The Indiana Hoosiers are one of college football’s most surprising teams this year, entering the season’s final stretch at 10-0 with a chance to play for the Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff for the first time in school history.
First-year head coach Curt Cignetti has turned the program around, along with quarterback Kurtis Rourke, who has been one of the Big Ten’s best passers this season.
Indiana is on its bye this week as its showdown with the Ohio State Buckeyes looms large next weekend, but the Hoosiers remained busy despite being inactive.
On Saturday, the school agreed to an eight-year contract extension for Cignetti, which gave the coach a sizable raise. Cignetti’s deal will see the coach earn eight million dollars per year, plus a million-dollar retention bonus each year, as well.
“I am beyond appreciative for the tremendous commitment, confidence, and support from President Pam Whitten and Athletic Director Scott Dolson. Manette [his wife] and I love Bloomington and are grateful for how the IU community has embraced us. I look forward to leading this outstanding program and doing my part to continue the momentum for Hoosier football,” Cignetti said in a statement.
Cignetti’s previous contract, signed with Indiana over the offseason after the school poached him from James Madison, was for six years and $27 million.
The Hoosiers head to Columbus to face Ohio State on November 23.
