Curt Cignetti

[Cobra]

Cignetti seems a little rough around the edges, but you can’t argue with the results he’s getting.
This is what I hoped we were getting when PJ was hired, and it pains me to no end that Indiana has blown past us so fast. Friggen Indiana!!!
Their 2020 COVID campaign was a fluke, but they’re real contenders now and I wish the Gophers were too.
What he’s proved is that an astounding turnaround into the highest levels can be done within 1-2 seasons in the NIL era.
I tip my hat to you Curt, you got it going on.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

I think just the math works out that an unlikely event such as a coach who takes a middle of the road school to the playoffs ... is more likely to occur elsewhere than at the one school you're watching.

There's just lots of those middle of the road schools / chances.

 

[Panthadad2]

Grok tells me Indiana's NIL fundraising was $13.6 million last year which was on par with Penn State. That buys you some nice pieces.

Still, just compare Cignetti with Franklin, or even Dan Lanning or Steve Sarkisian, who don't win big games even with the biggest of resources.

 

[STPGopher]

Cignetti seems a little rough around the edges, but you can’t argue with the results he’s getting.
This is what I hoped we were getting when PJ was hired, and it pains me to no end that Indiana has blown past us so fast. Friggen Indiana!!!
Their 2020 COVID campaign was a fluke, but they’re real contenders now and I wish the Gophers were too.
What he’s proved is that an astounding turnaround into the highest levels can be done within 1-2 seasons in the NIL era.
I tip my hat to you Curt, you got it going on.

Interesting how he was able to fly under the radar doing what Deion Sanders did with little to no pushback. Coach Sanders proved it could work, Cignetti tailored it to work for his situation in Indiana.

 

[Schnauzer]

Amazing job of putting a championship-quality team together in ONE SEASON at a traditional doormat like INDIANA! And then to turn around and arguably be BETTER in season two? I would think Cignetti would be on any coaching hire radar. That is the crappy part of this. Even as Indiana as reached new heights, now their fans get to be reminded every day that they are not a blue blood and how soon will this school or that school will hire their successful coach away from them.

It is such a special thing when a transformational coach decides to stick around and uplift an entire program. Of all places to actually get a long term solution with a great coach staying around to lift the whole program, it had to be those Badgers.

I too was hoping Fleck would be our guy (maybe he still can be that). Young and brash and some very successful early seasons with Western Michigan and Minnesota. But, we seem to have settled into a long term pattern of 5-7 to 8-4 now. 2019 is fading into the rear view mirror very quickly. When you look at that season with the context that has been provided since, it seems like pure luck had its say in being able to win all those early season non conference games that felt like sure defeats at the time. CrAB's 4th down corner TD catch vs Fresno State. The final come from behind drive vs Georgia Southern converting 3rd and 4th and long deep in Gopher territory. Even the SD State game was a bit dicey at the end.

While a couple of the Gopher 8-4/7-5 seasons could have easily have been 9-3 or 10-2, given context it feels like 2019 NOT being 8-4 feels more like the outlier.

 

[bleedsmaroonandgold]

More impressive that he is looking so good with the weird target on his back that comes with success at any school who the talking heads dont think belong at the beautiful people ball. For so long it was "they are paper tigers who got lucky with a weak schedule" (ignoring that even very good teams often have one stinker against a mediocre team, it would be tough for anyone except OSU to run the table against even the bottom 8 teams in the big ten without one hiccup). Then, when that argument crumbles after beating a top 5 opponent, the narrative immediately turns to "must be nice you have all of the built in advantages he is getting at *checks notes* indiana". And, now that they do have the big win, they will be playing the rest of the season with folks waiting for one slip up to say "see, I told you they were overated" (even though if a traditional power had such a slip up, the narrative would be "any given Saturday, its hard to win week in and week out, etc"

 

[Sparlimb]

I looked at their schedule last night and it certainly looks like they should win out in the regular season. Can they stay within 20 of Ohio St? Not sure anyone can. Can they win a playoff game? To be seen. But a great two year run for Indiana and their fan base. I have no reason to think it will continue but no reason to think it won't either.

 

[TurfGopher]

its always impressive to see someone who is so confident, arrogant even, deliver against the odds. Perhaps its just well managed NIL at work but he appears to be the next Saban.

 

[Ope3]

Grok tells me Indiana's NIL fundraising was $13.6 million last year which was on par with Penn State. That buys you some nice pieces.

Still, just compare Cignetti with Franklin, or even Dan Lanning or Steve Sarkisian, who don't win big games even with the biggest of resources.

Actually Cignetti was comparing similar to Franklin in that last season Indiana did not when either of their games against ranked opponents (Ohio St & Notre Dame).

This year they have 2, Illinois & Oregon, though the Illini are no longer currently ranked.

 

[mngg11]

I looked at their schedule last night and it certainly looks like they should win out in the regular season. Can they stay within 20 of Ohio St? Not sure anyone can. Can they win a playoff game? To be seen. But a great two year run for Indiana and their fan base. I have no reason to think it will continue but no reason to think it won't either.

Based on the NIL environment alone, you have to figure this is a two year lightning in a bottle moment (Cignetti still has a handful of JMU dudes on his defense). Time will tell if he's able to maintain results with mercs, er, portal transfers coming to IU, buying in, and performing to his standard with discipline. I'm still not sold on wholesale buying of players being a feasible formula for winning unless you're a program with pre-established, long term success.

 

[GoldenMAV30266]

Cignetti seems a little rough around the edges, but you can’t argue with the results he’s getting.
This is what I hoped we were getting when PJ was hired, and it pains me to no end that Indiana has blown past us so fast. Friggen Indiana!!!
Their 2020 COVID campaign was a fluke, but they’re real contenders now and I wish the Gophers were too.
What he’s proved is that an astounding turnaround into the highest levels can be done within 1-2 seasons in the NIL era.
I tip my hat to you Curt, you got it going on.

This isnt to defend PJ, but a new coach coming from a winning program has an easier time winning right away today. He brought something like 13 transfers over from JMU that was 11-2 the year before. That helped him win right away, and kids like to transfer to winning programs. That plus NIL money is a good recipe to continue winning.

 

[MNVCGUY]

its always impressive to see someone who is so confident, arrogant even, deliver against the odds. Perhaps its just well managed NIL at work but he appears to be the next Saban.

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment is being so off putting that he has made Indiana into a villain of sorts when they should be a feel good story of a downtrodden program finding success.

Lot of season left but based on Indiana and Ohio State's remaining schedules it will be pretty shocking if it is not them squaring off for the conference title.

 

[GoldenMAV30266]

Based on the NIL environment alone, you have to figure this is a two year lightning in a bottle moment (Cignetti still has a handful of JMU dudes on his defense). Time will tell if he's able to maintain results with mercs, er, portal transfers coming to IU, buying in, and performing to his standard with discipline. I'm still not sold on wholesale buying of players being a feasible formula for winning unless you're a program with pre-established, long term success

I'd think hes gonna continue to have top 25 transfer classes if he continues to win. If he starts putting a bunch of kids in the NFL it'll be even easier for him.

 

[Governor Sibley]

Is it true that Indiana has as much NIL money as Penn State?

 

[MaxyJR1]

I'd think hes gonna continue to have top 25 transfer classes if he continues to win. If he starts putting a bunch of kids in the NFL it'll be even easier for him.

Agree and Indiana could be a sleeping giant in the world of NIL. Indiana has become more of a football state since the success that Manning had with the Colts. He might be wise to stay put and build his brand.

College needs to consider getting rails on these buyouts and coach firings.

 

[Panthadad2]

Has anybody questioned whether Oregon is actually that good? They barely beat Penn State (OT) which has turned out to be pretenders, then the Ducks look bad against Indiana.

 

[GopherGuy82]

They might be buying players now but he brought a bunch of guys from James Madison and won big. Not that those players can't succeed in the Big Ten but it is a step up for sure. When people mention the 13 from JMU it comes off like it was 13 all conference players in the SEC. Whatever he is doing he is getting it done.

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Is it true that Indiana has as much NIL money as Penn State?

I’ve yet to find reliable data on NIL numbers.

 

[Ope3]

Agree and Indiana could be a sleeping giant in the world of NIL. Indiana has become more of a football state since the success that Manning had with the Colts. He might be wise to stay put and build his brand.

College needs to consider getting rails on these buyouts and coach firings.

Rails on the buyouts feels like restraint of trade.

It could eat up a ton of Penn St's PE dough, although some donor's are probably kicking in big time.

 

[cemba99]

Has anybody questioned whether Oregon is actually that good? They barely beat Penn State (OT) which has turned out to be pretenders, then the Ducks look bad against Indiana.

Good point - their non-conference "P4 game" was against Oklahoma State (who is, by far, the worst team in P4). The Nov games against Iowa in Iowa City and home against USC may give a better indication of where they are at

 

[GopherTheJugular]

Agree and Indiana could be a sleeping giant in the world of NIL. Indiana has become more of a football state since the success that Manning had with the Colts. He might be wise to stay put and build his brand.

Like Norvell should have. He could have done something and had Memphis being a G5 borderline playoff team every year. Maybe he gets something done at FSU this year, but it would have been cool to see him stay and develop Memphis.

 

[USAF]

The man can coach.

That's the bottom line. It's not the ridiculous "built in advantages at Indiana (LOL)" line used here by some.

He's able to recognize and secure talent, and then have his staff help him coach that talent into success.

The need for some here to pooh-pooh that in order to feel better about our own team is pathetic.

 

[Gilthorp57]

Agree and Indiana could be a sleeping giant in the world of NIL. Indiana has become more of a football state since the success that Manning had with the Colts. He might be wise to stay put and build his brand.

College needs to consider getting rails on these buyouts and coach firings.

Indiana is secretly kicking out more and more D-1 recruits, definitely a result of the Manning Effect. Following Indiana High School football, it is a much higher caliber product on the field than the days when I was in high school.

 

[MaxyJR1]

The man can coach.

That's the bottom line. It's not the ridiculous "built in advantages at Indiana (LOL)" line used here by some.

He's able to recognize and secure talent, and then have his staff help him coach that talent into success.

The need for some here to pooh-pooh that in order to feel better about our own team is pathetic.

He's an outstanding coach and knows how to blend talent every year through 2 seasons. Gotta think he will be able to do it anywhere. Will be interesting to see how long he wants to keep doing it. His energy is 20 years younger than his age. PSU would be foolish to take Rhule over him if they have the option.

 

[gopherbadgerman]

Cignetti seems a little rough around the edges, but you can’t argue with the results he’s getting.
This is what I hoped we were getting when PJ was hired, and it pains me to no end that Indiana has blown past us so fast. Friggen Indiana!!!
Their 2020 COVID campaign was a fluke, but they’re real contenders now and I wish the Gophers were too.
What he’s proved is that an astounding turnaround into the highest levels can be done within 1-2 seasons in the NIL era.
I tip my hat to you Curt, you got it going on.

He’s been excellent no doubt. Probably and maybe rightfully so there was some speculation before the season he would be a one year lightning in a bottle coach, but he’s proven that wrong. He’s won big at every stop he’s been at.

 

[Gilthorp57]

The man can coach.

That's the bottom line. It's not the ridiculous "built in advantages at Indiana (LOL)" line used here by some.

He's able to recognize and secure talent, and then have his staff help him coach that talent into success.

The need for some here to pooh-pooh that in order to feel better about our own team is pathetic.

He can definitely coach and has mastered its nuances, but what I think people are trying to say, I could be wrong, but its nice to have a little coin to protect your investment.

At the end of the day, we'll always have life coaching.

 

[stocker08]

I too was hoping Fleck would be our guy (maybe he still can be that). Young and brash and some very successful early seasons with Western Michigan and Minnesota. But, we seem to have settled into a long term pattern of 5-7 to 8-4 now. 2019 is fading into the rear view mirror very quickly. When you look at that season with the context that has been provided since, it seems like pure luck had its say in being able to win all those early season non conference games that felt like sure defeats at the time. CrAB's 4th down corner TD catch vs Fresno State. The final come from behind drive vs Georgia Southern converting 3rd and 4th and long deep in Gopher territory. Even the SD State game was a bit dicey at the end.

While a couple of the Gopher 8-4/7-5 seasons could have easily have been 9-3 or 10-2, given context it feels like 2019 NOT being 8-4 feels more like the outlier.

One of the things that has soured me (slightly) on Fleck over the years. These early non-conference games have repeatedly hurt us due to lack of preparation and/or wildly conservative game plans. We can't afford to drop games against beatable teams if this program is ever going to take the next step to being a fringe top-25 program on a yearly basis. We needed some magic in order to put together the best season in many of our lifetimes.....and every year it seems like that was the exception to the rule.

 

[MNVCGUY]

Has anybody questioned whether Oregon is actually that good? They barely beat Penn State (OT) which has turned out to be pretenders, then the Ducks look bad against Indiana.

I think it is fair to wonder if Oregon was actually top 10 good at this point but I think it is still safe to assume they have one of the best teams in the Big Ten and are one of the better teams in the country.

But as has been discussed in a few threads this is another case where the pre-season rankings can skew things. Oregon's road win over then #3 Penn State in double OT looks far less impressive now then it did at the time.

 

[LeftofThaDial]

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment is being so off putting that he has made Indiana into a villain of sorts when they should be a feel good story of a downtrodden program finding success.

Lot of season left but based on Indiana and Ohio State's remaining schedules it will be pretty shocking if it is not them squaring off for the conference title.

I don’t see you accusing all these posters of being a secret Indiana fan as you did to me for saying these same things in on Saturday. I also don’t see anyone thinking Cignetti is a villain.

 

[MNVCGUY]

I don’t see you accusing all these posters of being a secret Indiana fan as you did to me for saying these same things in on Saturday. I also don’t see anyone thinking Cignetti is a villain.

I'm not saying that about any of them because they don't seem nearly as obsessed with Cignetti as you do.

Cignetti comes across as an ahole, I don't think there is anything controversial in saying that. There are a lot of head coaches out there that are jerks and as long as they are winning people are willing to overlook it. What he is doing at Indiana is impressive and this year has proven that last year was more then just a pillow soft schedule. They will almost certainly get a second crack at the CFP and maybe this year they may even be able to compete.