Those who have paid close attention to college football over the years are not surprised by Curt Cignetti’s success as the Indiana Hoosiers’ head coach. Though, leading Indiana to an extremely impressive 25-2 record, which now includes a trip to the College Football Playoff’s Semifinals, has put Cignetti on the map, not just in college football, but possibly in the NFL too.
While the college football coaching cycle has quieted down, the NFL’s window is just beginning. Could Cignetti, a two-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, make the jump from Indiana to the pros?
Recently, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio speculated on whether the 64-year-old Cignetti could emerge as a viable candidate to lead an NFL team in 2026. It likely doesn’t hurt that Indiana’s 38-3 blowout win over Alabama in the Rose Bowl has opened up a clause that calls for a “fair market review” of Cignetti’s contract this offseason.
If Cignetti, who’s earning $11.6 million per season with the Hoosiers, doesn’t get a significant raise, it’s possible the NFL could come calling. With front offices always seeking the next up-and-coming coach who can turn their pro program around, Cignetti could very well generate some interviews this offseason.
Plus, with his contract up for review, if the Hoosiers don’t offer Cignetti a salary that places him in the top three of earnings among college football coaches, his $15 million buyout would disappear.
Though, it still seems unlikely for Cignetti to leave Indiana for the NFL. After all, he’s never coached above the college football level, and he’s only spent two seasons at Indiana. Prior to leading the Hoosiers, Cignetti has led small college football programs such as IUP, Elon, and James Madison.
Still, success is success, and Cignetti has enjoyed a lot of it in the past two seasons. The way he’s been able to turn around and maintain his programs could be just what an NFL team is looking for.
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