When I think of The University of Indiana my mind immediately thinks about basketball and players such as Isiah Thomas (1980-81), Dean Garrett (1987-88), Noah Vonleh (2013-14), and Victor Oladipo. Indiana was without a doubt considered a basketball school.
The Indiana Hoosiers football program decided after only one winning season in 7 seasons and 2 Bowl Game losses in as many appearances. (2020 Gator Bowl L vs TENN 23-22, 2021 Outback Bowl L vs Ole Miss 26-20) Change was overdue.
Former JMU Head Coach Curt Cignetti was believed to be the right man to turn the ship around. Coach Cignetti was 52-9 (31-4 in conference play) leading the Dukes in their transition from FCS to FBS, winning three consecutive conference championships, and becoming the first coach to get a transitioning program ranked in the AP Top 25 in the first year of FBS play.
On November 30, 2023, The University of Indiana decided it was time for a new era, in regard to their football program, and signed Former James Madison University Head Coach Curt Cignetti to a Six-Year $24 Million contract.
Fast forward to tonight. Big Ten Championship against #1 Ohio State Coach Cignetti led the Hoosiers to their first Big Ten Championship overall since 1967, beating Ohio State 13-10.
The Buckeyes defense held Indiana well below their season average of 44.3 points per game, but Ohio State could not get anything going on the offensive side of the ball. Ohio State finished the game 3 for 10 on third down, gave up 9 TFL, and only averaged 2.2 yards per carry.
After winning their first outright Big Ten football title since 1945, Curt Cignetti has the Indiana Hoosiers on the rise and potentially on the cusp of winning their first National Championship. Who cares that it took 80 years?
The Hoosiers are HERE and ready to make some noise in the CFP.
