Curt Cignetti Lands $13.2 Million Deal Through 2033

Fresh off delivering a national championship, Curt Cignetti has finalized a revised contract that will pay him an average of $13.2 million annually through the 2033 season, a source confirmed to ESPN.

The length of the deal remains unchanged, but the salary jumps from $11.6 million per year after a “good market faith review” clause triggered when Indiana reached the College Football Playoff semifinal. That provision required the university to adjust Cignetti’s compensation to rank no lower than third among active head coaches.

A Rapid Rise at Indiana

Cignetti, 64, has engineered one of the most dramatic turnarounds in modern college football. Since arriving in late 2023, he has gone 27–2 at Indiana, capturing the program’s first national title and its first outright Big Ten championship since 1945.

The Hoosiers clinched their championship run with a Jan. 1 Rose Bowl victory over Alabama before finishing the job in the title game. After signing his previous extension in October, Cignetti made it clear he envisions finishing his career in Bloomington.

“I couldn’t be more proud to be a Hoosier,” he said at the time.

Joining the Sport’s Highest Earners

At $13.2 million annually, Cignetti now stands alongside Kirby Smart and Lane Kiffin as the only coaches earning at least $13 million per year. Indiana has now revised his contract three times in two seasons, underscoring the school’s aggressive commitment to keeping him in place.

The October agreement also raised his buyout to $15 million if he leaves for another job and guarantees full remaining salary if terminated without cause.

All-In on Sustained Success

Indiana has doubled down across the program. Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and defensive coordinator Bryant Haines — the latter fresh off winning the Broyles Award — both received multiyear deals as well.

Athletic director Scott Dolson previously described Cignetti as “Priority 1,” a sentiment reflected in the financial commitment. In an era defined by coaching movement and escalating salaries, Indiana has positioned itself firmly among the sport’s heavyweights — and made clear it plans to stay there.