In a move that's sure to shake up the college football world, Indiana University has just locked down one of the most sought-after coaches in the game, Curt Cignetti, with a jaw-dropping eight-year contract extension. But here's where it gets controversial—this deal doesn't just guarantee Cignetti a staggering $11.6 million per year; it also ensures he'll walk away with a whopping $93 million if he's fired without cause. Is this a smart investment or an overly risky gamble? Let’s dive in.
On Thursday, Indiana University made it official: Curt Cignetti isn’t going anywhere. The university announced on its website (https://iuhoosiers.com/news/2025/10/16/indiana-university-and-football-coach-curt-cignetti-agree-to-new-eight-year-contract-through-2033) that the beloved coach has signed a fully guaranteed eight-year deal, keeping him in Bloomington through the 2033 season. Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports (https://twitter.com/NicoleAuerbach/status/1978946863307895018) confirmed the financial details, highlighting just how much Indiana is betting on Cignetti’s continued success.
In a heartfelt video shared on the team’s social media (https://twitter.com/IndianaFootball/status/1978914872730484763?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw), Cignetti expressed his deep connection to the university and its community. 'My wife Manette and I love Indiana University, Bloomington, the state of Indiana, and the incredible people we’ve met here,' he said. 'We’ve achieved a lot in a short time, but there’s still so much to do. I’m proud to be a Hoosier, and I plan to retire as one. The support from this state and the success we’ve had in football mean everything to me. I’m committed to making Indiana the best it can be.'
Indiana University President Pamela Whitten echoed this sentiment in a statement, praising Cignetti’s impact. 'At Indiana University, we strive for excellence in everything we do, and Coach Cignetti embodies that spirit,' she said. 'He’s a proven winner. From last year’s College Football Playoff appearance to this season’s top-3 national ranking, his leadership has transformed our program. Curt and Manette are family here, and we’re thrilled they’ll be Hoosiers for years to come.'
This isn’t the first time Indiana has shown its commitment to Cignetti. After joining the program in 2024 on a six-year, $27 million deal, he earned a second extension less than two seasons in—an eight-year deal with an $8.3 million salary and a $1 million retention bonus. Now, just a year later, he’s secured another raise, proving his value time and again.
And this is the part most people miss—Cignetti’s success at Indiana has been nothing short of remarkable. Taking over one of the Big Ten’s struggling programs, he led the Hoosiers to an 11–2 record in his first season, earning a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff. This season, Indiana is undefeated at 6–0, tied atop the Big Ten with reigning national champions Ohio State, and boasts impressive wins over powerhouses like Oregon (https://www.si.com/college-football/week-7-takeaways-hoosier-daddy) and Illinois.
Cignetti’s track record speaks for itself. From IUP to Elon and James Madison, he’s turned every program he’s touched into a winner. Now, he’s proving he can do the same at a Power 4 school, and at an astonishing pace. But with great success comes great expectations—can he sustain this momentum, or will the pressure of a massive contract weigh him down? That’s the question on everyone’s mind.
As Indiana fans celebrate, critics are already debating whether this deal is a masterstroke or a risky overcommitment. What do you think? Is Cignetti worth every penny, or is Indiana setting itself up for a potential financial nightmare? Let us know in the comments below. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to check out SI’s College Football Newsletter and their new podcast, Others Receiving Votes, available on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/others-receiving-votes/id1834741833), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/7Arsw6ozKQIPm7ep9jLvao), and SI’s YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@SportsIllustrated/videos).
