Curt Cignetti
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Curt Cignetti. A name that's rapidly becoming synonymous with college football success. Born June 2, 1961, this American coaching maestro is currently at the helm of Indiana University, but his impact stretches far beyond Bloomington. Before leading the Hoosiers, Cignetti built formidable programs at James Madison University, Elon University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania, or IUP.
His trophy cabinet speaks volumes: five-time conference coach of the year, and the 2024 national coach of the year. But what truly sets Cignetti apart is a unique, almost unbelievable, achievement: he's the only college football coach to have started 10-0 with *two different teams* in consecutive seasons. He first etched his name in the record books with James Madison in 2023, and then, remarkably, repeated the feat with Indiana in 2024.
Before the sidelines, Cignetti was under center himself, a quarterback for the West Virginia Mountaineers from 1979 to 1982.
His coaching journey began as a graduate assistant at Pitt in 1983, under Foge Fazio. From there, he honed his skills at Davidson College, Rice University, and Temple University.
A pivotal chapter unfolded in 2000 when Cignetti joined Chuck Amato's staff at NC State. Under his guidance, the Wolfpack soared, achieving a school-record 11 wins in 2002. He coached Philip Rivers, who earned ACC Player of the Year honors, and led NC State to five bowl appearances, winning four. He even recruited Russell Wilson, a future Super Bowl champion, to the Wolfpack.
In 2007, Cignetti became a cornerstone of Nick Saban's inaugural staff at Alabama, serving as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. The Crimson Tide experienced unprecedented success, including a perfect 12-0 regular season in 2008 and a national championship in 2009. During this era, Alabama boasted a staggering 29-game regular-season winning streak. Cignetti's recruiting prowess was on full display, bringing in future stars like Julio Jones, Heisman winner Mark Ingram II, and Dont'a Hightower. The 2008 recruiting class alone featured six future first-round NFL Draft selections.
Now, let's talk about his head coaching career, where the legend truly grew.
At IUP, Cignetti inherited a program struggling for success. In his very first season, 2011, he flipped the script, leading them to a 7-3 record. The following year, IUP claimed the PSAC title and reached the NCAA Regional Finals. He guided IUP to NCAA playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016, finishing with a remarkable 53-17 record over six seasons, securing two conference championships. On December 31, 2016, he took his talents to Elon University.
At Elon, Cignetti faced a daunting challenge, inheriting a program with a dismal record and six consecutive losing seasons. But the Phoenix under his leadership? They soared. After an opening loss, they rattled off eight straight wins, climbing as high as sixth nationally. They competed for the conference championship and earned their first NCAA Playoff berth since 2009. His efforts earned him CAA Coach of the Year and a finalist nod for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award. In 2018, he orchestrated a historic upset, snapping James Madison's 22-game conference winning streak and securing back-to-back playoff appearances for Elon for the first time ever.
Then came James Madison. Cignetti was named head coach on December 14, 2018, and the Dukes were never the same. In his first season, he led them to a 14-2 record and an appearance in the FCS National Championship game. Despite a shortened 2020 season, JMU reached the FCS Semifinals. In 2021, they finished 12-2 and made the monumental move to the FBS level. In their inaugural 2022 season, JMU seamlessly transitioned, finishing 8-3 and sharing the Sun Belt East Division title.
And now, Indiana. Cignetti was named head coach on November 30, 2023, and the Hoosiers' trajectory changed overnight. He guided Indiana to its first 8-0 start since 1967, then a 9-0 record, and ultimately, a program-best 10-0 start. The Hoosiers achieved their first-ever 11-win season, highlighted by a stunning victory over defending national champions Michigan. This earned them national recognition, a top-five ranking, and a coveted College Football Playoff berth. They finished the season ranked number ten with an 11-2 record. Indiana University recognized his immediate impact, extending Cignetti with an eight-year contract, doubling his salary and committing to significant program upgrades.
The 2025 season has continued the remarkable ascent. Entering the year ranked #20, the Hoosiers climbed to #7 after a 5-0 start. Then, a historic moment: a 30-20 victory over #3 Oregon at Autzen Stadium. This marked Indiana's first-ever road win against a top-5 team and their second top-5 win in program history. Following this triumph, Indiana soared to #3 in the AP poll, the highest ranking in program history.
Off the field, Curt Cignetti and his wife, Manette, are parents to Curt Jr., Carly Ann, and Natalie Elise. His brother, Frank Jr., also coaches, serving as offensive coordinator at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Curt Cignetti’s coaching record is a testament to his vision and execution. He stands as the first NCAA Division I head coach to start 8-0 or better in consecutive seasons at different institutions. At Indiana, he holds records for most head coaching wins in a single season with 11, most Big Ten wins in a season with 8, and was the first to start his tenure 4-0, reach double-digit wins, and make the College Football Playoff. For James Madison, he boasts the most single-season wins with 14 and most conference wins with 8, and led them to their first FBS bowl game. At Elon, he achieved the first win over a top-five FCS opponent and back-to-back playoff appearances. Curt Cignetti isn't just coaching football; he's building legacies.
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Curt Cignetti (
born June 2, 1961) is an American college football coach who is currently serving as the head football coach at Indiana University. He has previously held head coaching positions at James Madison University, Elon University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). He is a five-time conference coach of the year and the 2024 national coach of the year. He is the only college football coach to have started 10-0 with two different teams in consecutive seasons. He achieved this unique distinction with James Madison University in 2023 and Indiana University in 2024.
== Playing career ==
Cignetti played quarterback for the West Virginia Mountaineers from 1979–1982.
== Assistant coaching career ==
After graduating from West Virginia, Cignetti began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Pitt in 1983 under Foge Fazio. He has also coached at Davidson College, Rice University, and Temple University.
In 2000, Cignetti joined Chuck Amato's staff at North Carolina State University (NC State). During his tenure, the Wolfpack achieved significant success, including a school-record 11-win season in 2002. In 2003, he coached quarterback Philip Rivers, who earned ACC Player of the Year honors. Over seven seasons, NC State participated in five bowl games, securing victories in four. Notably, in 2006, Cignetti recruited future Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson to the Wolfpack.
In 2007, Cignetti became part of Nick Saban's inaugural coaching staff at the University of Alabama, serving as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. During Cignetti's time under Saban at Alabama, the Crimson Tide achieved remarkable success, including a 12–0 regular season in 2008 and a 14–0 national championship season in 2009. During this period, Alabama won 29 consecutive regular-season games. Cignetti played a pivotal role in recruiting and developing key players, such as wide receiver Julio Jones, Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II, and linebacker Dont'a Hightower. The 2008 recruiting class featured six future first-round NFL Draft selections.
== Head coaching career ==
=== IUP (2011–2016) ===
When Curt Cignetti became head coach at IUP in 2011, the program was coming off a 4–10 conference record in the previous 2 seasons. In his first season, he revitalized the team, which won six of its final seven games by an average margin of 28 points, finishing 7–3. The following year, IUP won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) title and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals, ending the season 12–2. In 2013, Cignetti’s team posted a 9–2 record, and he guided IUP to NCAA playoff appearances in both 2015 and 2016. His 2016 team finished 10–2. Across six seasons, Cignetti compiled a 53–17 record at IUP, with three NCAA playoff appearances and two conference championships. On December 31, 2016, he accepted the head coaching position at Elon University.
=== Elon (2017–2018) ===
At Elon, Cignetti inherited a program with a 4–20 conference record and six consecutive losing seasons. In his first year, the Phoenix turned their fortunes around, winning eight straight games after an opening loss to MAC champion Toledo. The team was ranked as high as sixth nationally and competed against James Madison for the conference championship, earning their first NCAA Playoff berth since 2009. For this turnaround, Cignetti was named Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award. In 2018, Cignetti led Elon to a historic 27–24 victory over James Madison, snapping JMU's 22-game CAA winning streak and 19-game home winning streak. This marked Elon’s first win over a top-five FCS opponent and helped the team secure back-to-back NCAA playoff appearances for the first time in program history.
=== James Madison (2019–2023) ===
Cignetti was named head coach at James Madison on December 14, 2018. In his first season, he orchestrated a dramatic turnaround, leading the Dukes to a 14–2 record and an appearance in the FCS National Championship game, where they fell to North Dakota State. In the pandemic-affected 2020 season, shortened and delayed to spring 2021, JMU finished 7–1 and reached the FCS Semifinals. The 2021 season saw further success, as the Dukes finished 12–2 and announced their move from the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) to the Sun Belt Conference. In their first season at the FBS level in 2022, JMU made a seamless transition, finishing 8–3 and earning a share of the Sun Belt East Division title.
=== Indiana (2024–present) ===
==== 2024 season ====
Cignetti was named head football coach at Indiana University on November 30, 2023, to replace the recently dismissed Tom Allen. Cignetti guided Indiana to its first 8–0 start since 1967, then to a 9–0 record, marking a program milestone, and finally to a 10–0 start, the best in Indiana football history. The Hoosiers achieved their first-ever 11-win season, highlighted by a victory over defending national champions Michigan, earning the team national recognition, a top-five ranking, and a College Football Playoff berth. Indiana finished the season being ranked number ten in the country with an 11–2 record, their season ending with a loss to Notre Dame in the first round of the 2024–25 College Football Playoff.
Indiana University extended Cignetti partway through his first season with a new eight-year contract. The deal doubled his salary to $8 million annually and included commitments to upgrade the football program, such as stadium enhancements and increased athlete and staff compensation.
==== 2025 season ====
Entering 2025, Indiana Hoosiers was ranked #20 in the AP Top 25 to open the season. After starting 5–0 and rising to #7 in the rankings, the Hoosiers defeated #3 Oregon by a score of 30–20 at Autzen Stadium. This marked Indiana's first ever win against a top-5 team on the road, and their second ever win against a top-5 team, the first since they defeated Purdue in 1967. Following the win, Indiana rose to #3 in the AP poll, the highest ranking in program history.
== Personal life ==
Cignetti and his wife, Manette, have three children, Curt Jr., Carly Ann, and Natalie Elise. His brother, Frank Jr., also coaches and is offensive coordinator at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He previously served as Pitt offensive coordinator.
== Head coaching record ==
== Records and accomplishments ==
=== NCAA Division I ===
First NCAA Division I head coach to start 8–0 or better in consecutive seasons at different institutions (James Madison in 2023, 10–0; Indiana in 2024, 10–0)
=== Indiana ===
First head coach to defeat an AP top-five ranked opponent on the road (2025)
Most head coaching wins in a single season: 11 (2024)
Most Big Ten Conference head coaching wins in a single season: 8 (2024)
First head coach to start their tenure with a 4–0 record (2024)
First head coach to reach double-digit wins in a single season (2024)
First head coach to reach the College Football Playoff (2024–25)
=== James Madison ===
Most head coaching wins in a single season: 14 (2019)
Tied with Mike Houston (2016, 2017)
Most Coastal Athletic Association head coaching wins in a single season: 8 (2019)
Tied with Mike Houston (2008, 2016, 2017)
First head coach to reach an NCAA Division I FBS bowl game (2023 Armed Forces Bowl)
=== Elon ===
First head coach to defeat a top-five FCS opponent (October 16, 2018, at No. 2 James Madison)
First head coach to reach the NCAA Division I FCS Playoffs in back-to-back seasons (2017–2018)
== References ==
== External links ==
Indiana profile
James Madison profile
Elon profile
IUP profile
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