‘He has a great offensive mind and is a really good quarterback coach’: Legendary Coach Nick Saban had a ton of praise for Curt Cignetti and Indiana Football

Indiana football is off to their best start to a season in over 50 years. The start has led to Curt Cignetti and the program receiving a ton of attention including from one legendary former coach.

Former Alabama head coach Nick Saban had a ton of praise for Cignetti and Indiana football during an appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday.

“I always thought Curt had the right stuff because I actually coached for his dad. His dad was the coach when I was at West Virginia. His dad was really well organized, very good recruiter. Curt came up in that coach’s environment. He was very smart,” Saban said.

Saban was a defensive backs coach under Frank Cignetti at West Virginia for two seasons (1978-79).

Nearly 30 years later when Saban took over at Alabama, he hired Curt Cignetti to be his wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. Cignetti coached under Saban for four years, winning one national championship, before leaving to become a head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. 

“He was a receiver’s coach for us, but has a great offensive mind and is a really good quarterback coach. There’s a lot of people who call plays that are offensive coordinators, but they’re not really good quarterback coaches,” Saban said.

Cignetti’s success with developing quarterbacks was a big reason he was hired this offseason by Scott Dolson. 

Quarterback Kurtis Rourke’s performance has been indicative of Cignetti’s ability to coach the position and his success has been crucial for Indiana football so far. Rourke has thrown 14 touchdowns and just two interceptions on the season while averaging 292 passing yards per game.

Saban also praised Cignetti’s use of the transfer portal this offseason. 

“I think he hit the transfer portal which helped them play better defense. I think he hit the quarterback and they’ve got some decent skill guys which has helped them throw the ball effectively,” Saban said.

Cignetti landed key starters on both sides of the football including former James Madison standouts Mikail Kamara, Elijah Sarratt, and Aiden Fisher. The transfer portal helped rejuvenate the roster and establish the culture Cignetti is trying to build.

While Saban had a ton of praise for Cignetti and Indiana football, he emphasized the importance of this weekend’s game against Nebraska. 

“I also think that the proof is going to be in the pudding this week because I think Nebraska has a little better defense than what they’ve been playing against,” Saban said.

“If they can actually do it against this style of defense, I think they’re for real as an offensive football team and as a total team.”

Indiana football hosts Nebraska later today in what will be their biggest test of the season thus far. It likely won’t be an easy game for the Hoosiers but it will be a great chance to make a statement on a national stage.

SEE ALSO: Gameday Essentials: Indiana football vs Nebraska

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