In a season that will go down in college football lore, the Indiana Hoosiers have done the unthinkable – earning a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana has shocked the nation, shattering school records and upending the Big Ten hierarchy en route to a date with powerhouse Notre Dame in the playoff opener.
A Coach With a Golden Touch
When Cignetti took the reins in Bloomington, few could have predicted the magic that was about to unfold. The son of a Hall of Fame coach, Cignetti brought with him a track record of success at every level, from Alabama to FCS stalwart James Madison.
I didn’t know much about him, so I took a minute and Googled him and looked at some of the things he’s done in the past at his other places. He’s won everywhere he’s been. He’s done a great job.
– Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman
Armed with a roster bolstered by 30 transfers, Cignetti wasted no time putting his stamp on the program. The Hoosiers reeled off 10 straight wins to open the season, showcasing a high-powered offense and suffocating defense that left opponents shell-shocked.
Rewriting the Record Books
Under Cignetti’s guidance, Indiana rewrote the school’s football record books. The Hoosiers posted their largest-ever margin of victory, a 77-3 drubbing of Western Illinois, and notched two of their three most lopsided Big Ten wins in program history.
- 66-0 victory over rival Purdue
- 56-7 thrashing of Nebraska
- Led FBS in scoring at 43.3 points per game
- Boasted nation’s No. 6 scoring defense and No. 1 run defense
A Date With Destiny
Now, the upstart Hoosiers find themselves on the cusp of immortality as they prepare to face mighty Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals against defending national champion Georgia.
This team’s accomplished a lot, I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished. I think the coaches have done a great job, players have done a great job. But in saying that, no one’s satisfied. The players are hungry for more, the coaches are hungry for more.
– Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti
Regardless of the outcome against the Fighting Irish, one thing is certain: Cignetti and his Hoosiers have forever altered the landscape of Indiana football. With a coach who knows nothing but success at the helm, the sky is the limit for this program’s future.
The Architect of a Gridiron Revolution
For orchestrating one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory, Cignetti was named the Associated Press Coach of the Year. He received 30 of 45 votes from AP Top 25 voters, far outdistancing runner-up Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State.
Thank you to The Associated Press for this tremendous team honor. Our program has had a great season and we look forward to opening the College Football Playoff against Notre Dame on Friday.
– Curt Cignetti, AP Coach of the Year
As the Hoosiers stand on the precipice of a moment that once seemed unimaginable, the college football world watches with bated breath. Win or lose, Indiana’s magical 2024 season will be remembered as the year a coaching wizard named Curt Cignetti took a long-suffering program and made it believe in miracles.
