Curt Cignetti is an American college football coach and the head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers. Cignetti has built a coaching career around recruiting, player development, discipline, and consistent winning.
His biggest achievement came in January 2026, when Indiana completed a perfect 16-0 season and won its first national championship. By September 20, 2026, Indiana had started another season 3-0, giving Cignetti a 30-2 record in his first 32 games as Indiana’s head coach.
| Net Worth: | $10 Million |
|---|---|
| Real Name: | Curt Cignetti |
| Birth Date: | June 2, 1961 |
| Age (as of 2026): | 65 Years |
| Birth Place: | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Height: | 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in) |
| Parents: | Frank Cignetti Sr. |
| Wife: |
Early Life
Curt Cignetti was born on 2nd June, 1961, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and he is 65 years old in 2026. His family later moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, when his father joined Bobby Bowden’s coaching staff at West Virginia University. Cignetti grew up surrounded by football and followed both West Virginia and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He attended Morgantown High School, where he played quarterback. Cignetti continued his playing career at West Virginia University from 1979 through 1982. He played quarterback and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1982. He also studied at Pittsburgh and completed graduate work in 1984.
Family
Football has been central to Cignetti’s family for generations. His father, Frank Cignetti Sr., became a respected college coach and later entered the College Football Hall of Fame. Frank Sr. coached at West Virginia and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Cignetti’s brother, Frank Jr., also built a long coaching career and later joined IUP’s football staff.
Career
Curt Cignetti began coaching as a graduate assistant at Pittsburgh in 1983. He later coached quarterbacks and receivers at Davidson, Rice, and Temple. He returned to Pittsburgh before joining NC State in 2000. His work there included recruiting coordination, quarterbacks, and tight ends.
In 2007, Cignetti joined Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. He served as recruiting coordinator and wide receivers coach through 2010. He was part of Alabama’s 2009 national championship team. That experience helped shape his approach to recruiting and program building.
Curt Cignetti became a head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2011. He recorded a 53-17 record during six seasons and won a Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship. He then coached Elon from 2017 to 2018 before taking over James Madison in 2019.
At James Madison, Cignetti continued his winning record and guided the Dukes through their transition into the FBS. He left after the 2023 season with a 52-9 record. Indiana hired him on November 30, 2023.
His first Indiana season produced an 11-2 record and the program’s first College Football Playoff appearance. Curt Cignetti won several major Coach of the Year awards. In 2025, Indiana went 16-0 and defeated Miami 27-21 in the national championship game on January 19, 2026.
Indiana entered the 2026 season as defending national champions. The Hoosiers defeated North Texas, Howard, and Western Kentucky during the opening three games. Following the 38-0 win over Western Kentucky on September 19, Indiana stood 3-0 and ranked No. 4 nationally.
Personal Life
Curt Cignetti married his wife, Manette Cignetti, formerly Manette Lawer, on 27th May, 1989. She grew up in Indiana, Pennsylvania, and studied pharmacy in Pittsburgh, where she met Cignetti. Manette worked as a licensed pharmacist while supporting her husband throughout his coaching career.
The couple has three children, Curtis Jr., Carly, and Natalie, and several grandchildren. Manette has largely maintained a private life but has occasionally spoken about Cignetti’s disciplined personality and demanding coaching lifestyle.
Social Media
Curt Cignetti maintains a public X account under the handle @CCignettiIU with more than 1,12,000 followers. His account focuses mainly on Indiana football, recruiting, team activities, and occasional personal or promotional posts.
Indiana’s official football accounts maintain active Instagram and Facebook profiles. However, no verified personal Instagram or Facebook account for Cignetti was identified through Indiana’s official football materials.
Curt Cignetti Net Worth, Salary & Contract
Curt Cignetti’s estimated net worth is around $10 million, but that figure is not independently verified. His current Indiana contract provides a much clearer picture of his earnings. In February 2026, Indiana completed a contract adjustment that raised his average annual compensation to approximately $13.2 million through 2033.
The eight-year agreement is valued at about $105.6 million before incentives. His contract includes a $500,000 annual base salary, additional outside marketing and promotional income, and retention bonuses. The agreement also contains significant buyout provisions if he leaves Indiana for another coaching position.
