LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Curt Cignetti, the hottest name in college football coaching, isn't going anywhere.
Indiana University announced Thursday that Cignetti has agreed to a new eight-year contract worth an average of $11.6 million per year — a bold move that not only silences rumors linking him to powerhouse programs like Penn State, but reinforces IU's commitment to chasing championships.
The deal runs through 2033 and keeps the architect of Indiana's football renaissance at the helm during what's shaping up to be a legitimate College Football Playoff run.
Georgia's Kirby Smart, at $13 million annually, and Ohio State's Ryan Day, at $12.5 million, are reported to be the highest paid coaches in college football by average annual income. Cignetti's new deal puts him just ahead of USC's Lincoln Riley in the No. 3 spot.
“At Indiana University, we are committed to performing at the highest levels in everything we do, and no one has exemplified that more than Coach Cignetti,” said IU President Pamela Whitten. “Put simply, Cig is a winner.”
Since arriving in Bloomington, the 64-year-old Cignetti has engineered one of the most stunning turnarounds in college football.
The Hoosiers are 17-2 under his watch, including 11-1 in Big Ten play. Last season, Cignetti led IU to its first-ever College Football Playoff appearance. This year, he has them ranked No. 3 in the country — the highest ranking in program history — with a perfect 6-0 record and marquee wins over No. 9 Illinois and No. 3 Oregon.
The win at Oregon marked Indiana's first-ever road victory over a top-five opponent.
“As much as anyone, he believed in what was possible with our program, and he's turned that belief into reality,” said IU athletic director Scott Dolson. “This is a great day for IU football and Indiana University.”
IU football's success hasn't just been confined to the field. Sellouts have become the norm in Bloomington, with every Big Ten home game in 2025 already sold out — a reflection of a fan base reinvigorated by Cignetti's no-nonsense approach and consistent winning.
Cignetti, who was a rumored target for the head coaching job at Penn State — in his home state of Pennsylvania — has now put those conversations to bed. With his new deal locked in, the Hoosiers can keep their focus on what's next: a Big Ten title chase and another run at the College Football Playoff.
Indiana hosts Michigan State on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
Related Stories:
Coffee with Crawford | In praise of late bloomers: At 64, Indiana's Cignetti is just getting started
Indiana football vaults to No. 3 in the AP Top 25, the highest ranking in its history
Copyright 2025 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
