BREAKING: Indiana Blocks Curt Cignetti from Penn State Coaching Search with Massive New Contract
Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft can officially cross Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti off of his hot board for James Franklin‘s replacement in Happy Valley.
Cignetti signed a new eight-year contract extension Thursday, that will keep him in Bloomington through 2033.
According to Indiana’s press release, Cignetti’s new deal will pay him approximately $11.6 million per year through the eight year extension.
Cignetti was seen as one of the top names in this year’s coaching carousel after going 17-2 since taking over as the Hoosier’s head coach.
On the Pat McAfee Show Thursday, Cignetti noted that Indiana has “the largest alumni base in America now” and has fans that are “crazy and nutty.” Cignetti stated, “We’ve built on our successes all the way around and the games are sold out.”
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Cignetti was an unknown for Penn State’s coaching search (and other national coaching searches) on whether he would want to continue to build Indiana’s program (which has historically been the worst team in the history of college football (most losses of any team all-time) or move on to a new program.
With the extension, Cignetti has signaled his desire to stay in Bloomington for the foreseeable future. Penn State and Pat Kraft will continue the “national search” for Penn State’s next head coach without Cignetti’s name on the board moving forward.
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