Hope Springs Eternal
Something is abuzz in Bloomington, Indiana, around the football program. It's hope. While everyone who follows IU Football loved and respected former head coach Tom Allen, he didn't win enough games to remain head coach. Enter former James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti. He brought the Dukes from the FCS to FBS.
They had one of the smoothest transitions of all time from I-AA to I-A. The Dukes went into the Sun Belt dominating year one. What makes Cignetti's arrival in Bloomington so intriguing is his ability to win everywhere he's coached. Moreover, Cignetti has won in places that weren't winners before he got there.
He elevated James Madison from a good CAA program into a I-AA powerhouse, winning a National Championship in 2016. The hope for many Indiana fans is that he can do for Indiana University Bloomington what he did for Indiana University Pennsylvania.
Bloomington has never had sustained success in football, and there is something to the fact that he's built winners everywhere.
Cignetti has come in and rebuilt the roster through the portal, and signed a solid high school class. He isn't waiting around either. He's standing on business, touting his reputation.
Indiana Coach Curt Cignetti: I win. Google me.
— Jacob Davis (@JacobScottDavis) December 23, 2023
Nick Saban vibes. pic.twitter.com/FyOjgRPIW8
Will he win in Bloomington? Time will tell. As we head into Spring Practice, here are three storylines watch.