Curt Cignetti Inks Third Contract Extension in Two Years After National Championship
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has signed his third contract extension since arriving in Bloomington. The new deal, finalized Thursday, pushes his average annual salary to $13.2 million through 2033, making him one of the highest-paid coaches in college football.
The contract adjustment was triggered after Indiana defeated Alabama in the Rose Bowl to reach the College Football Playoff semifinals. According to terms in Cignetti’s October extension, the school had 120 days following that game to renegotiate his deal and place him among the top three highest-paid coaches nationally.
A Coach Worth Every Dollar
Cignetti’s latest raise comes on the heels of leading the Hoosiers to their first national championship in program history. Indiana finished the season 16-0, capping off a perfect campaign with a win over Miami in the title game.
The 63-year-old coach has transformed Indiana football in record time. In just two seasons, he’s compiled a 27-2 record and delivered back-to-back College Football Playoff appearances. Before Cignetti’s arrival, the Hoosiers had never reached such heights.
His new salary puts him in elite company alongside Georgia’s Kirby Smart and LSU’s Lane Kiffin, who also earn more than $13 million annually. The deal represents a $1.6 million increase from his previous contract, which averaged $11.6 million per season.
Building for the Future
Indiana moved quickly to secure its future after winning the national title. Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, who led the Hoosiers to the championship, is projected to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Anticipating his departure, Cignetti and his staff signed former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover before the 2025 season officially ended.
The quarterback transition prompted Alberto Mendoza, Fernando’s younger brother and the team’s backup in 2025, to transfer to Georgia Tech.
Despite the roster changes ahead, Cignetti has repeatedly expressed his commitment to Indiana. When he signed his October extension, he stated his intention to retire as the Hoosiers’ coach.
Contract Timeline
Cignetti’s rapid succession of extensions reflects both his success and Indiana’s determination to keep him from jumping to a bigger program.
His first extension came during the 2024 season as Indiana made the College Football Playoff, losing only to Ohio State and Notre Dame. The second deal, signed in October 2025, arrived as the Hoosiers climbed to No. 3 in the AP Top 25 poll, their highest ranking ever at the time.
The October contract included specific language requiring a salary adjustment if Indiana advanced to the CFP semifinals. That provision came into play after the Rose Bowl victory over Alabama, setting in motion the negotiations that culminated in Thursday’s announcement.
A Message to the College Football World
Indiana’s willingness to make Cignetti one of the sport’s highest-paid coaches sends a clear signal. The program that was once an afterthought in the Big Ten is now committed to competing at the highest level.
The investment also shows the financial impact of success. Indiana’s athletic department has seen significant revenue increases from ticket sales, merchandise, and media attention following the team’s historic run.
For Cignetti, the new deal provides security and validation. He took a chance on a program with limited tradition and transformed it into a national power in less than two years.
