Curt Cignetti
Mentioned in 32 analyzed podcast episodes across 10 shows
Head coach of Indiana University football who orchestrated a historic program turnaround, leading the Hoosiers to an undefeated national championship in his first season despite inheriting one of college football's historically struggling programs. Known for his sophisticated approach to team building through the transfer portal and NIL strategy, player development, and establishing a winning culture emphasizing accountability and maximizing talent rather than relying on highly-recruited players. Widely discussed across sports podcasts as an example of rapid program transformation and innovative coaching philosophy in modern college football.
Appears On
Episode Appearances
New Heights with Jason & Travis Kelce · Apr 15, 2026
Ballpark Food Debate, Masters Recap & Troy Aikman on NFL QB Play, Drafting Mendoza & More | Ep 187
“Praised for remarkable coaching achievement winning national championship; came from James Madison”
Andy & Ari On3 · Apr 3, 2026
Curt Cignetti CLAPS BACK at TCU’s Sonny Dykes for comments on Indiana’s new QB Josh Hoover | DJ Lagway's new start at Baylor
“Defended Josh Hoover's transfer and criticized Sonny Dykes' comments; praised for building national championship program”
Pivot Podcast · Apr 3, 2026
Special Pivot: Ryan, Channing and Fred get really personal opening up and answering your questions from life to sports to regrets to what ifs, everything is on the table and their responses may surprise you.
“Praised for building Indiana into powerhouse through talent identification and strategic NIL compensation”
KSR · Mar 9, 2026
2026-03-09- KSR - Hour 2
“Indiana head coach; referenced as example of rapid program turnaround and alignment”
PFT Live with Mike Florio · Feb 27, 2026
Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza, Ohio State WR Carnell Tate, Alabama QB Ty Simpson, and more join the show from Indy (2/27 Hour 2)
“Indiana head coach, recruited Fernando Mendoza for quarterback development program”
Mick Unplugged · Feb 16, 2026
Beyond the Game: Mental Health, Pressure, and Purpose with Jay Paterno
“Indiana football coach cited as example of leader unafraid to tell players truth and receiving positive player response”
Pardon My Take · Feb 16, 2026
Jameis Winston, The Boys Are Back In Studio, Kevin Durant's Alleged Burners, NBA All Star Game, Olympics And Vacation Recap
“Indiana football coach building successful program with strong team culture and player development”
Throwbacks with Matt Leinart & Jerry Ferrara · Feb 8, 2026
Throwbacks LIVE: Matt and Annie are joined by Urban Meyer and Mark Ingram II| from The Block
“Indiana head coach credited with historic program turnaround and Big Ten championship”
The Triple Option · Feb 8, 2026
The Triple Option LIVE: Urban & Mark are joined by Matt Leinart & Annie Agar | from The Block
“Indiana head coach; subject of discussion as architect of greatest coaching turnaround; recruited Mark Ingram at Alabama”
The Triple Option · Feb 4, 2026
Hoosier Head Coach Curt Cignetti Joins, Strategy in the Swamp, Non-Conference Schedule Debate
“Indiana head coach and national championship winner, primary guest discussing coaching philosophy and program building”
Unnecessary Roughness · Feb 3, 2026
THE OFFSEASON IS HERE, MIKE KATIC TALKS NEW ERA OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL, & IS ALABAMA A TOP 5 SEC JOB?
“Indiana head coach who guaranteed Big Ten championship and built championship culture through portal acquisitions”
The Adam Friedland Show · Jan 29, 2026
CHUCK KLOSTERMAN Talks Football, Violence, American Identity
“Indiana football coach credited with sophisticated NIL and transfer portal strategy elevating program”
The Ryen Russillo Show · Jan 29, 2026
Giannis Trade Teams & Deadline Buyers/Sellers w/ Bobby Marks, Plus Unpacking CFB Portal Drama w/ Bruce Feldman
“Indiana football head coach whose first-season national championship is analyzed for coaching philosophy and player evaluation”
Tranquilo Sports Talk · Jan 23, 2026
Cam Wolfe of NFL Network Joins the Show | Playoffs | Coaching Carousel & More | Guys Being Dudes #2
“Indiana football coach who won national championship, unlikely to leave for NFL”
The Tony Kornheiser Show · Jan 23, 2026
“Winter’s Coming”
“Indiana University football coach who achieved rapid turnaround at historically struggling program”
The Triple Option · Jan 21, 2026
Indiana Hoosiers On Top of the College Football World, Mark Makes the HOF, & 2026 Predictions
“Indiana head coach who led Hoosiers to 16-0 national championship; praised for team maximization and staff building”
The Ryen Russillo Show · Jan 20, 2026
Indiana Are Champs! How Cignetti Did It and Can It Be Replicated w/ David Pollack
“Indiana head coach who built undefeated national championship team from 72nd-ranked talent roster”
Up First from NPR · Jan 20, 2026
Trump's World Stage, El Paso Detention Deaths, Indiana College Football Champions
“Transformed Indiana football from three-win season to undefeated national champions in two years”
The Joel Klatt Show: A College Football Podcast · Jan 20, 2026
Indiana (!!!) wins the National Championship as Curt Cignetti finishes historic turnaround
“Indiana head coach who orchestrated historic turnaround from losingest program to national champions in two years”
Right to the Point · Jan 16, 2026
#29 - Making the American Dream Affordable Again Takes a Second Reconciliation Bill
“Indiana football coach credited with building winning culture with low-star players as metaphor for teamwork”
PTI · Jan 16, 2026
Can John Harbaugh get the Giants back in the NFC race?
“Indiana football coach building complete team culture that's outperforming star-laden Miami roster”
The Tony Kornheiser Show · Jan 14, 2026
“Take that Rome!”
“Indiana University football coach leading undefeated team to national championship game”
The Tony Kornheiser Show · Jan 12, 2026
“So Far”
“Indiana football coach who transformed the program from 144 years of losing to championship contention using process-driven coaching and accountability.”
PTI · Jan 9, 2026
Miami TRIUMPHS Over Ole Miss + Who's Better: the Seahawks or the Broncos?
“Indiana head coach leading underdog team with 25-2 record and minimal blue-chip recruits to national prominence”
The Tony Kornheiser Show · Jan 9, 2026
“Snakedraft”
“Indiana football head coach; orchestrating potential championship run as non-traditional powerhouse”
The Right Time with Bomani Jones · Jan 9, 2026
Domonique Foxworth on Harbaugh's next move, Mike McDaniel fired, NFL playoffs begin | 01.09
“Discussed as potentially best college coach; 25-2 record and national title contention analyzed”
PTI · Jan 8, 2026
CFP Preview + NFL HC Carousel
“Indiana head coach with master motivator reputation and winning culture emphasis”
The Ryen Russillo Show · Jan 7, 2026
Ravens Fire Harbaugh, CFB Portal Madness w/ Max Olson, Plus Hoops w/ Robbie Hummel
“Indiana football coach achieving playoff success through elite transfer portal evaluation and roster building”
The Right Time with Bomani Jones · Jan 7, 2026
Steven Godfrey on Transfer Portal Problems, Lane Kiffin LSU-Ole Miss Madness, Nick Saban Concerns | 01.07
“Recruited James Madison talent to Indiana; Godfrey predicts potential national championship contender”
The Right Time with Bomani Jones · Jan 5, 2026
Steelers beat Ravens, Kevin Stefanksi & Raheem Morris Fired, Transfer Portal Madness | 01.05
“Indiana coach building successful program using older players and portal recruiting strategy”
The Bill Simmons Podcast · Jan 2, 2026
Maye Vs. Stafford, Week 18 Picks & the 21 Best 21st Century Sports Movies With Peter Schrager, Joe House, and Sean Fennessey
“Indiana football coach who transformed program in two years, potential NFL head coaching candidate”
The Tony Kornheiser Show · Dec 31, 2025
“You’re the matchbook guy”
“Indiana football coach; praised for running program like 'Nick Saban-Lite' with undefeated team”