Curt Cignetti

[DJ Fieri]

But, with NIL and the portal you would be a fool to doubt Cig eventually repeating last season's NC.

 

[Da_Bull]

Yeah, I don't get the people knocking Cig. He's won everywhere. He's a great developer of talent. Mendoza was good at Cal, but certainly not this. Cooper was a 3 star out of HS. Ponds, Black and Surratt came from JMU. Coogan was a spot starter at ND when there were injuries.

He's just a beast of a coach.

Coogan had lost his starting spot to a younger guy correct? Which is amazing since the entire Oline credited him to elevating the entire Oline play.

 

[Da_Bull]

But, with NIL and the portal you would be a fool to doubt Cig eventually repeating last season's NC.

It's going to be interesting in how he moves forward. He was able to instill that David mentality of overlooked guys and getting them to work their ass off. The last two will likely be his least talented teams while he's here. Seeing how he manages that will be interesting. The defense will be there this year, the Oline is mostly back and Hoover actually has a bigger arm and more weapons to throw to, just have to see how they put it together.

 

[ericd7633]

Coogan had lost his starting spot to a younger guy correct? Which is amazing since the entire Oline credited him to elevating the entire Oline play.

Yes, that's correct. Started in 2023, lost his starting job in 2024, but still played that year due to injury, but wasn't in line to start for 2025. It was a bummer he transferred , but totally understandable. He was (and is) still really liked by the ND fan base.

 

[DJ Fieri]

It's going to be interesting in how he moves forward. He was able to instill that David mentality of overlooked guys and getting them to work their ass off. The last two will likely be his least talented teams while he's here. Seeing how he manages that will be interesting. The defense will be there this year, the Oline is mostly back and Hoover actually has a bigger arm and more weapons to throw to, just have to see how they put it together.

Exactly.

They need a QB and some skill position guys. Not sure what kind of depth they had or what they did in recruiting to address the losses they had

 

[Used 2 B Hu]

NIL and the portal simply fast tracked Cignetti's progression at Indiana, but Cignetti gets all the credit. It gave him the ability to, as he's said, immediately flip the culture. No more waiting for previous coaches players to exit the program. He brought in a huge core of his guys from JMU and with the portal and his eye for not only overlooked talent but the right mindset in a player. Not giving the guy his credit is absolutely insane.

Welcome new dood

 

[Digger]

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[dtgold88]

NIL and the portal simply fast tracked Cignetti's progression at Indiana, but Cignetti gets all the credit. It gave him the ability to, as he's said, immediately flip the culture. No more waiting for previous coaches players to exit the program. He brought in a huge core of his guys from JMU and with the portal and his eye for not only overlooked talent but the right mindset in a player. Not giving the guy his credit is absolutely insane.

also don't get why some wont give him his due. And I hope he stays where he is and doesn't use IU as a stepping stone.

 

[Digger]

 

[Da_Bull]

also don't get why some wont give him his due. And I hope he stays where he is and doesn't use IU as a stepping stone.

I think winning a title ended that along with the large jump in pay. It's no longer those few teams that make it easier to win a title and succeed. He's started his legacy already, no reason to leave anymore.

 

[dtgold88]

I think winning a title ended that along with the large jump in pay. It's no longer those few teams that make it easier to win a title and succeed. He's started his legacy already, no reason to leave anymore.

Certainly seems more likely he'd stay.....though I have no idea where he has coached in past, where he went to school, where he is from or family from that might attract him.

 

[ericd7633]

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As an ND fan, I'm not sure I'd even have Denbrock that high.

 

[Da_Bull]

Certainly seems more likely he'd stay.....though I have no idea where he has coached in past, where he went to school, where he is from or family from that might attract him.

From Pittsburgh grew up in Morgantown when his dad coached wv. Coached at Pitt, Nc state, Alabama. That's the jist of it.

 

[Hitman Hart]

He was the head coach at Elon for a few years. The Elon people I know hate him - not b/c he left (it's Elon) but he was apparently a dick to everyone when he was there. not shocking because most of the top level coaches are dickheads. it's seemingly a prerequisite to coach at a high level.

 

[Middawg]

There's a 30% to 40% chance Indiana is a better team in '26 than their National Championship 16-0 National Championship team.

Like every team, there's potential weaknesses, but they can all be coached up and out to where it's not detrimental.


If Cignetti and IU go 16-0 again in '26, I will be starting a GoFundMe to build a 100 foot Cignetti statue holding up the National Championship Trophy across the street and facing the SEC HQ in Birmingham.

 

[dtgold88]

From Pittsburgh grew up in Morgantown when his dad coached wv. Coached at Pitt, Nc state, Alabama. That's the jist of it.

seems like among those Bama might be the only concern if they moved on from Deboer.

 

[Calhoun]

They may not repeat last season's success but if you know anything about Indiana football....9-3 isn't bad at all by IU standards.

Until two years ago, IU was my school of choice for decades to see teams I'd never seen play in person. Have seen over half the B10 play there, as well a several non-conf teams, was always easy to get tickets and parked in a church parking lot across the street from the stadium for $10 (donation). Easy 2.5 hour drive. Then they started winning.

Last year, replaced them with Purdue. A slightly longer drive, easy tickets, but less preferable parking. Will go see both Wash and Wisc play at Purdue in Oct and Nov, respectively. That will wrap up the B10 for me. May even go see them play WF in Sept.

I've seen 98 (current) FBS schools in person, will hopefully make this 105 this season. Is there a thread here where members can post games they will be attending in case anyone wants to meet up with others from the forum?

 

[Digger]

nm

 

[cooljack]

From Pittsburgh grew up in Morgantown when his dad coached wv. Coached at Pitt, Nc state, Alabama. That's the jist of it.

Off topic question for you.

Alberto Mendoza. Is he any good, and if so, how good is he? He's in Atlanta now at GT.

 

[DJ Fieri]

Until two years ago, IU was my school of choice for decades to see teams I'd never seen play in person. Have seen over half the B10 play there, as well a several non-conf teams, was always easy to get tickets and parked in a church parking lot across the street from the stadium for $10 (donation). Easy 2.5 hour drive. Then they started winning.

Last year, replaced them with Purdue. A slightly longer drive, easy tickets, but less preferable parking. Will go see both Wash and Wisc play at Purdue in Oct and Nov, respectively. That will wrap up the B10 for me. May even go see them play WF in Sept.

I've seen 98 (current) FBS schools in person, will hopefully make this 105 this season. Is there a thread here where members can post games they will be attending in case anyone wants to meet up with others from the forum?

I doubt there is but feel free to start one.