After head coach Curt Cignetti led the team to the first 16-0 season in FBS history, Indiana claimed its first national title.
When Cignetti took the reins in Bloomington, Indiana was one of the losingest teams in Division I. However, through recruiting and the effective use of the transfer portal, the coach turned the Hoosiers into winners.
What Pat McAfee Said About Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti’s Success
During its championship run, Indiana and Cignetti received praise from all corners.
On today’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show,” the host took a moment to heap congratulations upon the coach in his own way.
Coach Cignetti has turned Indiana into a POWERHOUSE..
He knows how to evaluate the right players for his system #PMSLive https://t.co/RqZM8B70i2 pic.twitter.com/f7gHfAXdhJ
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) May 1, 2026
“He’s turned Indiana into a powerhouse quickly because he’s been able to evaluate. His evaluation is better than everybody else. If he thinks you’re a good player, he’s probably right. For his system, if he likes you, it seemingly works out. You can Google him.”
Everywhere Cignetti has worked as the head coach, he’s enjoyed success, from conference championships to postseason appearances. For example, he led Indiana University of Pennsylvania to three postseason tournament appearances.
Whether it was Elon or James Madison, Cignetti found a way to bring his team to success. In 15 seasons, he’s never finished with a losing record.
On top of that, he’s reached the championship game at both the FCS (James Madison) and FBS (Indiana) levels. McAfee elaborated on what Cignetti walked into when he accepted the Indiana coaching job.
“He said it was such a dreary place when it came to football, that he needed to change the expectations and what the standard is around there quickly.”
For the 125 seasons before Cignetti arrived, Indiana routinely lost and rarely threatened Big Ten supremacy. With two conference championships and three bowl wins, the program lagged behind its contemporaries.
The dreariness found its way into the headlines. In 2021, the Hoosiers’ jerseys ahead of a game against Iowa had an issue.
The name across the jersey read “Indinia.” The networks pointed this out, making the program a national punchline.
In two years, Cignetti changed the talent and culture of the Hoosiers, and the stats bear that out. In the five seasons before Cignetti’s arrival, the program ranked no higher than No. 35. In contrast, Cignetti’s offenses occupied the No. 7 and No. 1 spots in the PFSN CFB Offense Impact Rankings.
Indiana kicks off its season with four consecutive home games, starting with North Texas on Sept. 5. Can Cignetti keep the program among the country’s best?
