Curt Cignetti’s Journey: What Earned Him AP Coach of the Year?

Curt Cignetti’s first season as Indiana’s head football coach has been nothing short of remarkable. Promising success upon taking the job last fall, he led the Hoosiers to a record-setting 11-win season, a top-10 national ranking, and their first-ever College Football Playoff berth. His incredible impact earned him The Associated Press Coach of the Year award on Tuesday, receiving 30 out of 45 votes from AP Top 25 voters.

Historic Recognition and Tough Competition

Cignetti’s transformational work at Indiana outshined other notable coaching performances this season. Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham came in second with eight votes, while Oregon’s Dan Lanning and SMU’s Rhett Lashlee followed with five and two votes, respectively.

“Thank you to The Associated Press for this tremendous team honor,” Cignetti said after receiving the award. “Our program has had a great season, and we look forward to opening the College Football Playoff against Notre Dame on Friday.”

His recognition marks the first time an Indiana football coach has won the award since its inception in 1998. His predecessor, Tom Allen, came close in 2020 when he led the Hoosiers to a 6-2 season and a No. 12 final national ranking.

Turning Indiana into a Powerhouse

Cignetti’s arrival at Indiana sparked immediate success, reversing the fortunes of a program burdened by the most losses in Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) history. The Hoosiers went from being an afterthought to contenders, earning a historic 11-1 record.

His coaching pedigree speaks volumes. Cignetti has never endured a losing season in 14 years as a head coach. His track record includes stints at Alabama, where he served as Nick Saban’s first recruiting coordinator and helped secure a national title, and successful coaching runs at IUP, Elon, and James Madison.

Even Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman acknowledged Cignetti’s impressive résumé:

“I didn’t know much about him, so I took a minute and Googled him… He’s won everywhere he’s been. He’s done a great job,” Freeman said.

Unprecedented Success on the Field

Cignetti’s leadership propelled Indiana to a season filled with record-breaking achievements:

– School-Record Wins: Indiana achieved its first-ever 10-0 start and posted double-digit wins for the first time in school history.

– Dominant Performances: The Hoosiers’ 77-3 victory over Western Illinois set a school record for largest margin of victory. They also posted two of their biggest Big Ten wins: a 56-7 blowout over Nebraska and a 66-0 shutout of rival Purdue.

– Playoff Berth Secured: Indiana’s strong performances secured the No. 10 seed in the College Football Playoff, setting up a showdown against No. 3 Notre Dame.

Balanced and Effective Game Plan

Indiana’s success isn’t just about offensive firepower — though averaging 43.3 points per game certainly helped. The Hoosiers boast one of the nation’s best defenses, ranking sixth in scoring defense (14.67 points allowed per game) and first in run defense, allowing only 70.8 rushing yards per game.

Their only loss came against then-No. 2 Ohio State, and even then, Indiana only trailed in the second half of that game. Ten of their 11 wins were by margins of 14 points or more, highlighting their dominance throughout the season.

Looking Ahead

Despite all the accolades, Cignetti and his team remain focused on what lies ahead.

“This team’s accomplished a lot. I’m proud of what they’ve achieved,” Cignetti said. “But no one’s satisfied. The players are hungry for more, and the coaches are hungry for more.”

With the College Football Playoff game against Notre Dame looming, the Hoosiers are determined to continue their remarkable journey and push the boundaries of what Indiana football can achieve.

Curt Cignetti’s transformational impact on Indiana’s football program has been one of the most compelling stories in college football this season. By blending experience, a winning mindset, and a relentless work ethic, he has turned a struggling program into a national powerhouse in record time.

As Indiana prepares for its playoff debut, one thing is clear: Cignetti’s legacy is already firmly established — and the best may be yet to come.