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Curt Cignetti at War With Complacency as Indiana Hoosiers Chase First Big Ten Title Since 1967

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Meyer | Last updated Oct 19, 2025 11:43 AM ET

Key Points:

Curt Cignetti is at war with complacency
The Hoosiers passed his test with flying colors
Surging UCLA is next in Bloomington

The Indiana Hoosiers avoided a hangover against the Michigan State Spartans on Saturday with a 38-13 win at Memorial Stadium that started off a bit slow and evolved into a blowout.

The Curt Cignetti led Hoosiers outgained the Spartans 464 to 367 on the day and made the big plays when they mattered most en route to their seventh win of the season.

Still undefeated, the Hoosiers have a strong chance to find themselves in Indianapolis for the 2025 Big Ten Championship Game, especially if they win out.

Indiana coach Curt Cignetti knows that complacency can be a person's biggest hinderance, which is why he decided to speak his mind about his unique methods for motivating the Hoosiers recently.

Indiana Head Coach Curt Cignetti talks with Kellan Wyatt (13) after his apparent injury during the Indiana versus Michigan State football game at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Cignetti's 'No More Mr. Nice Guy' Quote Turns Heads

Cignetti shared his thoughts on the Hoosiers' recovery from their monstrous upset win over Oregon in a press conference on Saturday.

The Hoosiers are chasing their first Big Ten title since 1967 when John Pont led the team to a 6-1 conference record and shared championship.

He said flatly that being a nice guy doesn't fly in his line of work while sharing a Mike Krzyzewski quote illustrating his mindset on motivating his team.

"Look you can't be a real nice guy when you have a job like mine," Cignetti said.

The Krzyzewksi quote spoke to the same part of the Hoosiers' psyche.

"(What'd) Mike Krzyzewkski say? When he retired. He said, toughest opponent I've ever faced is human nature, our human nature."

Cignetti's quotes painted the picture of a coach vehemently opposed to comfort for a program still chasing a spot in what would be its second consecutive College Football Playoff.

"Look you can't be a real nice guy when you have a job like mine."

Cignetti on keeping Indiana focused on the week ahead after a big win. pic.twitter.com/6LC7zBQ1Zg
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 19, 2025

Streaking Bruins Next Up for Cignetti's Hoosiers

Cignetti's Hoosiers have what suddenly appears to be a tough game on the schedule Saturday with the UCLA Bruins headed to Bloomington.

UCLA has won three consecutive games after starting the season 0-4 and finds itself in the upper echelon of the Big Ten standings.

The Hoosiers have the talent to beat everyone on their schedule but now a new challenge has begun. Cignetti's team has a huge target on its back along with its number three national ranking with some pundits calling for the Hoosiers to be ranked number one.

Complacency is a killer, and few coaches know that better than the Hoosiers' boss, whose track record in finding and rooting it out before it becomes too problematic speaks for itself.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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