Indiana coach Curt Cignetti has become a household name after his spectacular success leading the No. 1 Hoosiers to the first national championship in program history on Monday. Cignetti has been hailed in all corners for fulfilling the promise he made when he was appointed Indiana coach in November 2023.
The charismatic Hoosiers coach has provided several memorable soundbites and has become an internet favorite for his serious expression on the sideline during Indiana games.
Aiden Fisher Reveals Curt Cignetti’s Happiness After Natty Win
During an appearance on Monday’s segment of the “Pat McAfee Show,” Indiana linebacker Aiden Fisher revealed that the national championship win finally got Cignetti to crack a smile for a sustained period of time.
“I think if you’d told me two years ago, transferring from JMU to here, that we were gonna win a national championship, it would have been hard to believe,” Fisher said. “Just an unbelievable feeling, it was an emotional moment for everybody involved and we finally got Cig to crack a smile for longer than five seconds, so that was good to see.”
Cignetti has received praise from all corners for transforming Indiana from a basketball school to a powerhouse in college football in just two seasons in charge after joining from the James Madison Dukes in 2023.
During a news conference before the Peach Bowl clash against the Oregon Ducks, Cignetti revealed the practical reason for his dour demeanor on the sidelines.
“I mean, there’s a lot of times I am happy,” Cignetti said. “I just don’t show I’m happy. And if I’m going to ask my players to play the first game, first play to play 150 the same, regardless of the competitive circumstances, then I can’t be seen on the sideline high-fiving people and celebrating, or what’s going to happen? What’s the effect going to be?”
“That’s why I am like I am in the game. I got to make important decisions to manage the game: in terms of game management, when to use a timeout, when not to use a timeout, whether to be aggressive in two-minute. … So you got to be dialed in. I’ll smile and celebrate later in the coaches’ room with the coaches, maybe have a beer,” Cignetti added.
Cignetti’s turnaround of the Hoosiers, from a 3-9 team in 2023 to national champions after a flawless season (16-0) in two years, has instantly elevated him into the pantheon of college football greats. Indiana finished the season as the top-ranked defense and offense on PFSN’s College Football metrics.
