Can someone explain to me how in the hell

[kurt cloverdales]

Cignetti has pulled this off. I didn't realize how many starters we lost from last year's team until it was discussed on gameday. I know we picked up a lot of James Madison players, but would anyone have thought even if we took their whole roster that they could compete in the big 10. I know we picked up a bunch of guys from the portal but would have to assume they weren't 4- and 5-star guys that the big boys were going after.

it's almost miraculous what he has accomplished in such a short time, has recruiting picked up? what is our NIL situation going forward compared to the top programs? why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

must admit what I've seen at memorial stadium the past few weeks is beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but damn it has been so much fun following this team.

 

[bwcoach]

Cignetti has pulled this off. I didn't realize how many starters we lost from last year's team until it was discussed on gameday. I know we picked up a lot of James Madison players, but would anyone have thought even if we took their whole roster that they could compete in the big 10. I know we picked up a bunch of guys from the portal but would have to assume they weren't 4- and 5-star guys that the big boys were going after.

it's almost miraculous what he has accomplished in such a short time, has recruiting picked up? what is our NIL situation going forward compared to the top programs? why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

must admit what I've seen at memorial stadium the past few weeks is beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but damn it has been so much fun following this team.

Maybe his sense of what a good football player is much different than Allen’s. And of course there’s coaching.

 

[OpenWheels]

You, me, and most of the coaches and programs in college football are asking your same question.

I think Cig was at the forefront of the portal. I believe with what he has shown, bidding is going to go insane in future years. Everybody will be trying to 'flip the roster' . I still think we're good. Cig will use his eye and sense of character and be able to play 'moneyball' against the biggest spenders. It'll get tougher though. And gotta coach em up too.

Edit: I also believe like others are saying it's mostly having a dam good ability to coach. He could take his'n and whip yours and take yours and whip his.

 

[Tammany Hall]

My guess: A good system and a 100% aligned staff that has worked together a long time. It’s been amazing.

 

[td75]

It's a combination of getting the right pieces from the transfer portal which to CCC, meant production over stars. In short, he went after players that had developed and produced elsewhere but weren't 4* players out of high school. Aiden Fisher is exhibit A.

He has assembled a Sun Belt all star team on defense if you ask me. They've proven to be very good players who produced at JMU, Old Dominion, and other small schools who've translated extremely well to the Big Ten.

His coaching acumen is obviously very high, too. He says Washington forced him to basically scrap their game plan on the fly yesterday. I don't recall an Indiana coach ever being able to adjust and dominate their opponent in that situation. I'm sure 90% of college coaches would struggle to do that.

The other answer is Kurtis Rourke and it's why we desperately need him back to chase a championship!

 

[ce36ei]

He let the losers walk, brought in basically a new 2 deep.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

kurt……you’ve been watching too much Woody and Calipari ball. Chasing stars with no chemistry, system or discipline.
It’s the same reason that Coach Knight beat teams like UNLV when they said they were completely overmatched.

 

[CC Mac]

It’s been a combination of things I think.
The favorable schedule has been huge with 8 very winnable home.games.
The first two away games were good match ups as well.
We deserved a break with the schedule,we have gotten the other end of it many times.
Cig being able to bring his whole staff with him is also huge.
Cig’s ability to evaluate talent was a factor.
Many were worried he was bringing too many JMU guys with him.
That he didn’t know what type of player it would take to compete in this conference,the man knows what he’s doing.
Many questioned bringing in a MAC QB but he targeted him as a priority and it’s worked out pretty well I would say.
Small school,big school,football is football,if you can play you can play.
No matter how the rest of the season plays out,this has been a lot of fun.
It’s easy sometimes to catch lightning in a bottle,the real test will be to see if he can sustain what he’s started.
We have snuck up on some teams this year, going forward the target will be on our back,I hope we can handle it.

 

[MMM1992]

I heard Don Fischer and Buck Suhr talking about this in the postgame and Buck made the comment of how NIL monies may not be benefiting programs, if any, for improved success. I suppose time will tell.

 

[Sobchak_Security]

Cignetti has pulled this off. I didn't realize how many starters we lost from last year's team until it was discussed on gameday. I know we picked up a lot of James Madison players, but would anyone have thought even if we took their whole roster that they could compete in the big 10. I know we picked up a bunch of guys from the portal but would have to assume they weren't 4- and 5-star guys that the big boys were going after.

it's almost miraculous what he has accomplished in such a short time, has recruiting picked up? what is our NIL situation going forward compared to the top programs? why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

must admit what I've seen at memorial stadium the past few weeks is beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but damn it has been so much fun following this team.

Having an entire staff that believes in a system that works, both offensively and defensively, and knows what skill set they want at each position is key. Not to mention knowing the type of personality in a player that creates a winning culture. I share your opinion in that what we are seeing I wasn’t sure was possible for Indiana football. But Cignetti is the closest thing we have had since, and might ever again have, to Bob Knight. We have to move mountains to make sure we keep him at Indiana.

This is so much fun to watch. A few buddies and I were at the game yesterday and the entire environment around town was electric. Gameday, The Walk, you name it. Cignetti has absolutely become the face of an unprecedented energy around Indiana football.

 

[IUgradman]

Cignetti had never been a head coach at the FBS level until JMU transitioned in 2022. I don’t know the last time a Power 5 program hired a coach from the FCS. Plus, he is older which likely made him less attractive as a candidate.

Alabama, Michigan State, Washington, and Texas A&M all hired coaches with P5 head coaching experience last season. UCLA and Michigan hired from within. Duke was interested in Cignetti but he rightly understood that going forward the Big Ten and SEC were the only two conferences that mattered in football.

 

[RegionHoosiers]

I’m starting to think the favorable schedule is overplayed a bit. If they played Oregon and O$U already maybe IU is 6-2. Still incredible.

The portal and the NIL commitment obviously helped. The portal more so - it’s not like they’ve brought in a bunch of 4 and 5 stars they out paid the big teams for. But without the portal - it would take 3/4 years to build a team like this.

I haven’t been this excited about any sport in a long time. Kind of how I used to be about IU bball.

I keep contrasting this with the Woody hire. Pays off to bring in experience and a history of winning at the college level. Guess that’s what they tried with Archie.

 

[TominDallas]

He said this next recruiting cycles will be NIL transfer $$ again, alot like this last winter. But in 2026, he will be going after many more high school players and filling out the roster with NIL transfers.

 

[TominDallas]

JMU is good again this year. That team was stacked.

 

[hoosierfan13]

why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

Because college football is LOADED with nepotism and guys with massive egos.

 

[zeke4ahs]

JMU is good again this year. That team was stacked.

I wonder if we will get JMU portal players again this year. Their coach my not look too kindly on that.

 

[Tammany Hall]

I wonder if we will get JMU portal players again this year. Their coach my not look too kindly on that.

It’s rough, but makes sense to go back to the well and see what’s there.

 

[TomEric4756]

I heard Don Fischer and Buck Suhr talking about this in the postgame and Buck made the comment of how NIL monies may not be benefiting programs, if any, for improved success. I suppose time will tell.

Heard Buck say that too … All teams need players who have their heads on straight, and are capable of executing what the coaches want. Simply chasing raw talent isn’t the recipe for success.

 

[indy1203]

Cignetti has pulled this off. I didn't realize how many starters we lost from last year's team until it was discussed on gameday. I know we picked up a lot of James Madison players, but would anyone have thought even if we took their whole roster that they could compete in the big 10. I know we picked up a bunch of guys from the portal but would have to assume they weren't 4- and 5-star guys that the big boys were going after.

it's almost miraculous what he has accomplished in such a short time, has recruiting picked up? what is our NIL situation going forward compared to the top programs? why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

must admit what I've seen at memorial stadium the past few weeks is beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but damn it has been so much fun following this team.

Simple, production over potential someone once said, oh wait it was Cig.

 

[82hoosier]

Cignetti has pulled this off. I didn't realize how many starters we lost from last year's team until it was discussed on gameday. I know we picked up a lot of James Madison players, but would anyone have thought even if we took their whole roster that they could compete in the big 10. I know we picked up a bunch of guys from the portal but would have to assume they weren't 4- and 5-star guys that the big boys were going after.

it's almost miraculous what he has accomplished in such a short time, has recruiting picked up? what is our NIL situation going forward compared to the top programs? why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

must admit what I've seen at memorial stadium the past few weeks is beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but damn it has been so much fun following this team.

it’s hard to compare the pre-portal and NIL Wilson and Allen eras with this new era. I ‘m still trying to understand how Allen was successful in the Covid year other than having Michael Penix.

 

[Jssanto]

He let the losers walk, brought in basically a new 2 deep.

I think this is an important piece. Not calling anyone a loser, but just a more nasty/effort/physical/it’s not all right style of coaching.

 

[secondasky]

The key is Rourke. Having a great year . He is able to quickly pick out his third receiver if necessary in most cases before the defense can get to him.

 

[Orbit7958]

I heard Don Fischer and Buck Suhr talking about this in the postgame and Buck made the comment of how NIL monies may not be benefiting programs, if any, for improved success. I suppose time will tell.

like....our hoops team

 

[jsenleo]

Maybe his sense of what a good football player is much different than Allen’s. And of course there’s coaching.

This ^^^^^

His PROCESS is key too....

 

[edub72]

Players are always in position. IU tackles better, better in the trenches, and has an imagination on offense. Attitude and preparation.

 

[kurt cloverdales]

it’s hard to compare the pre-portal and NIL Wilson and Allen eras with this new era. I ‘m still trying to understand how Allen was successful in the Covid year other than having Michael Penix.

Allen is getting a bad rap, he wasn't awful

 

[vesuvius13]

Allen is getting a bad rap, he wasn't awful

He wasn't very good selecting assistants once DeBoer and Wommack left. Of course, DeBoer did recommend Sheridan as OC and I think he has made the same mistake at Alabama. Coach Allen wasn't awful until 2021.

 

[kurt cloverdales]

He wasn't very good selecting assistants once DeBoer and Wommack left. Of course, DeBoer did recommend Sheridan as OC and I think he has made the same mistake at Alabama. Coach Allen wasn't awful until 2021.

we were in most games last year, just didn't win many

 

[bang63]

we were in most games last year, just didn't win many

Isn’t closing out the game a sign of a good coach? His mind didn’t work fast enough to outthink the opposing coach, he was too busy jumping up and down.

 

[kurt cloverdales]

Isn’t closing out the game a sign of a good coach? His mind didn’t work fast enough to outthink the opposing coach, he was too busy jumping up and down.

many things involved, sometimes just plain luck, he done a good job here, obviously we have upgraded

 

[CraigHo]

Cignetti has pulled this off. I didn't realize how many starters we lost from last year's team until it was discussed on gameday. I know we picked up a lot of James Madison players, but would anyone have thought even if we took their whole roster that they could compete in the big 10. I know we picked up a bunch of guys from the portal but would have to assume they weren't 4- and 5-star guys that the big boys were going after.

it's almost miraculous what he has accomplished in such a short time, has recruiting picked up? what is our NIL situation going forward compared to the top programs? why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

must admit what I've seen at memorial stadium the past few weeks is beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but damn it has been so much fun following this team.

I honestly struggle to compare it to anything I’ve ever seen in major college sports. And the fact it’s happening to our team…….after a game I’ll just sit there for an hour, in a daze. Something we’ve all thought we would die before we would see, happens with the snap of a finger. Unreal, glad it happened to us.

 

[Big Red Crimson Buffalo]

many things involved, sometimes just plain luck, he done a good job here, obviously we have upgraded

He had 2 good years out of 7. IU was very patient with Allen and it just didn’t work out. Bottom line business and he was well comp’d on his way out.

 

[kurt cloverdales]

He had 2 good years out of 7. IU was very patient with Allen and it just didn’t work out. Bottom line business and he was well comp’d on his way out.

agree it was time for a change, still think he did a decent job overall

 

[DANC]

Cignetti has pulled this off. I didn't realize how many starters we lost from last year's team until it was discussed on gameday. I know we picked up a lot of James Madison players, but would anyone have thought even if we took their whole roster that they could compete in the big 10. I know we picked up a bunch of guys from the portal but would have to assume they weren't 4- and 5-star guys that the big boys were going after.

it's almost miraculous what he has accomplished in such a short time, has recruiting picked up? what is our NIL situation going forward compared to the top programs? why did he never get a power 5 offer before he turned 60?

must admit what I've seen at memorial stadium the past few weeks is beyond anything I ever thought was possible, but damn it has been so much fun following this team.

Cig said he selects players based on production, not potential.

He also wants players who are hungry, with a chip on their shoulder - something to prove. Much like Cig himself.

He also says he values guys with good character - something not always evident with the high star players.

Evidently it's working for him. In Cig We Trust!

 

[DANC]

It’s been a combination of things I think.
The favorable schedule has been huge with 8 very winnable home.games.
The first two away games were good match ups as well.
We deserved a break with the schedule,we have gotten the other end of it many times.
Cig being able to bring his whole staff with him is also huge.
Cig’s ability to evaluate talent was a factor.
Many were worried he was bringing too many JMU guys with him.
That he didn’t know what type of player it would take to compete in this conference,the man knows what he’s doing.
Many questioned bringing in a MAC QB but he targeted him as a priority and it’s worked out pretty well I would say.
Small school,big school,football is football,if you can play you can play.
No matter how the rest of the season plays out,this has been a lot of fun.
It’s easy sometimes to catch lightning in a bottle,the real test will be to see if he can sustain what he’s started.
We have snuck up on some teams this year, going forward the target will be on our back,I hope we can handle it.

Next year will be the real challenge. Tougher schedule and we lost a lot of talent, including QB.

Teams will be ready for us - right now, other teams aren't mentally processing IU as a legit football power.

But..... I think Cig is going to have a lot of portal players knocking on his door. He's proved he doesn't need years to develop players and he'll play the ones who can produce.

But I'm basking in this year, for now.

 

[TominDallas]

He wasn't very good selecting assistants once DeBoer and Wommack left. Of course, DeBoer did recommend Sheridan as OC and I think he has made the same mistake at Alabama. Coach Allen wasn't awful until 2021.

Sticking with that Oline coach was a BIG mistake, but the DC's and OC's following DeBoer were terrible.

 

[daddyhoosier]

I was actually bummed all off-season. I thought the Indiana vortex of doom would chew CCC up and spit him out.
I think I've said this elsewhere but one of the secrets to the Bobby Bowden Dynasty was how that staff stayed together for so long. They had a good system and good synergy and they were satisfied with winning. They had a very long run. I think we need to acknowledge Shanahan and Haines and Bostad who was retained. Coaching is such a big part of the equation.