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If the Nittany Lions were counting on Curt Cignetti heading to State College, they had to turn to Plan B.
Indiana University agreed to a massive eight-year contract extension with Cignetti, its football coach, making him the third-highest-paid coach in college football.
Cignetti’s new deal is worth $93 million over eight years, giving him an estimated $11.6 million per season. The contract will be valid until November 30, 2033.
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Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti enters Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Sept. 27. (Jeffrey Becker/Image Images)
This extension comes after rumors that Cignetti was someone Penn State could look to replace James Franklin, who was fired after three straight losses this season.
“At Indiana University, we are committed to performing at the highest level in everything we do, and no one has exemplified that better than Coach Cignetti,” Indiana University President Pamela Whitten said in a statement. “Simply put, Cig is a winner.”
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Cignetti trails only Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($13.3 million per season) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($12.6 million).
“From last year’s College Football Playoff appearance to this year’s top-3 national ranking, the success of the IU football program has been tremendous. Curt and Manette Cignetti are home in Indiana and we are thrilled that the Cignetti family will be Hoosiers for many years to come.”
Cignetti has truly changed the Hoosiers football program. He earned National and Big Ten Coach of the Year honors last season after Indiana went 11-1 during the regular season to reach the College Football Playoff. They were knocked out by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but it was clear that Indiana was headed in the right direction.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti watches his team play against Oregon at Autzen Stadium on October 11 in Eugene, Oregon. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)
This season, with Heisman favorite Fernando Mendoza leading the way at quarterback, the Hoosiers are 6-0. Only Ohio State owns the same record in the Big Ten through six games.
Indiana’s recent victory over Oregon on their home field in Bloomington cemented the Hoosiers as a true national title contender this season.
Before the extension, Cignetti was earning $8.3 million this season without any bonuses in his contract. That was the 18th highest in college football and just 7th in the Big Ten.
So, with Penn State potentially looming to lure Cignetti away from the Hoosiers, Indiana acted quickly to keep its coach in place to continue building its program. Arkansas is also searching for a new head coach.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on the sidelines against Oregon at Autzen Stadium on Oct. 11 in Eugene, Oregon. (Troy Wayrynen/Image Images)
Cignetti and the Hoosiers will look to remain undefeated this weekend in a matchup against Michigan State.
