Ohio State football’s top threat in the Big Ten this season—and likely their biggest in the years ahead—just made a major move to secure their future. On Thursday, the Indiana Hoosiers announced they’ve signed head coach Curt Cignetti to a striking eight-year contract extension, ensuring he stays in Bloomington for the long haul.
According to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, if the Hoosiers fire Cignetti without cause during his new deal, his $93.25 million is fully guaranteed. Cignetti will earn $11.6 million on average with the contract running through Nov. 30, 2033. His buyout is up to $15 million, per On3’s Pete Nakos.
This is a massive moment for Curt Cignetti, who’s fresh off a statement win over the Oregon Ducks last week. With Penn State parting ways with James Franklin, Cignetti quickly emerged as one of the top candidates to take over in Happy Valley. Nearly every college football analyst had him linked to the Nittany Lions. But now, Indiana fans can breathe a sigh of relief as Cignetti is staying put, locked in for eight more years.
With this extension, Cignetti now ranks among the top five highest-paid coaches in college football, joining the likes of Ohio State’s Ryan Day, Georgia’s Kirby Smart, and USC’s Lincoln Riley.
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