Coach Curt Cignetti to INDIANA... Forever and Ever, Amen!

[rcbowla]

1 hour ago, Hovadipo said:

If I didn’t already know and you told me to pick the two least likely football characters to really, truly like Pat I think I’d choose Cig and Saban. And they both LOVE him. (And I’m pretty certain aren’t fans of each other)

Something tells me it was as simple as Saban's ego taking a shot when Cig decided to go to IUP despite Saban telling him not to. Clearly I have no actual clue but ol' Nicky comes across as a guy that'll hold onto any grudge he possibly can. Especially when he's proven wrong. 

[Hovadipo]

6 minutes ago, rcbowla said:

Something tells me it was as simple as Saban's ego taking a shot when Cig decided to go to IUP despite Saban telling him not to. Clearly I have no actual clue but ol' Nicky comes across as a guy that'll hold onto any grudge he possibly can. Especially when he's proven wrong. 

I think that explains Saban’s side. Cig seems to respect him, but the stories that came out last week about Saban using Cig as a punching bag makes me think he didn’t have to think too long about leaving. 

It’s a weird dynamic and it always seems like Saban would rather talk about literally anything else when IU comes up on Gameday. 

[8bucks]

1 hour ago, Hovadipo said:

I think that explains Saban’s side. Cig seems to respect him, but the stories that came out last week about Saban using Cig as a punching bag makes me think he didn’t have to think too long about leaving. 

It’s a weird dynamic and it always seems like Saban would rather talk about literally anything else when IU comes up on Gameday. 

What were these stories 

[southsidehoosier]

Yes this is reality. NHL coaches quoting Cig

 

[8bucks]

Cignetti Film Junkie

glad he is our guy 

[Hovadipo]

Only because the media circus has made it kind of a “thing” the last two days, Schefter just totally shot down any Cig to the NFL buzz on McAfee Show. Didn’t even remotely leave a door open for it. 

[Pagoda]

Sometimes NFL guys just blab and make up stuff.  Any CFB person will tell you the chance of Cig to the NFL is basically zero.

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

Cig has the golden goose and I can't imagine him dealing with NFL egos.

[Hovadipo]

31 minutes ago, Pagoda said:

Sometimes NFL guys just blab and make up stuff.  Any CFB person will tell you the chance of Cig to the NFL is basically zero.

I believe it originated with Rich Eisen who, as one of the most annoying Michigan Men in the world, was probably trying to will it into existence.

[LIHoosier]

35 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

I believe it originated with Rich Eisen who, as one of the most annoying Michigan Men in the world, was probably trying to will it into existence.

Next up is willing his bestie Deion to the Browns HC.

[AZ Hoosier]

44 minutes ago, Hovadipo said:

I believe it originated with Rich Eisen who, as one of the most annoying Michigan Men in the world, was probably trying to will it into existence.

Like I tell my kids... crap in one hand and wish in the other, and see which one fills up first.

[JSHoosier]

https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/ut/2026/01/07/briggs-indiana-s-curt-cignetti-got-blown-out-by-toledo-in-di-head-coaching-debut/stories/20260107129

 

[AZ Hoosier]

39 minutes ago, JSHoosier said:

https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/ut/2026/01/07/briggs-indiana-s-curt-cignetti-got-blown-out-by-toledo-in-di-head-coaching-debut/stories/20260107129

 

Paywalled. In what world would I want to subscribe to a Toledo newspaper?

[JSHoosier]

29 minutes ago, AZ Hoosier said:

Paywalled. In what world would I want to subscribe to a Toledo newspaper?

Hmm. Must've been a certain amount of free views, I'm not subscribed.

His Elon team lost by 30+ in his first game as coach and it hasn't happened since. That Elon team went on to win 8 straight games.

[rcbowla]

So I think it's worth asking/considering/speculating about things in regards to a new level of talent that could be incoming over the next few years. Wonder if there will be any sort of drop off in terms of culture as you bring in higher level talent? I tend to believe that talent in the right hands wins. I could see the argument that lesser talent may work harder, have extra motivation and be more coachable. I trust Cig, duh, mostly because of the culture he's built and I believe he'll eliminate a problem regardless of the talent level. Just something I've been thinking about.

[TTT]

Self Actualization….enough is enough.  (It was IU football and now it is Cignetti IU football).

[rayl456]

11 minutes ago, rcbowla said:

So I think it's worth asking/considering/speculating about things in regards to a new level of talent that could be incoming over the next few years. Wonder if there will be any sort of drop off in terms of culture as you bring in higher level talent? I tend to believe that talent in the right hands wins. I could see the argument that lesser talent may work harder, have extra motivation and be more coachable. I trust Cig, duh, mostly because of the culture he's built and I believe he'll eliminate a problem regardless of the talent level. Just something I've been thinking about.

When Coach Cignetti speaks about his players he always says they are young men with high character.  They may be what we think of as more talented, but character is also targeted just as much as talent.  That’s why humble and hungry works.  JMHO.

[Hovadipo]

16 minutes ago, rcbowla said:

So I think it's worth asking/considering/speculating about things in regards to a new level of talent that could be incoming over the next few years. Wonder if there will be any sort of drop off in terms of culture as you bring in higher level talent? I tend to believe that talent in the right hands wins. I could see the argument that lesser talent may work harder, have extra motivation and be more coachable. I trust Cig, duh, mostly because of the culture he's built and I believe he'll eliminate a problem regardless of the talent level. Just something I've been thinking about.

I don't necessarily think we have to sacrifice culture for talent. Finding the culture guys that are also a step above talent-wise isn't easy, but right now we have the luxury of being choosy. Plus, once we go through another couple of cycles of HS kids coming in that establish the culture even deeper, we can also take some bigger swings on a freak that may need some guidance.

[jermhoosierfan]

1 hour ago, Hovadipo said:

I don't necessarily think we have to sacrifice culture for talent. Finding the culture guys that are also a step above talent-wise isn't easy, but right now we have the luxury of being choosy. Plus, once we go through another couple of cycles of HS kids coming in that establish the culture even deeper, we can also take some bigger swings on a freak that may need some guidance.

He has stated in interviews that he learned how to run a program from Saban in the first 4 years of his time there.  Saban had very few problems, and the ones he did have were taken care of.  He didn't sacrifice the culture and what he had built there because of one or 2 bad apples, and Cig is the same way.  

[Class of '66 Old Fart]

I posted this elsewhere -

Interesting Cig quote from this morning:  "I don't put up with BS. I'm a little bit old school. You've gotta meet the bar. And if you can't consistently meet the bar, you're in the wrong place."