Indiana signs Curt Cignetti to new 8-year contract amid Penn State speculation

It appears Indiana’s head coach won’t be going anywhere, as IU announced on Thursday that Curt Cignetti has agreed to a new eight-year contract through 2033.

The deal raises his annual salary to an average of $11.6 million, which would be the third-highest nationally in 2025. The news comes days after Penn State fired James Franklin, a move that made Cignetti, a Pittsburgh native, an intriguing option there. He has the Hoosiers at No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, their highest ranking ever.

The $93 million deal is fully guaranteed unless Cignetti is fired for cause, a person briefed on the contract details told The Athletic. The contract calls for a $15 million buyout to Indiana if Cignetti were to leave for another school, up from $10 million in his previous deal, the person briefed on the details said.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be a Hoosier, and I plan on retiring as a Hoosier,” Cignetti said in a video. “The way this state has embraced us and our success in football has meant more to me than anything else. I just wanted to get on camera and let you know that Curt Cignetti is going to work daily to make Indiana the best they can be.”

A year ago, Cignetti received an eight-year contract through 2032 and a significant raise to $8.3 million amid a 10-0 start to the season. The school also dramatically increased the staff salary pool, allowing Cignetti to keep his coordinators. The Hoosiers went on to reach the College Football Playoff, setting a school record with 11 wins — at the losingest program in major college football.

Cignetti’s raise to an $11.6 million average would be behind only Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($13.3 million) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($12.6 million), both of whom have won a national championship.

“We are committed to investing in IU Football in such a way that we can compete at a championship level, and the No. 1 priority in doing that is ensuring that coach Cignetti is the leader of our program,” Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson said in a statement. “His accomplishments during the last season and a half have been nothing short of remarkable. As much as anyone, he believed in what was possible with our program, and he’s turned that belief into reality. This is a great day for IU Football and Indiana University.

“I look forward to working alongside Coach Cignetti for many years to come.”

The Hoosiers host Michigan State on Saturday.

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