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'I am excited to lead this program' | IU football hiring Curt Cignetti as new head coach

Cignetti will join the Hoosiers following a successful campaign with James Madison University that saw him lead the team from the FCS to FBS without missing a step.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — The Indiana University football team found its new head coach. 

13Sports reporter Dominic Miranda has confirmed Thursday that the current coach of James Madison University's football team, Curt Cignetti, will be Tom Allen's replacement

“I am excited to lead this program forward and change the culture, mindset, and expectation level of Hoosier football,” Cignetti said. “I want to thank Director of Athletics Scott Dolson and President Pam Whitten, and I look forward to working with both in building something special at IU. Both share my vision and belief that big things are ahead for the IU program.”

Cignetti, 62, has previously coached Division II Indiana University Pennsylvania, FCS school Elon, and most recently JMU, which recently made the jump from FCS to FBS.

In his 13 years as a head coach, Cignetti boasts a 119-35 record and has successfully led JMU's transition from FCS to FBS. His current team is ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll and posted a 2023 record of 11-1. 

“I am very excited to welcome Curt Cignetti as the head football coach at Indiana University,” Dolson said. “We had a very talented and deep pool of candidates, and Curt stood out thanks to an incredible track record of success over more than four decades in college football. As a head coach he’s succeeded everywhere he’s been, and as an assistant he has been a part of championship cultures while working alongside some of the game’s best coaches."

Cignetti will be the Hoosiers' 30th head football coach. 

Coaching experience

  • James Madison University
    2019-23: Head Coach
  • Elon University
    2017-18: Head Coach
  • Indiana University of Pennsylvania
    2011-16: Head Coach
  • University of Alabama
    2007-10: Recruiting Coordinator/Wide Receivers
  • North Carolina State University
    2000-06: Recruiting Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Tight Ends
  • University of Pittsburgh
    1993-99: Quarterbacks/Tight Ends
  • Temple University
    1989-92: Quarterbacks
  • Rice University
    1986-88: Quarterbacks
  • Davidson College
    1985: Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers
  • University of Pittsburgh
    1983-84: Graduate Assistant

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