Indiana Inks Cignetti to New 8-Year, $93M Contract

Indiana University has secured a landmark eight-year contract with head football coach Curt Cignetti, valued at approximately $93 million. This agreement, announced on October 16, 2025, positions Cignetti among the highest-paid coaches in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with an average annual salary of $11.6 million.

Cignetti’s Impressive Tenure

In his inaugural season with the Hoosiers in 2024, Cignetti led the team to a remarkable 10-2 record and a noteworthy appearance in the College Football Playoff. The current season sees the No. 3 ranked Hoosiers boasting a 6-0 record as they prepare to face Michigan State.

A Commitment to Excellence

• Scott Dolson, the athletic director, emphasized the university’s commitment, stating, “We didn’t come this far to only come this far.”
• Dolson insisted that Cignetti is the top priority for the program’s successful trajectory.

In a video shared on Indiana’s social media, Cignetti expressed gratitude for the state’s support, saying, “I couldn’t be more proud to be a Hoosier, and I plan on retiring as a Hoosier.”

Acknowledgments and Achievements

At 64, Cignetti received prestigious recognitions as the Big Ten Coach of the Year and National Coach of the Year from multiple organizations in 2024. Under his leadership, the Hoosiers have achieved an impressive 17-2 overall record, including an 11-1 mark against Big Ten opponents.

One of the season’s highlight victories was a stunning win over then-No. 3 Oregon on October 11, marking Indiana’s first victory against a top-five opponent since 1967.

Future Outlook

The contract extension runs through the 2033 regular season. Indiana University President Pamela Whitten highlighted Cignetti’s role in their mission for excellence, stating, “Put simply, Cig is a winner.”

Cignetti’s previous coaching roles include stints at James Madison, Elon, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Before this extension, he was expected to attract significant interest from other programs, with a prior buyout of $10 million scheduled to increase to $15 million under the new agreement. This move aims to provide stability as they work towards another College Football Playoff bid.

Utilizing the transfer portal effectively, Cignetti has revitalized a program that had struggled for decades. Before his arrival, the Hoosiers had never achieved 10 wins in a season in their 127-year history and had not recorded a winning season since 2020. Cignetti’s leadership has transformed Indiana from a 9-27 record over three seasons under the previous coach Tom Allen into a competitive contender in the Big Ten.