Indiana's Curt Cignetti Lands 8-Year, $13.2M Extension After Title Run

Cignetti's new deal makes him one of college football's highest-paid coaches.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti has signed an eight-year contract extension worth an average of $13.2 million per year, a significant raise from his previous deal. The extension comes after Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first national championship in 2025, capping off a record-breaking 16-0 season. Cignetti's new deal puts him among the highest-paid coaches in college football, joining the likes of Georgia's Kirby Smart and LSU's Lane Kiffin.

Why it matters

Cignetti's extension solidifies Indiana as a national power in college football and rewards the coach for transforming the once-struggling program into a title contender. The lucrative deal reflects the university's commitment to maintaining continuity and keeping Cignetti, who has quickly become a fan favorite, in Bloomington for the long term.

The details

Cignetti's new contract includes a base salary of $500,000 per year through 2033, as well as a $1 million retention bonus each November. The remaining portion of the $105.6 million deal will come from outside, promotional, and marketing income. The extension represents a significant raise from Cignetti's previous eight-year, $92.8 million contract that he initially agreed to in October.

  • Cignetti initially agreed to an eight-year extension worth $92.8 million in October 2025.
  • Cignetti signed the memorandum of understanding on the new eight-year, $105.6 million extension on February 4, 2026.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head football coach at Indiana University, who led the Hoosiers to their first national championship in 2025 and has now been rewarded with a lucrative contract extension.

Kirby Smart

The head football coach at the University of Georgia, who is one of the few other active FBS coaches to receive a paycheck of $13 million or more per year.

Lane Kiffin

The head football coach at Louisiana State University, who is also one of the few active FBS coaches to receive a paycheck of $13 million or more per year.

Riley Nowakowski

An Indiana tight end who recounted one of his favorite stories about Coach Cignetti during the recent NFL scouting combine.

Alberto Mendoza

An Indiana player who was on the receiving end of one of Cignetti's memorable sideline interactions, as recounted by Nowakowski.

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What they’re saying

“We're not paying you to run the ball, hand the ball off, right? We're up like 70 points, but he's pissed off, yelling at Bert, and (Cignetti) just turned back at me and gave me one of his little smiles, and he was just like, 'You like that now?'”

— Curt Cignetti, Head Coach

What’s next

Indiana will begin next season with the longest winning streak (16) and longest home winning streak (15) in the FBS. The Hoosiers open defense of their league and national titles at home against North Texas on September 5.

The takeaway

Cignetti's contract extension solidifies Indiana as an emerging power in college football and rewards the coach for quickly transforming the once-struggling program into a national champion. The lucrative deal reflects the university's commitment to maintaining continuity and keeping Cignetti, who has become a fan favorite, in Bloomington for the long term.