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Curt Cignetti was nothing short of incredible in his first season as the Indiana Hoosiers head football coach. Cignetti led the Hoosiers to a record-setting 10-win season, a shocking spot in the College Football Playoff, and generally put IU’s program on the map for the first time…ever?
But when push came to shove, Cignetti’s Hoosiers looked outclassed. They got pushed around in a 38-15 loss to Ohio State. And against Notre Dame in the opening round of the playoffs on Friday, Indiana never found its footing en route to a 27-17 loss that was never really that close.
After the final whistle, Cignetti caught heat for the conservative nature with which he called the game.
“If anyone deserved a nice slice of Humble pie it was Cignetti. There’s a difference in sticking up and promoting your team compared to just being a pompous a–hole,” one fan wrote.
“Remember when Curt Cignetti said his team kicks the s– out of Top 25 teams and then coached scared once the game actually started,” wrote another.
The chickens came home to roost for Cignetti, and he should’ve seen it coming. See, Cignetti spent four years at Alabama as the wide receiver coach under Nick Saban from 2007-2010. He learned a lot from Saban during his time in Tuscaloosa. One thing he didn’t learn, however, is modesty. And Saban made sure to remind him on Friday’s episode of ESPN College GameDay.
Nick Saban to Curt Cignetti: “One thing you didn’t learn from me is talking all that shit you talk” pic.twitter.com/QcxVvcRWJo
— CJ Fogler 🫡 (@cjzero) December 21, 2024
“One thing you didn’t learn from me is talking all that s— you talk,” Saban told Cignetti.
Sure, Cignetti’s bravado undeniably instills confidence in his players. There is something to be gained there. But it also comes back around to make you look like a bozo when you can’t get the job done. Cignetti couldn’t get the job done against Notre Dame and now here he is, looking like a bozo.