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In just his second season at the helm, Curt Cignetti led Indiana to its first national championship.
During the Hoosiers’ title run, Cignetti became known for his demanding coaching style. Indiana opened spring practice Thursday and incoming wide receiver Nick Marsh received a crash course in what it means to play for Cignetti.
Marsh, who transferred from Michigan State, arrived at practice wearing gold cleats. After noting Marsh’s productive two-year stint in East Lansing, Cignetti moved into the wide receiver shoes.
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Nick Marsh (6) of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball down the field during the first quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ford Field on Nov. 29, 2025 in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
“I didn’t love those gold shoes she came out in today,” Cignetti said. “He learned what it means to have his ass busted. I don’t know if that happened to him very often at Michigan State. That was before practice started.”
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Marsh totaled 1,311 receiving yards and nine touchdowns at Michigan State. TCU quarterback Josh Hoover also leads Indiana’s transfer additions.
An Indiana Hoosiers helmet during a game against the Ball State Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 31, 2019 in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Cignetti added that the coaching staff has “more work to do with this group than the first two teams,” noting that the group is still learning more about the players the team will likely rely on next season.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti during the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Indiana went 16-0 en route to a thrilling victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship in January.
Cignetti framed his mention of Marsh’s shoes as an early message about expectations.
“That was a wake-up call,” Cignetti said of the receiver’s pre-practice cleats. “But he really worked hard, he did a great job for us.”
