Curt Cignetti of Indiana has successfully united his team following the CFP. The Hoosiers returned all their key starters, losing only a few backups. “Everybody was in a good place, excited about where we’re going,” Cignetti said. But it wasn’t always this way. Before he arrived in Indiana, the road was rocky. In a candid moment, the head coach opened up about the struggles he faced before this success. It’s been a tough journey.

When Curt Cignetti joined Indiana, he wasn’t here to make friends—he was here to win. He made that crystal clear with his fiery statement: “I don’t take a backseat to anybody and don’t plan on starting now. Purdue s—-! But so do Michigan and Ohio State!” The fans went wild, and a culture shift was born. But in a recent episode of Rivals, when asked about his thoughts on Indiana fans, Cignetti dropped a truth bomb. It wasn’t just talk—it was a message that resonated with the entire fan base.

Cignetti knew he had a challenge on his hands. “You know, I had to find out if the fan base was dead or just on life support,” he said. And it was clear why. Before Cignetti arrived, Indiana football was in rough shape. The Hoosiers finished the 2023 season with a bleak 3–9 record, including a brutal 1–8 Big 10 performance. HC Tom Allen’s firing initiated a major overhaul of the program. Therefore, Cignetti’s task was straightforward—revive a program that had reached its lowest point.

And now, under Cignetti’s leadership, Indiana football is on the rise. The Hoosiers are showing signs of improvement. It’s reflected in the transfer portal news. As of now, Indiana sits at 53rd in the recruiting rankings, a significant jump from last season’s 61st place. So, the program is gaining momentum, and the future looks brighter.

Cignetti and his staff deserve all the credit. In a world where the transfer portal has coaches scrambling to keep their players, Cignetti kept things calm. No drama, no major defections. He didn’t struggle to keep key talent. “The very visible players, you know, we handled those guys on the front end,” Cignetti said. He’s been a pro at keeping things tight-knit and setting the stage for future success.

The Hoosiers are bringing back 6 major playmakers— including LB Aiden Fisher, CB D’Angelo Ponds, and WR Elijah Sarratt— all fresh off All-Big 10 honors. “The retention piece was not really an issue,” Cignetti said. Even with six departures during the winter portal window, the core is intact. And Indiana’s foundation is strong.

Even the 12 players that the program has lost are nothing compared to what the Hoosiers faced before Cignetti in Bloomington. It was 27 in 2022, followed by 20 outgoings in 2023. When Allen was fired, 36 players had left the program. Now, things are settled—a head coach committed to a long contract, looking to make football the main thing in a school known for its basketball prowess.

Indiana impresses Fernando Mendoza

In a recent podcast interview with Hoosiers Connect, new Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza opened up about his decision to transfer to the Hoosiers. Mendoza didn’t hold back, praising the IU staff for their impact. He gave high marks to QB coach Chandler Whitmer, OC Mike Shanahan, and head coach Curt Cignetti. The support and vision from the coaching staff were key factors in his decision. Mendoza is ready to make his mark in Bloomington, and the excitement is palpable.

“The reason IU stood out and stood out way above the rest, was the number one factor was development. The development that Coach Cignetti brings, that Coach Shanahan brings, and Coach Whitmer brings,” said the new QB.

Mendoza didn’t stop there. He raved about Shanahan’s offensive genius and Whitmer’s invaluable NFL experience. But what really stood out to him was the track record. Every quarterback under Cignetti had gone on to win conference Player of the Year awards. Mendoza made it clear—his sights are set on the NFL. With this coaching staff behind him, his dreams feel closer than ever.

As of now, under Cignetti’s leadership, all eyes will be on Indiana in 2025. With a solid foundation and a revamped roster, the Hoosiers are poised for greatness. Will they rise to the top of the Big Ten? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—Cignetti has them on the right track.