Indiana rewards coach Curt Cignetti with 8-year extension

After an impressive and unexpected 10-0 start to the season, Indiana has rewarded head football coach Curt Cignetti with an eight-year extension worth up to $9 million per season, ESPN reports.

Cignetti will earn an average of roughly $8 million per season with an an annual $1 million retention bonus.

“I am beyond appreciative for the tremendous commitment, confidence, and support from President Pam Whitten and Athletic Director Scott Dolson,” Cignetti said in a statement. “Manette [his wife] and I love Bloomington and are grateful for how the IU community has embraced us. I look forward to leading this outstanding program and doing my part to continue the momentum for Hoosier football.”

Indiana originally hired Curt Cignetti to a six-year, $27 million deal in December 2023. His opening press conference should have been the first hint that big things were on the horizon. His recruiting pitch was the second clue.

Cignetti has already made history. Indiana has won 10 games for the first time in school history and at No. 5, could be on their way to a College Football Playoff appearance.

“We were confident IU could become a winning program and we love what he’s building here,” Dolson said in a statement. “We love the student-athletes that he’s bringing here. We love how our fanbase has rallied around this team and made Memorial Stadium the place to be on Saturday afternoons. And now, we love the fact that he’s going to be doing all those things right here in Bloomington for a long, long time.”

In addition to Cignetti’s massive extension, ESPN reports that Indiana will also “significantly increase” the pool for his assistants and staff.