Indiana's 38-3 thumping of Alabama could lead to yet another raise for the Head Hoosier Curt Cignetti. And not just because IU is feeling generous, either.
That's according to contract language reviewed by Front Office Sports, which found that IU is obligated to conduct a "good faith market review" and offer a salary among the three highest in the sport any time Cignetti delivers the Hoosiers to the College Football Playoff semifinals. If Indiana fails to deliver such an offer, Cignetti's $15 million coach-end buyout would be waived and the coach would be free to leave without penalty.
Of course, that doomsday scenario is highly unlikely to actually happen. The contract requires IU to meet with Cignetti's camp within 120 days of Indiana qualifying for the CFP semis, and by that point all jobs will (presumably) be full.
Cignetti, 25-2 in not quite two full seasons, has already earned two raises since taking the job 24 months ago. His $4.5 million salary was bumped to $8 million last November, and then in October Cignetti signed a new 8-year contract that averages $11.6 million.
Thanks to Lane Kiffin's new deal at LSU, Ohio State's Ryan Day is currently the third highest-paid coach in the sport at $12.5 million.
Cignetti recalled his negotiation with IU AD Scott Dolson shortly after signing the deal. It took less time than it will for you to read this article.
"He popped in for about a minute and a half," Cignetti recalled, "(and) said, 'This is kind of what we'd like to do. Okay if we call your representative?'
"I said, 'Sure, it would be great.'"
Indiana has not been tight with the purse strings in supporting Cignetti and his staff, whose pool jumped to $11 million in 2024, the second-largest in college football at the time. Indiana is required to renegotiate if Cignetti's staff ever falls below the top five in the Big Ten or the top 10 nationally.
It would not be a surprise here if Cignetti directed extra money toward his staff or Indiana's revenue-share pool. One does not leave a position coaching job at Alabama for Indiana University of Pennsylvania if money is your motivation.
And Cignetti is not done collecting on this year's undefeated run, either. Wins over Oregon and the Ole Miss/Miami winner would deliver him a $2 million national title bonus.