Head coach Curt Cignetti raised the bar in his debut season with the Indiana Hoosiers. In just one year, he turned the program into a powerhouse, leading them to an impressive 11-2 record and a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff, which is a feat rarely achieved by first-year head coaches.
Hired in November of 2023, Cignetti didn’t just take the reins. In fact, he completely revamped the program, setting a new standard for success in Bloomington. The head coach brought in 31 new players via the transfer portal, and 13 of them were recruits from his previous team, the James Madison Dukes.
Curt Cignetti Has Ignited Championship Hopes for Indiana in 2025
On Monday, College Football Network’s Oliver Hodgkinson ranked the top 30 first-year head coaches based on their impact in the 2024 season. There was no debate about who deserved the No. 1 spot.
Curt Cignetti claimed the top honor, earning a stellar “A+” grade for his transformative efforts in revitalizing the Indiana Hoosiers and making them a serious contender once again.
“Cignetti would have you Google his accomplishments, but let’s spell some out for you here. No other first-year head coach led his team to a bigger winning swing than the eight-game difference from 2023 vs. 2024. Indiana’s Big Ten record contained seven more wins this year compared to last. His team scored 19.1 more points per game than the one left behind by Tom Allen while allowing 14.2 less,” Hodgkinson wrote.
Moreover, he also predicted that there’s a good chance that their performance would only get better in the coming season.
“Their run to the College Football Playoff was electric despite the national scrutiny and protestations that the Hoosiers didn’t belong. Not only did they earn the right to national attention, they’re well set up to remain there,” he added.
Cignetti completely reshaped the perception of Indiana Hoosiers football. Even though their Cinderella run ended with a hard-fought 27-17 loss to Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff, the Hoosiers shattered expectations along the way. His remarkable turnaround didn’t go unnoticed, as he was honored as the AP Coach of the Year.
Cignetti Didn’t Face Any Issue Retaining Key Players
The Hoosiers experienced a quiet national signing day this year since many of their expected starters will be a part of their roster in 2025. However, the Hoosiers lost a few prominent backups. Still, Indiana added two high school players, quarterback Jacob Bell and linebacker Amari Kamara.
“I think everybody was in a good place, excited about where we’re going,” Cignetti said on Wednesday. “Obviously had a good experience last fall. And really didn’t lose anybody that was in our long-term plan, which is a real plus.”
MORE: Way-Too-Early 2025-2026 College Football Playoff Prediction
While Indiana’s coaching staff kept their sights set on the 2026 class, the Hoosiers still navigated key roster changes this offseason. Six players departed during the winter transfer portal window, including standout wide receiver Donovan McCulley.
However, Indiana also secured key returnees for the 2025 season, bringing back big contributors like linebacker Aiden Fisher, defensive end Mikail Kamara, cornerback D’Angelo Ponds, wide receiver Elijah Sarratt, offensive lineman Carter Smith, and kicker Nicolas Radicic, ensuring stability as they build for the future.
“The very visible players, you know, we handled those guys on the front end,” Cignetti added. “The retention piece was not really an issue.”
Not only that, but even the players who left the team last season wish to come back in 2025. The head coach was quite elated by the response, as this is a testament to a culture he has already established on campus.
“I think it says a lot about what went on last year that guys who had left on the front end and then returned,” he said.
Now, Indiana fans can realistically hope to clinch the national championship title, especially under Curt Cignetti’s reign.
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