Cignetti — who began his head coaching career at Division II Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2011 — became the first head coach to win a national title in his first or second season with a team since Gene Chizik led Auburn to the championship in 2010.

The 2025 college football season came to a close on Monday night as the Indiana Hoosiers beat the Miami Hurricanes 27-21. This gave Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers the first football national championship in program history.

Finally Curt Cignetti cracked a smile after leading Indiana football to the first national title in program history.

The man who never smiles broke down in tears after bringing the Indiana Hoosiers their first-ever college football national title.

Curt Cignetti might not always show it, but the Indiana Hoosiers ' now-legendary football head coach has a great sense of humor. He broke it out during his press conference following IU's improbable 16-0 season and national title, which was completed Monday night in Miami against the Hurricanes.

Curt Cignetti gave a signature reaction to his Indiana Hoosiers’ punt block for a touchdown in the College Football Playoff national title game against Miami.

In his halftime interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe, Cignetti ripped the officials for missing what he termed three “obvious personal fouls.” All three came on late or unnecessary hits on Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza, he said, one of which left the Heisman Trophy winner with a bloodied lip.

Has Curt Cignetti always been like this? Players at his first stop as head coach, say yes. And they're not surprised by his Indiana success.