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Hoosiers Sign an ACC Standout, Cignetti Rounds out His Staff

By Dante Pryor

Dec 1, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers new head football coach Curt Cignetti is introduced in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 1, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers new head football coach Curt Cignetti is introduced in the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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In our first edition of Indiana Hoosiers news, new head coach Curt Cignetti signs ACC standout and completes his coaching staff. 

New Indiana Hoosiers head football coach Curt Cignetti has hit the ground running since landing in Bloomington. Tom Allen’s departure caused an exodus of players from the program. Cignetti has prioritized keeping the high school class together and signing impact players in the transfer portal.

Cignetti and the Hoosiers signed their first player from the transfer portal. Former Wake Forest running back Justice Ellison announced his decision to join the Hoosiers on Sunday.

Ellison finished as Wake Forest’s second-leading rusher with 548 yards and one touchdown. The Ashburn, Virginia native had a better 2022, leading the Demon Deacons in rushing with 707 yards and six touchdowns. Ellison will help fill the void left by Trent Nowland, who committed to Minnesota today.

Cignetti has rounded out his coaching staff for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Per an article by Zach Osterman of the Indianapolis Star, Cignetti has completed signing his staff pending approval by the IU administration.

Cignett’s Offensive Staff: 

Mike Shanahan, OC/WRs

Tino Sunseri, QBs

John Miller, RBs

Grant Cain, STC/TEs

Bob Bostad, OL

Bostad is the only hold-over from Tom Allen’s staff. The rest of the offensive staff follows Cignetti from James Madison. Mike Shanahan and Tino Sunseri are former Pitt players coached by Cignetti’s brother Frank during his first stint as offensive coordinator of the Panthers.

Cignett’s Defensive Staff: 

Bryant Haines, DC/LBs

Pat Kuntz, DL/DTs

Buddha Williams, DL/DEs

Ola Adams, S

Rod Ojong, CBs

Haines has been with Cignetti since he’s been a head coach, working with him at Indiana University, Pennsylvania, Elon, and James Madison. The defensive staff, however, comprises fewer coaches from James Madison. Buddha Williams joins the staff from Colorado State. Ola Adams was an analyst at Penn State last season, while Rod Ojong joins the staff from Charlotte.

It is somewhat of a homecoming for defensive line coach Pat Kuntz, a Roncalli High School graduate in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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