Curt Cignetti’s Winning Message at Indiana

When Curt Cignetti joined Indiana, he came with a clear, straightforward intention.

“Yes, it’s very simple: I win,” he declared at his first press conference.

This mantra has become part of Cignetti’s identity over the last two seasons. It’s even possible it might inspire a future bobblehead, depicting him at the podium rather than on the sidelines.

In his two years as head coach, Cignetti led a remarkable turnaround, guiding a team that struggled with a 3-9 record the year before. He turned them into an 11-2 contender in his first season, earning a spot in the College Football Playoff. Now, in his second year, he has positioned Indiana at the pinnacle of national championship contention — they’re set to face Miami in the title match.

How did he manage such swift transformation? Beyond instilling his message, he rebuilt the team’s roster, notably by making strategic use of the transfer portal. But, it’s not just about any players; Cignetti focused on those with proven performance, rather than merely untapped potential.

Going into the 2024 season, the cornerstone of his initial transfer class included 13 players who had followed him from James Madison to Indiana. Some key names, like Elijah Surratt, Aiden Fisher, D’Angelo Pons, Mikail Kamara, and Keylon Black, made significant contributions in the 2025 season. Surratt, particularly, has become a standout, serving as a major target for quarterback Fernando Mendoza.

The incoming 2024 transfer class totaled 31 players, featuring veterans known for their college success, as well as promising three-star recruits. Among them, Surratt and quarterback Curtis Rourke were notable four-star talents.

Mark Cuban, an Indiana State alumnus and a key supporter, recognized Cignetti’s vision from the start.

“Like Sig said, he’s looking for performance, not potential. That’s exactly what he was focused on,” Cuban observed. “He has built a team whose players know their roles, a coaching staff adept at integrating experienced athletes, and an organization that understands how to gather the right tools.”

Then came the Class of 2025, adding 23 more players to the roster, including four-star center Pat Coogan from Notre Dame, a significant addition.

Quarterback Mendoza is somewhat unique in today’s college football landscape. He began his journey as a three-star recruit at Yale, later moving to California as larger programs began to show interest. Although he didn’t start until midway through his redshirt freshman year, he emerged as the No. 4 quarterback in the transfer portal after an impressive season at Cal.

He chose Indiana, aligning with Cignetti to advance his career.

Mendoza had articulated earlier, “Having an offensive-minded coaching staff was really important to me, and that growth was really essential.”

He noted, “Every time I speak with former coaches and mentors, they say, ‘You’re doing well, but to really reach the next level, like the NFL, you need to be more polished and consistent.’ That’s something I wanted to achieve at Indiana.”

While Mendoza often makes headlines, a look at Indiana’s roster reveals a trend emphasizing “productivity over potential.” Fifth-year running backs Roman Hemby and Kaylon Black together handle almost 80% of Indiana’s rushing duties. Hemby returned to the Hoosiers from Maryland, while Black came along with Cignetti from James Madison.

Up front, Coogan and Drew Evans bolster the offensive line; Evans was a two-star recruit who had previously signed with Wisconsin. Other recruits like Carter Smith, Bray Lynch, and Adedamola Ajani joined Indiana as three-stars.

Surratt’s wide receiver corps features EJ Williams Jr., a transfer from Clemson, alongside Charlie Becker and Omar Cooper, who were recruited to Indiana, with Becker joining before Cignetti’s tenure. Riley Nowakowski, initially with Wisconsin, found a new home at Indiana after less playing time.

Defensively, Indiana’s front seven largely comprises transfer players. Dominic Ratliff, Tyrik Tucker, Hosea Wheeler, and Mikail Kamara were all three-star recruits through the portal. Freshman Tyron Burrus Jr. is the only freshman signed, while standout linebackers Lolija Hardy and Isiah Jones are two of Indiana’s rare signees—Hardy originally a one-star recruit—alongside Aidan Fisher, another talent who followed Cignetti from James Madison.

Interestingly, the individual who might best symbolize Indiana’s roster isn’t Mendoza but safety Louis Moore. He started at Navarro College, transferred to Indiana with Cignetti, then went to Ole Miss for a season, before returning to Bloomington.

He’s expected to celebrate his 25th birthday just after the national championship game.

This influx of veteran transfers has resulted in a more mature and seasoned roster. Indiana is filled with players aged 22 and above, and many juniors and seniors round out the two deep.

Coogan acknowledged, “It’s a very veteran group. It’s a mature group that knows how to turn Cignetti’s message into on-field execution.”

Hemby echoed this, stating, “Having veterans makes our job easier; we bring the experience of those who have been through similar challenges.” The shared history fosters a mentality that drives them, he feels, enhancing their resilience and leading to victories.

This team may also have the potential to challenge the established notion of the “Blue-chip ratio.” This concept, introduced by Bud Elliott, suggests that to win a national title, a team must have signed more four- and five-star recruits than two- and three-star athletes in their last four recruiting classes.

Historically, every team that has clinched the title since the Blue-chip ratio’s introduction in 2011 has adhered to this standard.

Interestingly, Indiana’s team, built more on proven experience and production than prospective talent, might just defy this trend.