Head coach Curt Cignetti’s exact updated contract terms with Indiana football were released Monday, according to the Memorandum of Understanding obtained by the Indiana Daily Student.
Cignetti’s deal is worth $105.6 million across eight years, averaging $13.2 million annually. The 64-year-old's contract is the richest among coaches at public universities, checking in just above the University of Georgia’s Kirby Smart and Louisiana State University’s Lane Kiffin — both make $13 million annually.
Cignetti’s base salary sits at $500,000 annually, while he will earn a $1 million retention bonus each Nov. 30.
Here’s the full breakdown of Cignetti’s total earnings per year before incentives:
- Year 1: Jan. 1, 2026 – Nov. 30, 2026: $13,025,000
- Year 2: Dec. 1, 2026 - Nov. 30, 2027: $13,075,000
- Year 3: Dec. 1, 2027 – Nov. 30, 2028: $13,125,000
- Year 4: Dec. 1, 2028 – Nov. 30, 2029: $13,175,000
- Year 5: Dec. 1, 2029 - Nov.30, 2030: $13,225,000
- Year 6: Dec. 1, 2030 - Nov. 30, 2031: $13,275,000
- Year 7: Dec. 1, 2031 - Nov. 30, 2032: $13,325,000
- Year 8: Dec.1, 2032 - Nov. 30, 2033: $13,375,000
News of Cignetti’s new deal broke Feb. 20 — after his contract underwent its “good faith review” because the Hoosiers reached the College Football Playoff Semifinals — but he signed the MOU on Feb. 4.
All terms of a buyout, bonuses and clauses remain the same from the contract Cignetti agreed to in mid-October 2025.
Cignetti and his staff made 17 transfer portal acquisitions, retooling crucial positions such as quarterback, receiver and defensive line. The Hoosiers are in the midst of winter workouts ahead of spring practice, which begins in late March.
Follow reporters Dalton James (@DaltonMJames and jamesdm@iu.edu) and Conor Banks (@Conorbanks06 and conbanks@iu.edu) for updates throughout the Indiana football offseason.
