Indiana University is making a bold statement about its commitment to football by locking in head coach Curt Cignetti with a lucrative new contract. This move comes during the Hoosiers’ bye week, a time often used for reflection and planning, and Indiana wasted no time in securing Cignetti’s future with the program.
Curt Cignetti’s remarkable season
Cignetti’s impact on the Hoosiers has been nothing short of extraordinary. Under his leadership, Indiana has achieved its first-ever 10-0 start in school history. This remarkable feat has not only put the Hoosiers in contention for the College Football Playoff but also for a coveted Big Ten title. The excitement surrounding the team is palpable, and fans are rallying behind a program that seems poised for greatness.
Details of the new contract
So, what does this new contract entail? According to reports, Cignetti’s new deal is quite impressive. Here are some key highlights:
- The contract will pay him an annual salary of $8 million, which includes a $1 million retention bonus each year.
- This marks a nearly $3.5 million increase from his previous salary of $4.5 million.
- The contract extends through 2032, compared to his original deal that only went through 2029.
- With this new agreement, Cignetti becomes the highest-paid employee in Indiana school history.
- Additionally, the contract includes support for program infrastructure, such as staffing and salary pools for assistant coaches.
This contract not only reflects Indiana’s faith in Cignetti but also its ambition to elevate the football program to new heights.
Protecting the investment
With a new contract comes the inevitable question: what about the buyout? While the exact buyout figure for Cignetti’s contract has not been disclosed, it is expected to be substantial. If another school comes calling, they will need to pay off whatever remains on his deal, which is quite hefty at $8 million annually for the next eight years.
Indiana is clearly making a statement here. They want to ensure that Cignetti, who is likely to attract attention during coaching carousels, remains at the helm of the Hoosiers for the foreseeable future. It’s a strategic move to protect their investment in a coach who has already proven his worth.
Comparing salaries in college football
While Cignetti’s new deal is impressive, it places him among the higher-paid coaches in the Big Ten rather than at the very top of the national landscape. His salary of $8 million makes him one of the top 20 highest-paid coaches in the country, but he still trails behind some of the giants in the sport.
For context, here’s how his salary compares to some of the most notable head coaches in college football:
- Georgia’s Kirby Smart: $13.28 million
- Clemson’s Dabo Swinney: $11.13 million
- Texas’ Steve Sarkisian: $10.03 million
- USC’s Lincoln Riley: $10.04 million
- Ohio State’s Ryan Day: $10.02 million
- Florida State’s Mike Norvell: $10.00 million
- Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer: $10.00 million
- LSU’s Brian Kelly: $9.98 million
- Kentucky’s Mark Stoops: $9.01 million
- Ole Miss’ Lane Kiffin: $9.00 million
- Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz: $9 million
- Tennessee’s Josh Heupel: $9 million
- Penn State’s James Franklin: $8.5 million
- Oregon’s Dan Lanning: $8.2 million
- Oklahoma’s Brent Venables: $8.15 million
- Indiana’s Curt Cignetti: $8 million
This landscape highlights the competitive nature of college football coaching salaries, and Indiana’s investment in Cignetti signals their intent to compete at a higher level.
What this means for Indiana football
Indiana’s athletic director, Scott Dolson, expressed his confidence in Cignetti, stating, “After first meeting Coach Cignetti, we were very confident that he was the perfect fit for what we were trying to build with our football program.” This sentiment reflects the broader excitement surrounding the Hoosiers’ program, as fans have embraced the direction Cignetti is taking the team.
The Hoosiers are gearing up for their biggest test yet, facing No. 2 Ohio State next Saturday. With ESPN’s FPI giving the Buckeyes a 73.1% chance to win, Indiana will need all the momentum they can get.
Cignetti’s new deal may not guarantee that he will remain in Bloomington forever, especially given the lucrative offers other schools might present. However, it sends a clear message: Indiana is committed to building a winning program and is ready to invest in its future. The excitement is building, and the Hoosiers are ready to make their mark on the college football landscape.
