Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti is making waves in the world of college football. After leading the Hoosiers to a remarkable 10-0 start and securing a No. 5 ranking in the College Football Playoff for 2024, he has become one of the most sought-after names in the sport. To solidify his future in Bloomington, Indiana recently announced a new contract for Cignetti, extending his tenure by three additional seasons.
Upcoming Showdown with Ohio State
This exciting news comes just a week before Indiana’s most significant game of the season—a highly anticipated clash against No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus, set for Saturday at noon ET. The stakes couldn’t be higher, as both teams are vying for supremacy in the Big Ten. With Cignetti at the helm, Indiana is poised to make a statement against one of college football’s powerhouse programs.
Curt Cignetti’s contract details
So, what does Cignetti’s new deal entail? His initial contract, signed in December 2023, was valued at $4.5 million annually. However, under the new agreement, he will earn an impressive $8 million per year. This contract not only includes a one-year retention bonus but also extends through 2029, providing stability for both Cignetti and the program.
The Indianapolis Star reports that the contract also features significant support from the university for program infrastructure, including staffing and salary pools for assistant coaches. The total guaranteed compensation is estimated to be around $72 million, making Cignetti the highest-paid employee in Indiana’s history.
What does Cignetti think?
Cignetti expressed his gratitude during a press conference, stating, “The university has made a very significant financial commitment to football in a lot of areas. And I’m appreciative of the opportunity to lead the program and continue to develop the program moving forward. I’m excited about our future.” His enthusiasm reflects the optimism surrounding the Hoosiers’ program and its potential trajectory.
A look at Cignetti’s past salary
It’s fascinating to see how far Cignetti has come in terms of salary. During his last two seasons at James Madison University, where he posted an impressive 19-4 record, he was earning just over $620,000 annually. To put this in perspective, here’s a quick breakdown of his earnings during his tenure at JMU:
- 2023: $677,311
- 2022: $621,008
- 2021: $459,638
- 2020: $437,750
- 2019: $425,000
When Indiana hired Cignetti in December 2023, they paid JMU $1.2 million to fulfill the terms of his contract. Cignetti’s success at JMU included a remarkable 52-9 record over five seasons and a championship game appearance in 2019. His transition from FCS to FBS has been nothing short of impressive, and now he’s making his mark in a major conference.
Curt Cignetti salary vs. Ryan Day
As Cignetti prepares to face off against Ohio State, it’s essential to look at the financial landscape of college football coaching. He will be going head-to-head with Ryan Day, the Buckeyes’ long-time coach, who is one of the highest-paid coaches in the nation. Day, who has been with Ohio State since 2018, earns a staggering $10,021,250 annually, placing him among the top five highest-paid coaches in college football.
When Day was hired, he signed a five-year contract worth $4.5 million annually. In May 2022, he extended his contract for seven years, securing his position through 2028. His record of 65-9 over the last seven seasons speaks volumes about his coaching prowess and the expectations surrounding the Ohio State program.
Highest-paid college football coaches
Cignetti’s new salary places him among the top-20 highest-paid coaches in college football. Here’s a snapshot of the coaches with the most lucrative contracts:
- Georgia’s Kirby Smart: $13.28 million annually
- Clemson’s Dabo Swinney: $11.13 million annually
- Texas’ Steve Sarkisian: $10.03 million annually
- USC’s Lincoln Riley: $10.04 million annually
- Ohio State’s Ryan Day: $10.02 million annually
- Florida State’s Mike Norvell: $10 million annually
- Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer: $10 million annually
- LSU’s Brian Kelly: $9.975 million annually
- Kentucky’s Mark Stoops: $9.013 million annually
- Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin: $9 million annually
- Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz: $9 million annually
- Tennessee’s Josh Heupel: $9 million annually
- Penn State’s James Franklin: $8.5 million annually
- Oregon’s Dan Lanning: $8.2 million annually
- Oklahoma’s Brent Venables: $8.15 million annually
- Indiana’s Curt Cignetti: $8 million annually
- Miami’s Mario Cristobal: $7.783 million annually
- Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy: $7.750 million annually
- Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell: $7.725 million annually
- Washington’s Jedd Fisch: $7.700 million annually
With Cignetti’s impressive performance, it’s clear that he has earned this pay increase. If he continues to lead Indiana to new heights, this likely won’t be the last time we see his salary rise. The future looks bright for both Cignetti and the Hoosiers as they aim for a successful season ahead.
