Curt Cignetti is ready to build his legacy at Indiana.
The 64-year-old Indiana football coach has signed an eight-year extension to continue to lead Hoosier football until he decides he's good and ready to stop. Cignetti's name has been batted around over the past year in association with any major job opening in college football, but he's happy in Bloomington.
Indiana and head coach Curt Cignetti have agreed to an eight-year contract extension, per the school.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) October 16, 2025
Will pay him $11.6 million annually. pic.twitter.com/BIxBYLEzPn
Cignetti came to Indiana in the 2024 season after a successful run at James Madison and immediately made Hoosier football matter. By the end of the season, Indiana had won 11 games, the first season with double-digit wins in the school's nearly 140 years of playing football, made the 12-team college football playoff bracket and finished with a top-10 ranking for the first time since 1967.
He has followed up that historic season by winning the first six games in 2025 and knocking off No. 3 Oregon on the road last Saturday. His overall record currently stands at 136-37 (36-6 in three-plus FBS seasons with JMU and Indiana).
Cignetti appeared on the Pat McAfee Show earlier today and talked about the growth he has seen around Indiana football and how he believes the program is equipped for success in the future.
BREAKING: SOURCE(S) are telling me that @CCignettiIU has signed a brand new deal with the @IUHoosiers
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 16, 2025
THE HOO HOO HOO HOOSIERS and the Paisan who brought “Ranked #3 In The Country” football to Bloomington, Indiana are letting the world know that IU Football is FOR REAL pic.twitter.com/LIL10rRg7d
"'We have the largest alumni base in America right now, over 800,000. I think we've built on our successes all the way around and all the things that are important to a program. The games are sold out. The fans are crazy and nutty. Giving has really increased, and we're getting most high-profile, high-powered donors into the program. Facilities are improving. We're in [revenue sharing] right now and NIL will be a key component in that as well. We're definitely moving in the right direction. That's obviously a lot of excitement, especially after the last game."Curt Cignetti on the Pat McAfee Show
Most recently, Cignetti's name has been mentioned for the Penn State opening after that program decided to fire James Franklin last week. He was also being pre-emptively mentioned for the Florida opening as the Gators are expected to fire Billy Napier soon.
How long is Curt Cignetti's new deal?
The eight-year extension carries Cignetti's contract through the 2033 season. He will be making $11.6 million annually through the deal. Indiana president Pamela Whitten and athletic director Scott Dolson both released statements after the deal was complete, signaling their full commitment to Indiana football.
"As much as anyone, he believed in what was possible with our program, and he’s turned that belief into reality," Dolson said. "This is a great day for IU football and Indiana University. I look forward to working alongside Coach Cignetti for many years to come."
Cignetti and Indiana Football social media also released a video after he signed his contract.
A Hoosier through & through.
— Indiana Football (@IndianaFootball) October 16, 2025
Our coach, @CCignettiIU. 🎥 pic.twitter.com/DFo7n6Ke1w