After delivering one of the most remarkable first seasons in Indiana football history — an 11–2 campaign in 2024 — Curt Cignetti is somehow doing it again, and on an even grander scale. In just his second year at the helm, the Hoosiers have burst out to a 6–0 start for the second straight year, knocking off two Top 10 teams in the process. Their Week 4 statement win over No. 9 Illinois turned heads, but it was the road upset over reigning Big Ten champion and No. 3 Oregon that officially silenced the doubters.
Cignetti’s turnaround of Indiana football borders on miraculous. When he arrived, the Hoosiers were synonymous with losing — the first program in college football history to hit 700 losses after a defeat to Maryland on October 15, 2022. Fast forward a few years, and that same program is now one of the most feared teams in the Big Ten. Cignetti has compiled a staggering 17–2 record in Bloomington, with his only losses coming against the two national title contenders from 2024.
It’s clear Cignetti’s words weren’t just talk when he said he needed “more dogs” on this roster. He found them — and unleashed them. The Hoosier defensive front has been relentless, terrorizing opposing offenses each week. Before facing Indiana, Oregon had surrendered only one sack and one interception all season. Against the Hoosiers? Six sacks. Two picks. And a whole lot of chaos.
“I think it’s all about people and plan and then the things I just talked about, putting the work in,” Cignetti said during Monday’s press conference. “We got good players up front. We got really good coaches that coach them, Pat Kuntz and Buddha Williams. Of course, Bryant (Haines) oversees the defense, does a tremendous job. And we’ve definitely made progress up front, there’s no doubt about it.”
From top to bottom, Indiana football has taken massive strides as a program. The Hoosiers didn’t just find their guy in Curt Cignetti — they’ve invested in him, surrounding him with the resources and staff needed to keep this rise sustainable. One of the smartest moves came last December when Indiana extended defensive coordinator Bryant Haines. Under his direction, the Hoosier defense has been relentless, dictating games and setting the tone up front.
That defensive line, in particular, has become a showcase of player development. A pair of second-year Hoosiers — Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino — have emerged as prime examples of what Cignetti’s program can build.
“Tucker and Landino from [what] I’ve seen, those guys really come on the last three weeks,” Cignetti said. “Landino, you know, we’ve always been very high on him. He’s had some nagging injuries that have kept him off the field in his early days, missed his first spring, my first spring here. I see him developing into the player we knew he could be. He’s got an unlimited ceiling moving forward.”
That ceiling is already showing. Tucker, a transfer who joined the program last season, has taken a massive leap, nearly doubling his production from a year ago. His three sacks rank third on the team, right behind Landino, who’s been a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks with four. Both names may still fly under the national radar, but inside Memorial Stadium, they’re the embodiment of Cignetti’s player-first philosophy — one built on steady growth, not shortcuts.
Another under-the-radar standout is linebacker Isaiah Jones, who has become a key figure in Indiana’s defensive surge.
“Everyone is just so proud of Isaiah Jones,” the Hoosiers’ head coach said. “He’s a great teammate. He’s a great leader. He represents everything that we talk about, what it takes to be the best you can be. He was on the team the year before I was hired, but when he showed up, he had a back injury and required surgery, wasn’t able to do very much. And I think it’s just a case of a guy staying healthy. Their work with Derek (Owings) in the winter and then the summer builds on the winter and then you put two years together, two years in the same scheme. Now you can play faster, react because you recognize. He is really playing well. I am so happy for him, and he has been a huge play maker for us.”
Isaiah Jones has been one of Indiana’s breakout stars this season — the embodiment of what Curt Cignetti preaches. Whether it’s players he brought in or those who were already in Bloomington before his arrival, Cignetti has elevated every Hoosier who’s bought into his vision. Jones leads the team in sacks (4.5) and has piled up 32 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and a game-sealing interception in the upset win over Oregon. His evolution is a testament to Indiana’s new culture — one built on player development and relentless work.
That development has been contagious across the roster. Edge rushers Kellan Wyatt and Stephen Daley both arrived after spring ball, losing valuable reps in the process. Yet both immediately found their footing in Cignetti’s system. Wyatt has quickly become a cornerstone off the edge, bringing speed and physicality to the pass rush. Daley, who transferred from Kent State after three seasons, came in needing conditioning — but Cignetti saw something special. “He’s a freak athlete,” the head coach said with a grin. Now, Daley is proving exactly that, carving out a role for himself in this star studded D-line.
The rate of growth across this roster has been staggering. In just two seasons, Cignetti has transformed a once-struggling program into a disciplined, confident, and fearless contender. Saturday’s win over Oregon wasn’t just another upset — it was a defining moment, a signal that Indiana football can sustain success at the highest level if it keeps investing in this foundation.
And while the Hoosiers celebrated a signature victory, Cignetti’s eyes were already on what comes next.
“I think the key now is our response coming off of this game,” Cignetti emphasized. “But that’s always the key, right? This team has met every challenge up to this point, because they’ve been hungry and humble, prepared properly and put it on the field, which requires commitment, discipline, sacrifice, you know, eliminating the noise and clutter, controlling the controllables, and putting themselves in the best position for success, because when you prepare properly, it breeds confidence and brings out your best.”
Under Curt Cignetti, Indiana has finally found its identity — a team built on grit, belief, and relentless effort. It’s a roster full of players who were once overlooked, now playing with an undeniable edge and a collective chip on their shoulder. They don’t flinch, they don’t quit, and they don’t stop until the final whistle sounds.
Cignetti’s impact has been nothing short of transformative. The buzz surrounding Indiana football grows louder each week as recruits, fans, and opponents alike take notice of the movement unfolding in Bloomington. But inside the locker room, the focus remains steady. The Hoosiers have no interest in looking too far ahead — not when the Old Brass Spittoon and a Homecoming showdown with Michigan State are waiting on deck.