliath,” the Biblical warrior slain by David. Cignetti meant the comment with “respect,” that the Buckeyes were a powerhouse program. He was then asked whether Indiana had joined that club.
“I mean, we’re the national champs of 2025 and 27-2 the last two years, longest home winning streak in college football, longest winning streak in college football,” Cignetti said. “You guys write those stories. I know Michigan’s been around a long time. So has Ohio State and Southern Cal, Penn State, and there’s others.
“We started out 10-0, didn’t trail until the 10th game of the year, ninth, whatever it was, and then we took the necessary steps in Year 2 that we couldn’t take Year 1. … We’re off to a fairly good start.”
On whether he wants a traditional passer or a dual-threat quarterback, Cignetti said, “We don’t have a big offensive ego. We don’t have to lead the country or the conference in scoring, even though we led the conference in scoring just about every year since ’19.”
Cignetti’s mannerisms have been copied by fans and turned into memes on social media, particularly his facial expressions. Through his success, he has become one of the most recognizable faces in the sport. It doesn’t matter if he’s pushing a cart in a Bloomington department store or sitting on a Caribbean beach.
“I’m a little surprised by that, honestly,” Cignetti said. “It doesn’t matter where, whether it’s St. Bart’s or wherever. … I’m always like a little taken aback. Wow! You’ve got to be kidding me. So it’s nice, but I also know that if we don’t hold up our end of the bargain, I’ll be hanging in effigy next.”
Cignetti’s meticulous recruiting style leverages high-character performers who work together for team success. Cignetti doesn’t tolerate those who don’t conform.
“We don’t have bad apples,” he said. “Coach Cignetti takes care of the bad apples. When they start getting a little soft on one side, they get looked at real close. Then when they’ve rotted some more a little while later, they’re out of here.
“If a guy walks in my office, he might have a lot of talent, be a really good player, and that transcript doesn’t look real good,” he added, “and I get a vibe that this guy’s real selfish, can’t see past his nose? He better be the best wide receiver in the history of football, and then I’m still going to think about it.”
Then there were the one-liners.
When asked about bringing in a pair of transfer portal defenders who were described as “two monsters,” Cignetti said, “I’d like to see them be monsters, that’s what I’d like to see.”
At Cignetti’s news conference broadcast on the Big Ten Network, a pseudo-reporter displayed a logo he wanted Indiana to adopt. “Is it going to make us better?” Cignetti asked. “We’re not interested.”
When asked how he planned to keep his team from feeling satisfied after the national title, Cignetti said, “I’ll be stalking complacency.”
There were more quips, more jabs, more laughs. Cignetti has turned the football world on its ear, and it’s open to every word. He was the final coach to take the main stage at Big Ten media days and, like Santa Claus appearing at the rear of a Thanksgiving Day parade, Cignetti’s walk-off signified that football season is on the way.
“I’ve been on vacation long enough,” he said. “I’m tired of being bossed around by my wife. I’m ready to boss somebody else around and develop a football team.”
