Indiana Coach Cignetti Gives Transfer WR 'Wake-Up Call' Over Gold Cleats

Curt Cignetti wants his players focused on the team culture, not individual style choices.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 12:22am

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Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti criticized new transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh for wearing gold cleats to the team's first spring practice, saying Marsh "learned what getting your ass ripped is all about." Cignetti, who has built a winning culture at Indiana, is known for his candid approach and intolerance of anything that could be a distraction from the team's goals.

Why it matters

Cignetti has transformed Indiana into a national powerhouse, and he is determined to maintain the team's strong culture even as the Hoosiers have become a popular destination for high-profile transfer players. His no-nonsense approach helps ensure all players, new and old, are fully bought into the program's values and expectations.

The details

In his first spring practice with Indiana, transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh wore gold cleats, which prompted a stern rebuke from head coach Curt Cignetti. Cignetti, a former Nick Saban assistant, said he "didn't love those gold shoes" and that Marsh "learned what getting your ass ripped is all about" over the footwear choice. Cignetti is known for his candid, no-nonsense style and intolerance of anything that could be a distraction from the team's goals.

  • On March 27, 2026, Curt Cignetti criticized Nick Marsh for wearing gold cleats to Indiana's first spring practice.

The players

Curt Cignetti

The head football coach of the Indiana Hoosiers, known for building a winning culture and maintaining high standards for his players.

Nick Marsh

A wide receiver who transferred to Indiana from Michigan State, where he had 100 catches for 1,311 yards and 9 touchdowns over two seasons.

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What they’re saying

“I didn't love those gold shoes he came out in today. He learned what getting your ass ripped is all about. I don't know if that happened to him very often at Michigan State.”

— Curt Cignetti, Head Coach, Indiana Hoosiers

“That was a wake-up call. But he's really worked hard, done a great job for us.”

— Curt Cignetti, Head Coach, Indiana Hoosiers

The takeaway

Curt Cignetti's no-nonsense approach to maintaining team culture and discipline, even with high-profile transfer players, is a key part of his success in transforming Indiana into a national powerhouse. His willingness to publicly call out players for minor infractions sends a clear message about the standards expected in the program.