Curt Cignetti is a man who jumped out of nowhere and took the college football world by storm; only an amateur would say this, who doesn’t know his history with this sport.  Still confused? Aren’t you aware he’s the son of a famous Hall of Fame legend, Frank Cignetti Sr. Now you know, football runs in his veins, or better to say, coaching runs in his veins! living in the Cignetti home on Dogwood Avenue in Morgantown, West Virginia, was the place where everything started.

On the November 20th episode of the Triple Option Indiana, head coach Curt Cignetti opened up about personal stuff, specifically his father.

“Well, my dad, my dad, was a great role model, a great leader too. You know, he led by example. He had a tremendous work ethic. He had a real presence about him. His messages were really always on point. Helped a lot of people in life. Overcame cancer in my senior high school. You know, I’m the oldest of four and was given his last rites twice in his third year at West Virginia. Lived 43 more years.”

Although Frank Sr. never pushed his sons into this sport, they were naturally inclined to do so. Not only Cignetti but his brother Frank Cignetti Jr. was also a longtime college and NFL coach. But their innocent smiles were turned grim when the ideal of their lives fell ill. In 1978, Curt’s senior year of high school, Frank Cignetti Sr. was diagnosed with lymphoid granulomatosis, a type of rare cancer. Moving forward, Cignetti talked about his dad’s work ethic, from whom he took inspiration.

“And, you know, I never coached for my dad, and I really was on the team one year when my dad was a coach. I was a redshirt freshman. But you know, there’s no question about the influence that he’s had on me—just a high-character guy. And of course, in some of the comments I make publicly, people probably don’t think that about me, but I mean, I can’t imagine having a better dad in the whole world.”

Frank Cignetti Sr. was introduced to the IU Hall of Fame after finishing 182-50-1 at IU Pennsylvania College. Cignetti drew inspiration from his dad, as he never said no to opportunities, believed in growth, and always looked forward. You know what? Frank began his coaching career as a high school coach before moving to the assistant coaching spot at Pitt, Princeton, and working under Bolly Bowden. Soon after that, he replaced Bowden as head coach.

The interesting thing here is that the OG Nick Saban worked as Frank Cignetti’s defensive backs coach at WVU from 1978 to 1979. Growing up in a legendary family poured fuel to his fire.

Curt Cignetti following on his father’s footsteps

Now you understand Cignetti is not an overnight star; he woke to this success quite steadily. Although it was long ago, his die-hard fans would know Curt played as West Virginia’s quarterback for a good time before starting his coaching career at Pitt, where his father also coached. not long after that, he coached at places such as Davidson, Rice, Temple, Pitt once more, and NC State. are you insane? He did all that in one lifetime? Seriously?

Well, there is more. Though the rest is history, as everyone knows, Curt joined Nick Saban’s crew in 2007 as the wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. It was the time when he had the chance to do something big in his life when he chose to be the head coach of a familiar program, IU Pennsylvania.

A place where his dad coached and his brother played and also a place he made a lifetime of connection with. His wife grew up there. However, taking a job with a 60% pay cut came with its risks. At least it didn’t go well with Manette Cignetti, his wife. “We had two kids that were in college, and it was a 60%. it’s not about the money with me, but it: How do I make what (the kids) want to do happen? You can’t take that job,” she said.

And the rest is history. He assured his wife, took that job, won 12 games, and led the program to the Division II quarterfinal during his second ear at IUP. fast forward to today, and Cignetti has turned the Indiana Hoosiers upside down with his excellence. A confirmed spot in the playoffs, still unbeatable! The latest addition to his thriving success? he signed a $72 million contract renewal package by the Hoosiers. He can now go home and thank Manette Cignetti for agreeing to his risky life decisions!