Bold. Brash. Entertaining. IU football’s Curt Cignetti makes his Big Ten Media Days debut.
The air crackled with anticipation as Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti took the stage at Lucas Oil Stadium, the heart of Big Ten Media Days. Sandwiched between powerhouse programs like Oregon and Michigan, Cignetti, a seasoned veteran with a winning pedigree, was ready to make his mark. He wasn’t going to blend into the background; he was ready to command attention, and he did just that.
Cignetti, along with his handpicked representatives – linebacker Aiden Fisher, running back Justice Ellison, and offensive lineman Mike Katic – were the final act of the three-day event. And from the moment he stepped onto the stage, Cignetti exuded confidence, his words carrying a weight that resonated with the crowd. He wasn’t afraid to boast about his impressive resume, a testament to his decades of experience in the coaching world. He even took a moment to remind the media of the last time he was predicted to finish second to last in the conference standings, a subtle jab at the naysayers who doubted his abilities.
His message was clear: he came to Indiana to challenge the status quo, to push boundaries, and to instill a winning culture. He spoke about his guiding principle of not having self-imposed limitations in life, a philosophy that he intended to infuse into his team. His bold and brash demeanor, coupled with his entertaining delivery, quickly captivated the audience. He was a breath of fresh air, a stark contrast to the usual diplomatic responses often heard at these events.
“I’ve kind of had to speak a big game taking over a job like this because we had to wake some people up and create some excitement, and after all, this is the entertainment business too,” Cignetti declared, a wide grin spreading across his face as he addressed the packed media room. With his signature self-assuredness and blunt style, he went on to address a range of topics, leaving no room for ambiguity.
Cignetti’s words were not just empty pronouncements. They reflected his deep understanding of the game, his unwavering belief in his team, and his unyielding determination to succeed. He knew that building a winning program required more than just talent; it demanded a mindset that embraced challenges and thrived under pressure. He was determined to instill that mindset in his players, to create a team that not only competed but dominated.
- Curt Cignetti made a bold, brash, and entertaining debut at Big Ten Media Days, commanding attention with his confidence and charisma.
- He emphasized challenging the status quo, pushing boundaries, and instilling a winning culture at Indiana football.
- Cignetti’s self-assuredness and blunt style set him apart from the usual diplomatic responses seen at such events, captivating the audience with his refreshing approach.
- His impressive coaching resume and determination to succeed reflected his deep understanding of the game and unwavering belief in his team.
- Cignetti’s guiding principle of not having self-imposed limitations in life was intended to infuse into his team, emphasizing the importance of mindset in building a winning program.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on the program’s outgoing transfers
One of the first things Cignetti addressed was the program’s outgoing transfers. He didn’t mince words. “I knew when we came in when we started interviewing the old players that we needed a lot of new faces and fortunately they did me a favor by leaving,” he stated bluntly. This wasn’t the first time he’d expressed this sentiment. He had spoken about getting rid of “dead wood” during a June event about NIL, but this was his national stage, and he wasn’t going to shy away from his beliefs.
His words were a clear indication of his vision for the program. He wanted players who were committed to the team, who were willing to put in the hard work and make sacrifices to achieve success. He understood that building a winning culture requires a certain level of dedication and commitment, and he wasn’t afraid to make tough decisions to ensure that his team was comprised of players who shared his vision.
The transfer portal has become an integral part of college football, allowing players to seek opportunities elsewhere if they feel their current program isn’t the right fit. Cignetti acknowledged this, but he also made it clear that he was not going to hesitate to move on from players who did not meet his standards. His message was simple: if you’re not all in, you’re out.
Cignetti’s approach was a bold one, but it was also a necessary one. He understood that he needed to shake things up, to bring in players who were hungry for success and who were willing to buy into his system. He was not afraid to make changes, even if it meant parting ways with players who had been with the program for a while. He was focused on building a team that could achieve greatness, and he was willing to do whatever it took to get there.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on watching film from team’s 2023 season
Cignetti didn’t shy away from his assessment of the previous season, which saw the Hoosiers struggle to find consistency. He was particularly critical of the team’s performance in close games, a recurring theme throughout his media session. “You are two scores down, how are you going to react? At JMU, three scores down, come back and win the game. I saw a number of teams on tape last year where they get two scores down and all of a sudden, holy cow, what’s going on,” he remarked, his voice laced with a hint of frustration.
It was another not-so-subtle dig at the previous regime, a clear indication that Cignetti was not content with the team’s past performance. He had a clear blueprint in mind, a vision that emphasized resilience and mental toughness, qualities that he believed were essential for success in high-pressure situations. He repeatedly stressed the importance of winning one-score games, drawing upon his experience at James Madison, where his teams had consistently thrived in these close contests.
Cignetti was not just pointing out the team’s weaknesses; he was setting the tone for the season ahead. He was building a culture of accountability, where players were expected to perform at their best in every situation. He understood that the mental game was just as important as the physical game, and he was determined to create a team that could handle the pressure and rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
James Madison had a remarkable record in one-possession games, a testament to Cignetti’s coaching philosophy. The numbers spoke for themselves: 5-1 in one-possession games last year and 7-2 over the last two seasons, a stark contrast to IU’s 2-4 record in the same category in 2023. The Hoosiers had suffered three heartbreaking losses in the final minutes or overtime, highlighting the need for greater mental strength and resilience.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on playing at Rose Bowl Stadium
Cignetti’s bold and brash personality was on full display when he discussed the upcoming season opener against UCLA at the Rose Bowl. “We’re just going to an old stadium to kick somebody’s ass. That’s not directed to UCLA, that’s the objective every week. Look, I know 1967 we were there and haven’t been there since, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. We’re not going out on a cruise or a tour,” he declared, his words laced with a hint of defiance.
It was a quote that would undoubtedly make its way onto the UCLA coaching staff’s bulletin board. While Cignetti tried to temper his statement, claiming it wasn’t directed at UCLA specifically, it was clear that he was not afraid to ruffle feathers. He was setting a clear expectation: Indiana was going to come to play, and they were not going to shy away from any challenge. This was not a team that would be content with just participating; they were coming to win.
He made it clear that he was not interested in dwelling on the past, on the history of the Rose Bowl or the program’s last visit to the iconic stadium. He was focused on the present and the future, on building a team that could compete at the highest level. His approach was refreshing, a stark contrast to the more diplomatic rhetoric often heard from coaches in similar situations.
This was Cignetti’s style: direct, honest, and unapologetic. He was not going to sugarcoat his message, and he was not going to shy away from any challenge. He was ready to take on the Big Ten, and he was not afraid to tell the world about it.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on calling out Michigan and Ohio State
The boldness of Cignetti’s approach was further evident in his remarks about Michigan and Ohio State, the two teams that have dominated the Big Ten in recent years. “I just ramped that up a little bit. Got 17,000 people in the basketball arena, right? I got to get them excited. The first part was easy, then why stop there? Why set the bar at 6-6? Our goal is to go after these two,” he explained, his confidence unwavering.
He was referring to his first appearance at Assembly Hall, where he had made headlines by calling out the program’s main rival and the two teams that had captured the last seven Big Ten titles. He acknowledged that he had gotten a little over-excited in the moment, but he stood by his message. This was not about setting a modest goal; this was about aiming for the highest peak, about challenging the established order.
He admitted that at 63 years old, “you lose your filter a bit.” But this wasn’t a case of careless talk; it was a reflection of his ambition, his unwavering belief that Indiana could compete at the highest level. He was not afraid to speak his mind, to challenge the status quo, and to set audacious goals for his team. He was determined to push the boundaries of what was possible, to create a program that could compete with the very best in the country.
Cignetti’s message was clear: Indiana was not going to be content with just being a competitor; they were aiming to be a contender. They were going to go after the giants of the Big Ten, and they were going to do it with a fearless and audacious mindset.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on his former rivalry with Coastal Carolina
Cignetti’s competitive spirit was evident in his remarks about his former rivalry with Coastal Carolina, a program that had risen to prominence during his time at James Madison. “We had a rival in the Sun Belt, they made Coastal Carolina our rival cause they were really catching fire and beating everybody, Jamey Chadwell and them, we beat their ass 47-7 and 54-10,” he said, a hint of pride in his voice.
Chadwell, who had orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at Coastal Carolina, going from 5-7 to 11-1 in his second year, had become a hot commodity in the coaching world. He had been a candidate for several job openings during his tenure, but his record against Cignetti was 0-1. James Madison had won the rematch in 2023 against Chadwell’s successor, Tim Beck.
Cignetti’s comments revealed his competitive fire, his unwavering desire to win, even in the face of formidable opponents. He was not one to shy away from a challenge, and he was not afraid to let his opponents know that he was coming for them. This competitive spirit was a defining characteristic of his coaching style, a driving force behind his success at every level of the game.
Cignetti’s comments about Coastal Carolina were not just about a past rivalry; they were also a reflection of his own ambition. He was not going to be satisfied with just building a winning program; he was going to build a program that could compete with the best of the best, that could leave its mark on the landscape of college football.
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti on setting expectations for the 2024 season
Cignetti wrapped up his media session by making it clear that he was not interested in setting modest goals. He was not coming to Indiana to just make a bowl game; he was coming to win championships. “When you compete you want to be the best. You can’t put self-imposed limitations. Oh, if we got to a bowl it’s a great year. Bullshit. That ain’t the goal. The goal is to be the best,” he declared, leaving no room for ambiguity.
His words were a refreshing change of pace from the more diplomatic pronouncements often heard from coaches at the beginning of a season. He was not afraid to set the bar high, to challenge his players to reach for greatness. He was not interested in settling for mediocrity; he was coming to Indiana to make a statement, to build a program that would be a force to be reckoned with in the Big Ten and beyond.
Cignetti’s approach was both bold and inspiring. He was not just a coach; he was a leader, someone who was willing to challenge his players to be their best, to push them to achieve their full potential. He was not afraid to dream big, and he was determined to make those dreams a reality.
Curt Cignetti came to Indiana with a clear vision, a burning desire to win, and a contagious confidence that had already begun to permeate the program. His bold and brash personality, coupled with his unwavering belief in his team, made him a captivating figure at Big Ten Media Days. He was a coach who was not afraid to speak his mind, to set ambitious goals, and to challenge the status quo. He was a coach who had the potential to make a real difference in the Hoosiers’ program, to lead them to new heights of success.
