I can only interpret this post to mean that you agree that Cignetti is no coaching genius nor is he some talent evaluation genius.
Otherwise, we would've beaten NDSU when he was coaching JMU at the FCS level.
And of course, you have interpreted my comment incorrectly. You're entitled to your opinion of course but allow me to share some facts about recent Cignetti-coached teams that are easily verified on the Sun Belt, B1G, and IU web sites.
First, Cignetti's coaches. Stability of Coordinators and Assistant Coaches has been critical to Cignetti's success. The following coaches went with Cignetti to Indiana from JMU and are still with Cignetti at Indiana.
Mike Shanahan (OC): Has worked for Cignetti since 2016 (IU of Pennsylvania)
Bryant Haines (DC): Has worked for Cignetti since 2017 (Elon)
Grant Cain (ST/TE): Since 2019 (JMU)
Pat Kuntz (DT): Since 2022 (JMU)
John Miller (RB) Since 2021 (JMU)
Derek Owings (SC): Since 2020 (JMU)
Given Cignetti's head coaching success at every stop he's made since 2011 (IU of PA; Elon; JMU; and now IU), I think I can safely opine that Cignetti is a coaching genius and has a very sharp eye for coaching talent.
Next, his players. Here are the All-Conference selections of JMU players from Cignetti's last four teams (2022-2023 from the Sun Belt and those
(in bold text) who transferred with him in 2024-2025 to Indiana):
2022 (Sun Belt):
Todd Centeio (QB): Sun Belt POY; Newcomer of the Year; 1st Team
Kris Thornton (WR): 1st Team
Isaac Ukwu (DL): 1st Team
Nick Kidwell (OT): 2nd Team
Jamare Edward (DL) 2nd Team
James Carpenter (DL): 2nd Team
Percy Agyei-Obese (RB): 3rd Team
Taurus Jones (LB): 3rd Team
Drew Painter (TE): HM
Jailin Walker (LB): HM
Sam Kidd (DB): HM
Jordan Swann (DB): HM
2023 (Sun Belt):
Jordan McCloud (QB): Sun Belt Off POY; 1st Team
Jalen Green (DL): Sun Belt Def POY; 1 Team
Elijah Surrat (WR): 1st Team
Reggie Brown (WR): 1st Team
Zach Horton (TE): 1st Team
Jamree Kromah (DL): 1st Team
Tyler Stephens (LG): 2nd Team
James Carpenter (DL): 2nd Team
D’Angelo Ponds (DB): 2nd Team
Mikail Kamara (DL): 2nd Team
Ryan Hanson (P): 2nd Team
Aiden Fisher (LB): 3rd Team
Camden Wise (K): 3rd Team
Jailin Walker (LB): HM
Phoenix Sproles (WR): HM
Chauncey Logan (DB): HM
Francis Meehan (DB): HM
2024 (B1G): Only those JMU players who went to IU with Cignetti
Mikail Kamara (DL): 1st Team (M&C)
Aiden Fisher (LB): 1st Team (M&C); FWAA All American
D’Angelo Ponds (DB): 1st Team (M&C)
Elijah Surrat (WR): 3rd Team (M&C)
2025 (B1G): Only those JMU players who went to IU with Cignetti
Aiden Fisher (LB): 1st Team (M&C)
D’Angelo Ponds (DB): 1st Team (M&C)
Tyrique Tucker (DL): 1st Team (M&C)
Elijah Surrat (WR): 2nd Team (M&C)
Given the success of Cignetti's players from the standpoint of All Conference selection, I'd say that Cignetti has had a pretty good eye (dare I say "genius"?) for identifying and recruiting talented players. That coupled with his undeniable success as a head coach at the aforementioned schools, he and his staff have been able to place those talented players in positions to maximize their success and that of the team.
As I said above, you are entitled to your opinion, but I hope these facts shed some light on Cignetti's success and his ability to recruit and retain talented coaches and players. You may not think Cignetti is a "genius" or like his schtick (just as some on this board aren't fans of PJ's schtick), but the guy is a proven winner.
