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If the Nittany Lions were counting on Curt Cignetti heading to State College, they need to move on to plan B.
Indiana University has agreed to a massive eight-year contract extension with Cignetti, their head football coach, making him the third highest paid coach in college football.
Cignetti’s new contract is worth $93 million over eight years, which pays him about $11.6 million per season. The contract is expected to last until November 30, 2033.
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Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti walks into Kinnick Stadium before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on September 27. (Jeffrey Becker/Imagn Images)
The extension follows rumors that Cignetti is someone Penn State could pursue to replace James Franklin, who was fired after three straight losses this season.
“At Indiana University, we are committed to performing at the highest level in everything we do, and no one has exemplified that better than Coach Cignetti,” Indiana University President Pamela Whitten said in a statement. “Simply put, Cig is a winner.”
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Cignetti trails only Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($13.3 million per season) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($12.6 million).
“From making last year’s College Football Playoff to this year’s top 3 national ranking, the success of the IU football program has been tremendous. Curt and Manette Cignetti call Indiana home and are excited that the Cignetti family will be Hoosiers for many years to come.”
Cignetti truly transformed the Hoosiers football program. He earned national and Big Ten coach of the year honors last season after Indiana finished 11-1 during the regular season to reach the College Football Playoff. They were eliminated by the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but it was clear that Indiana was headed in the right direction.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti watches his team play Oregon at Autzen Stadium Oct. 11 in Eugene, Oregon. (Soobum Im/Getty Images)
This season, with Heisman favorite Fernando Mendoza leading the way at quarterback, the Hoosiers are 6-0. Only Ohio State has the same record in the Big Ten through six games.
Indiana’s recent victory over Oregon on their home field in Bloomington solidified the Hoosiers as a true national title contender this season.
Before the extension, Cignetti was making $8.3 million this season with no bonuses in his contract. This is the 18th highest number in college football and the 7th highest in the Big Ten.
So while Penn State looked to potentially lure Cignetti away from the Hoosiers, Indiana moved quickly to keep its coach in place to continue building its program. Arkansas is also looking for a new head coach.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on the sidelines against Oregon at Autzen Stadium Oct. 11 in Eugene, Oregon. (Troy Wayrynen/Imagn Images)
Cignetti and the Hoosiers will look to remain undefeated this weekend in a matchup against Michigan State.
