Curt Cignetti Leads Indiana Hoosiers To Historic National Title

When Curt Cignetti took the reins as head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, few could have predicted the seismic shift he’d trigger in the landscape of college football. In just two short years, Cignetti—previously known for his success at James Madison University—has turned Indiana from a perennial underdog into a national powerhouse. Monday night’s 27-21 victory over the Miami Hurricanes in the National Championship Game capped off a remarkable run that’s left critics, rivals, and even some longtime fans shaking their heads in disbelief.

Back in October 2025, Indiana’s administration made headlines by handing Cignetti a major contract extension, locking him in through 2033. The move raised eyebrows, most notably those of ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum, who didn’t mince words when asked about the decision on Stephen A. Smith’s show. “They did not,” Finebaum responded when questioned whether Indiana made the right call. “And before anyone jumps out of their chair, allow me to explain. I think everyone on this panel agrees that he’s done a phenomenal job. But Stephen A., this is how programs get in trouble. They just gave him an extension and a contract raise at the end of last season. We are barely at the midway point, let it play out before you completely send the Brinks truck up.”

Well, if there’s one thing college football loves, it’s a coach proving the doubters wrong. And prove them wrong Cignetti did. Not only did he guide the Hoosiers to their first-ever College Football Playoff appearance in his debut season, but he followed that up by capturing the school’s maiden national title in his second year. The win over Miami was a nail-biter, with Indiana’s defense holding strong in the closing minutes to preserve a six-point lead. The victory etched Cignetti’s name in Hoosier lore and forced Finebaum to publicly eat his words. “Let me assure you, nobody was more incorrect in understanding that process than me. Almost everything I said throughout the season about him and about Indiana was wrong, and it was an epic failure on my part,” Finebaum admitted on January 22, 2026. “There was no question Indiana was the best team, and yes, the Big Ten is the best conference in the country. We congratulate coach Cignetti, Indiana and the Big Ten for an extraordinary run.”

That extraordinary run now stands at a staggering 27-2 record over Cignetti’s first two seasons. While the Hoosiers’ meteoric rise has sent shockwaves through the Big Ten—long dominated by the likes of Ohio State, Michigan, and, more recently, Oregon—Cignetti isn’t resting on his laurels. If anything, he’s doubling down. Speaking to ESPN after clinching the title, the 64-year-old coach declared, “People can cling to an old way of thinking, categorizing teams as this or that or conferences as this or that, or they can adjust to the new world, the shift in the power dynamic in college football today.” He’s not shy about the challenge ahead, either. “I like what I do, I like winning. I don’t plan on changing very much.”

But can Indiana keep this momentum rolling? Skeptics abound, pointing to the inevitable departure of star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who’s widely projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Mendoza, a former two-star recruit turned national champion, has become the poster child for Cignetti’s knack for unearthing and developing talent. Losing him will sting, no doubt. Yet, Cignetti has already been busy in the transfer portal, landing quarterback Josh Hoover and securing a commitment from elite wide receiver Nick Marsh. The Hoosiers’ roster is brimming with both returning talent and fresh faces eager to keep the winning tradition alive.

And the expectations? They’ve never been higher. Early projections have Indiana opening the 2026 season ranked No. 1 in the country—a spot that would have seemed laughable just a few seasons ago. For Cignetti, the newfound attention brings with it a flood of commercial and endorsement opportunities. But don’t expect to see him pitching products anytime soon. “Cignetti will get offers to do commercials, endorsements, speaking engagements and more following his national title. He’s planning to say no to all of them,” reported ESPN. His focus remains firmly on the field: “He likes to win and that’s all he’s focused on.”

Cignetti’s competitive fire occasionally flares in unexpected ways. Earlier this month, it came to light that the Indiana head coach has never seen the classic football film Rudy—and doesn’t plan to. His reason? “He hates Notre Dame.” That revelation came during a conversation with Angelo Pizzo, the screenwriter behind Rudy and Hoosiers. Yet, despite his playful jab at the Fighting Irish, Cignetti’s respect for their program is clear. In the final 2025 Coaches Poll, Cignetti ranked Notre Dame seventh—higher than any other coach, including Notre Dame’s own Marcus Freeman, who slotted his team ninth. The gesture didn’t go unnoticed, especially with Indiana’s championship win adding pressure to a Notre Dame program still searching for its next national title.

Indiana’s ascendance has also sparked conversation about the broader implications for the sport. Bloomington, Indiana, sits just about 200 miles south of South Bend, home of Notre Dame. The Hoosiers’ title run has turned up the heat on their northern neighbors, fueling debate among fans and pundits alike. “When Indiana wins it all and does so after being the laughing stock of college football for decades, all that does is put more pressure on Notre Dame to end their streak of not bringing home a national championship,” wrote Nick Shepkowski, managing editor for Notre Dame On SI. The message is clear: if Indiana can do it, why not Notre Dame?

For now, Hoosier fans are relishing their moment in the sun. Commemorative prints of Fernando Mendoza and Indiana gracing the Sports Illustrated cover are flying off shelves—a testament to how much this title means to a program and its supporters who waited decades for a taste of glory. While doubters remain, and the Big Ten’s traditional powers are sure to reload for next season, Curt Cignetti’s Indiana has proven it belongs in the national conversation.

As the dust settles, one thing’s certain: with Cignetti at the helm and a renewed sense of belief in Bloomington, the Hoosiers aren’t just a feel-good story—they’re a force to be reckoned with. And as the 2026 season approaches, all eyes will be on Indiana to see if this new era of college football dominance is here to stay.