Official announcement from the National Coach of the Year award committee

Indiana Signs Coach Curt Cignetti to $72 Million Extension After Historic 10-0 Start

Nov 16, 2024, 01:53 PM

Indiana University has secured a significant contract extension with head football coach Curt Cignetti after the team's historic 10-0 start, positioning them on the verge of making the 12-team College Football Playoff. The new agreement spans eight years through November 2032 and will pay Cignetti an average annual compensation of $8 million, along with an additional annual $1 million retention bonus, totaling $72 million. This investment makes Cignetti one of the highest-paid coaches in the Big Ten and the highest-paid employee in university history. The contract also includes a substantial increase in the salary pool for his staff, reflecting Indiana's serious commitment to football. The timing precedes a top-10 showdown at Ohio State next week. Cignetti, who left James Madison University and is considered a national Coach of the Year front-runner, has significantly elevated the program. Athletic Director Scott Dolson views this extension as a major win for the university.