All eyes tuned into the college football world were on Indiana on Friday night.
The No. 22 Indiana Hoosiers host the Indiana State Sycamores. The Hoosiers are 7-1 all-time in the in-state matchup, with their most recent win coming in 2023, but both teams enter the matchup undefeated (2-0) on the year so far.
The Hoosiers’ Curt Cignetti is a five-time conference coach of the year and the 2024 national coach of the year.
Curt Cugnetti’s History with Nick Saban
While Cignetti’s success is undeniable, his history with former Alabama legend Nick Saban is often overlooked.
Cignetti previously served as Alabama’s receivers coach and recruiting coordinator as part of Saban’s inaugural coaching staff. According to CBS Sports, he was often known for helping his players and coaches prioritize the smaller details that would allow them to become their best selves.
On FS1’s “First Things First,” Cignetti said, “You know we just go out there, and start the year. And we got our way of doing things. We kick ass and take names.”
“We kick ass and take names.”
Curt Cignetti is a one-liner goldmine.
Here he is on FS1’s “First Things First” when asked about his process and plan: #iufb pic.twitter.com/CV8c1dAW04
— Jared Kelly (@Jared_Kelly7) July 23, 2025
He helped Saban and the Crimson Tide achieve a 12–0 regular season in 2008 and a 14–0 national championship season in 2009.
It’s also reported that Cignetti flourished under Saban’s regime. His quiet confidence allowed him to withstand Saban’s intense coaching style while remaining focused on the receiving group.
Burton Burns, Alabama’s running back coach from 2007-19, remembered Cignetti’s organizational skills, helping him stand out as an assistant coach.
“[Cignetti] was knowledgeable about recruiting and knew everybody on the board because he was sending us out,” Burns told CBS Sports. “He was built for the job; it was in his DNA. He knew how to do all those things. He was really good on the road. I went on the road a few times with him, and he was really good with coaches and the family of those kids.”
The now-Indiana head coach served under Saban from 2007-10, during which time the two coaching legends combined to help create many NFL greats, including Julio Jones and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram.
🔴⚪️⚪️⚪️ pic.twitter.com/iHAW2Lx9pU
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) September 12, 2025
Cignetti was named the head football coach at Indiana University on November 30, 2023, to replace the recently dismissed Tom Allen. He previously served as head coach at IUP, Elon, and Indiana after his tenure with the Crimson Tide came to a close.
Read More: How To Watch Indiana vs. Indiana State: Streaming Info, TV Channel, Date, Time, and More
During his first year with the team, he guided the Hoosiers to the best start in program history (10-0). Indiana extended Cignetti partway through his first season with a new eight-year contract and doubled his salary to $8 million annually.
Cignetti is also the son of former West Virginia head coach Frank Cignetti Sr.. He previously played quarterback for the West Virginia Mountaineers from 1979-1982 en route to his current 2024-25 season with Indiana.
