Curt Cignetti of Indiana receives an 8-year contract extension amid coaching rumors from Penn State

Indiana University Extends Coach Curt Cignetti’s Contract

It seems if the Nittany Lions had their hopes pinned on getting Curt Cignetti, those plans will need to change. Indiana University has officially extended Cignetti’s contract for eight more years, solidifying him as one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.

The extension is valued at $93 million, averaging about $11.6 million per season, running through November 30, 2033. That’s a pretty significant commitment, right?

This decision comes right on the heels of speculation that Cignetti might be targeted by Penn State to take over after they let go of James Franklin, especially following a tough three-game losing streak this season.

Indiana University President Pamela Witten expressed confidence, stating, “At Indiana University, we are committed to the highest level of performance in everything we do, and no one exemplifies that more than Coach Cignetti. Simply put, Cig is the winner.”

With this new deal, Cignetti now ranks third in college football compensation, behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Ohio State’s Ryan Day.

The success of the IU football program has been impressive, especially considering their recent achievements, including a College Football Playoff appearance last year and a current top-three national ranking. Witten added, “Curt and Manette Cignetti call Indiana home, and we are thrilled that they will continue to be part of the Hoosier family for many years.”

Last season was momentous for Cignetti, earning him accolades like National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading Indiana to an 11-1 record. Although they fell short against Notre Dame, the trajectory seemed promising.

As of now, the Hoosiers are undefeated at 6-0, with quarterback Fernando Mendoza shining as a Heisman contender. It’s worth noting that Ohio State is the only other Big Ten team matching their record so far.

Indiana’s recent victory against Oregon State has fueled ambitions for a national title, emphasizing their competitive edge this season.

Before this extension, Cignetti earned $8.3 million—an amount that put him at 18th in college football contracts and 7th in the Big Ten. But with Penn State and others looking for coaching talent, Indiana acted quickly to secure Cignetti’s future.