A head coach with the Midas touch, it didn’t take long for Curt Cignetti to bring unprecedented success to the Indiana Hoosiers after his arrival from the James Madison Dukes. As a result, the Hoosiers’ head coach earned himself a substantial payday and contract increase midway through November 2024.
What are the details of Cignetti’s new contract, salary, and net worth? Let’s find out!
Curt Cignetti’s Salary and Contract in 2024
On Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, it was announced that Indiana had signed their head coach to a contract extension through the 2032 season. Under the terms of the deal, Cignetti will now earn an average of $8 million. He’ll also earn a $1 million retention bonus each year that he’s in post.
It’s a substantial boost for a head coach who has transformed the fortunes of a once-beleaguered program. It is just a handful of months since Cignetti signed a $4.5 million deal to take over the Hoosiers after leading a remarkable FBS transition by James Madison. His new contract also features a three-year extension as his original deal was set to expire at the end of 2029.
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“Since arriving on campus, Coach Cignetti has been the architect of one of college football’s greatest turnarounds and has shown the world that IU is also a football school,” said Indiana University President Pamela Whitten upon announcing the new deal.
“Coach Cignetti exemplifies IU’s goal to win in all that we do. The success he has brought to Indiana football is shining a light on all that is amazing about Indiana University. We are excited that Coach Cignetti and his wonderful family will be a part of the Hoosier Nation for many years to come.”
Cignetti received his new contract and salary raise as the Hoosiers are on a bye week. The former James Madison head coach has transformed a team with just three wins in Big Ten play in three seasons to an outfit on the verge of the College Football Playoff after rushing out to a 10-0 record. The program has never had a double-digit win campaign.
The Indiana head coach held a 29-4-0 record as an FBS head coach at the time of his contract extension, with 2024 being his second successive 10+ win campaign. All three of his FBS teams have been ranked in the AP Top 25 Poll against preseason expectations. Cignetti was the 2023 Sun Belt Coach of the Year in his final season with the Dukes.
Curt Cignetti’s Net Worth
Based on his eight-year contract with a reported average salary of $8 million, Cignetti has a net worth of $64 million. His new deal makes him one of the most valuable coaches in the Big Ten — and college football. However, Indiana fans would argue that you can’t put a price on the success he’s brought to the Hoosiers.
Furthermore, Cignett’s net worth of $64 million doesn’t include any salary accrued at James Madison (the details of which have never been divulged). It also doesn’t include potential bonuses that weren’t immediately obvious upon the announcement of his contract.
What is clear is that Cignetti’s salary makes him the highest-paid employee in the history of the University of Indiana.
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