When Penn State started its coaching search, Curt Cignetti was one of the first names to come to mind, but now, that possibility looks to be off the table.
Matt Zenitz of 247Sports reported late Thursday afternoon that Indiana had signed Cignetti to an 8-year extension worth $11.6 million a year.
For context, Penn State paid James Franklin $70 million over 10 years in Nov. 2021. So, yeah, Cignetti is getting a lot, but it’s hard to argue that he hasn’t earned it.
When Cignetti came to Indiana before the 2023 season, it was one of the worst programs in the Big Ten. Now, it’s one of the best in the country, with a Playoff appearance in Year 1 and an even better Year 2, with the highlight being a signature win at Oregon last weekend.
Now, Indiana is ranked No. 3 in the country, but even with the monster Cignetti is building, there wear reasons to think Penn State might be in play.
Penn State football is, historically, a much better program than Indiana, and Penn State certainly has the financial resources to go after just about anybody they want.
Cignetti also grew up in the Pittsburgh area, so he is a PA guy.
With that said, money talks, and the fact that gazillionaire Mark Cuban graduated from Indiana doesn’t hurt, either.
It’s always possible— in theory— for coaches to change their minds after getting extended. But it’s highly, highly unlikely.
Now, the Penn State coaching search moves elsewhere. At Indiana, all the focus is on what’s happening on the field, which could lead IU to a national championship.
