Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Curt Cignetti

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Curt Cignetti made an impact.

Curt Cignetti is an American college football coach, currently the head coach at Indiana University. Previously, he held head coaching roles at James Madison University (JMU), Elon University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). Cignetti is a five-time conference coach of the year and the 2024 national coach of the year. Notably, he is the only college football coach to begin 10-0 with two different teams in consecutive seasons, achieving this with JMU in 2023 and Indiana University in 2024.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1967: Second Ever Win Against a Top-5 Team

After starting 5-0 and rising to #7 in the rankings, the Hoosiers defeated #3 Oregon by a score of 30–20 at Autzen Stadium. This marked Indiana's second ever win against a top-5 team, the first since they defeated Purdue in 1967.

1967: First 8-0 Start Since 1967

Cignetti guided Indiana to its first 8-0 start since 1967.

1976: Frank Cignetti Sr. Coached for the West Virginia Mountaineers

From 1976, Curt Cignetti's father, Frank Cignetti Sr., coached for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

1979: Played for West Virginia Mountaineers

In 1979, Curt Cignetti began playing quarterback for the West Virginia Mountaineers under head coach Frank Cignetti Sr.

1979: Frank Cignetti Sr. Coached for the West Virginia Mountaineers

Until 1979, Curt Cignetti's father, Frank Cignetti Sr., coached for the West Virginia Mountaineers.

1980: Frank Cignetti Sr. Served as Coach of Indiana University of Pennsylvania

From 1980, Curt Cignetti's father, Frank Sr., served as coach of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

1982: Continued Playing for West Virginia Mountaineers

In 1982, Curt Cignetti was still playing quarterback for the West Virginia Mountaineers under head coach Don Nehlen.

1983: Began Coaching Career at Pitt

In 1983, after graduating from West Virginia, Curt Cignetti began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Pitt under Foge Fazio.

2000: Joined NC State

In 2000, Curt Cignetti joined Chuck Amato's staff at North Carolina State University (NC State).

2002: NC State Achieved Record Season

In 2002, during Curt Cignetti's tenure, NC State achieved a school-record 11-win season.

2003: Coached Philip Rivers

In 2003, Curt Cignetti coached quarterback Philip Rivers, who earned ACC Player of the Year honors.

2005: Frank Cignetti Sr. Served as Coach of Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Until 2005, Curt Cignetti's father, Frank Sr., served as coach of Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

2006: Recruited Russell Wilson

In 2006, Curt Cignetti recruited future Super Bowl champion quarterback Russell Wilson to the Wolfpack at NC State.

2007: Joined Alabama Coaching Staff

In 2007, Curt Cignetti became part of Nick Saban's inaugural coaching staff at the University of Alabama, serving as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.

2008: Alabama's Regular Season

In 2008, during Curt Cignetti's time at Alabama, the Crimson Tide achieved a 12–0 regular season.

2009: Earned NCAA Playoff Berth

In 2009, The Phoenix earned their first NCAA Playoff berth.

2009: Alabama National Championship Season

In 2009, during Curt Cignetti's tenure, Alabama had a 14–0 national championship season.

2011: Became Head Coach at IUP

In 2011, Curt Cignetti became the head coach at IUP.

2013: IUP Team Record

In 2013, Cignetti’s team posted a 9–2 record.

2015: IUP NCAA Playoff Appearance

In 2015, Cignetti guided IUP to NCAA playoff appearances.

December 31, 2016: Accepted Head Coaching Position at Elon University

On December 31, 2016, Curt Cignetti accepted the head coaching position at Elon University.

December 14, 2018: Named Head Coach at James Madison

On December 14, 2018, Curt Cignetti was named head coach at James Madison.

2018: Elon Victory Over James Madison

In 2018, Curt Cignetti led Elon to a historic 27–24 victory over James Madison, snapping JMU's 22-game CAA winning streak and 19-game home winning streak.

2019: Started at James Madison

In 2019, Cignetti started at James Madison, beginning the Dukes’ transition from the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) to the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

2020: Season Affected by Pandemic

In the pandemic-affected 2020 season, which was shortened and delayed to spring 2021, JMU finished 7–1 and reached the FCS Semifinals.

2021: Move to Sun Belt Conference

In the 2021 season, the Dukes finished 12–2 and announced their move from the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) to the Sun Belt Conference.

2022: Transition to FBS Level

In 2022, in their first season at the FBS level, JMU made a seamless transition, finishing 8–3 and earning a share of the Sun Belt East Division title.

November 30, 2023: Named Head Football Coach at Indiana University

On November 30, 2023, Curt Cignetti was named head football coach at Indiana University, replacing Tom Allen. He drew media attention for his confident remark, "I win. Google me," when asked about his coaching record.

2023: Finished at James Madison

In 2023, Cignetti finished at James Madison, posting a 52–9 record from 2019 to 2023 and winning three conference titles.

2023: Unique Distinction with James Madison University

In 2023, Curt Cignetti achieved a unique distinction with James Madison University by starting 10-0, making him the only college football coach to have started 10-0 with two different teams in consecutive seasons.

2024: Indiana University's First College Football Playoff Berth

In 2024, Cignetti guided Indiana to its first-ever 11-win season, highlighted by a victory over defending national champions Michigan, earning the team national recognition, a top-five ranking, and a College Football Playoff berth. Indiana finished the season being ranked number ten in the country with an 11–2 record, their season ending with a loss to Notre Dame in the first round of the 2024–25 College Football Playoff.

2024: Named National Coach of the Year

In 2024, Curt Cignetti was named the national coach of the year. Also in 2024, Cignetti achieved a unique distinction with Indiana University by starting 10-0, making him the only college football coach to have started 10-0 with two different teams in consecutive seasons.

2024: First Season at Indiana

In 2024, his first season at Indiana, the Hoosiers achieved a school-record 11 wins, secured the program’s first College Football Playoff berth, and finished ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press poll.

October 16, 2025: Signed Contract Extension

On October 16, 2025, Curt Cignetti and Indiana signed an eight-year, $93 million contract extension.

2025: Saban comments on Cignetti

In 2025, Saban said Indiana's rapid turnaround reflected Cignetti's evaluation and culture work amid frequent roster changes, adding that Cignetti "has done a really good job as a head coach".