Where Indiana football head coach Curt Cignetti lands in ‘most impactful’ offseason coaching hires

When Indiana football wrapped up another disappointing season with just three wins in 2023, a coaching change was inevitable. After just a 9-27 record in the last three years, the direction of the program needed to be changed. So, IU went out and landed a coach who has never had a losing record in his 13 years on the sidelines.

Curt Cignetti has instilled confidence and a newfound swagger for the Indiana football program. While he hasn’t seen his team take the field in a game setting, he understands the first step in being a winning program is thinking like one. And that’s exactly what he did on day one.

“We’re going to change the culture, the mindset, the expectation level, and improve the brand of Indiana Hoosier football. There will be no self-imposed limitations on what we can accomplish,” Cignetti said in his opening remarks. “It will be a day-by-day process that is hinged on being focused on the present moment and improving as much daily as possible to put yourself in the best position tomorrow.”

Then, he re-emphasized that just a month later.

“We got to change the way people think about Indiana,” Cignetti said during National Signing Day. “We’ve been adamant that, look, we’re going to win and we’re going to win this year and we’re going to change the brand and the expectation level and the way people see Indiana football.”

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So, despite Indiana not playing a single game, Curt Cignetti has raised the expectations an the excitement around the football program in just a few months. Even opposing coaches across the Big Ten believe Cignetti will bring something special to Bloomington.

“There’s no reason we can’t be successful here. We’re going to be successful here,” Cignetti said. “It’s one day at a time. It’s a process right now. It’s always a process.”

And to no surprise, Cignetti’s hire was among the ‘most impactful’ coaching hires ahead of the 2024 season.

“Curt Cignetti is built differently,” 247Sports national writer Brad Crawford said. “After getting the Indiana job, he said “Google me” to doubters. He has never coached a losing team in 13 years as a head coach, and he led James Madison to an 11-win season and top-25 ranking in the program’s first year in the FBS last season. He’s a stem from the Saban coaching tree, having overseen receivers for Saban when he arrived at Alabama in 2007 before leaving in 2010 for his first head coaching job at IUP.”

Indiana’s hire of Cignetti was rated 11th best.

At the end of the day, no matter how much Cignetti talks about changing the culture and expectations — the only thing that will actually do that is on the field results.

So until then, the naysayers will continue.

“I’m at a place where a lot of people say they can’t get it done. I love that kind of challenge,” Cignetti added during his appearance on Next Up with Adam Breneman. “You only grow when you’re uncomfortable. I think this is such a great challenge that gets me excited because it’s so doable.”