(Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

Paul Finebaum Reacts to Curt Cignetti News on Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Grant Bricker | Last updated Oct 16, 2025 7:09 PM ET

There was a major firing in the college football world that took place on Sunday, as Penn State head coach James Franklin was let go after a 22-21 home loss to Northwestern.

Franklin had been with the program since 2014 and took the team to the College Football Playoff last season, losing in the semifinal to Notre Dame 27-24.

One of the top candidates to replace Franklin at Penn State was Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti. That was until some massive news broke on Thursday.

Cignetti and No. 3 Indiana agreed to an eight-year deal with an annual salary of $11.6 million, which is the third-highest college head coach salary in the country in 2025.

Paul Finebaum reacted to the news, calling it an amazing story on a recent episode of "The Paul Finebaum Show."

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti. Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

"That's the third-highest salary nationally this year," Finebaum said. "Truly remarkable when you think about it. Until Saturday, people were really not sure about what the Indiana program was all about, but you beat Oregon on the road, and looks like you're going back to the playoffs ... This is just an amazing story when you think about it in context. Curt Cignetti staying at Indiana. So, take his name off of everybody else's list."

Cignetti took the college football world by storm last season, leading Indiana to its first-ever CFP appearance. Indiana lost to Notre Dame in the first round, 27-17, to finish the season at 11-2.

The Hoosiers are once again crushing their schedule, and recently became the second Big Ten team to beat Oregon at Autzen Stadium. The Hoosiers won 30-20 over then-ranked No. 6 Oregon on Saturday.

The last Big Ten team to win there was Indiana, ironically, in 2004.

Indiana takes on Michigan State Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on Peacock.

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

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