@gros-louis Oh I don't think a Cignetti led IU team would likely ever drop back to where IU has spent most of its football history. He'll win no matter where he is. I'm just referring to all this CFP, B10 champ contending, Natty contending levels of play.
He's never won a natty at any of his previous jobs, for what its worth. So what he's doing at IU, might be the most success he's ever had, relative to the competition level. I believe he's only had one team that played in a Natty game in his career. Taking IU to back to back CFPs, with the big boys, if he does... is historic levels of success, even for him.
What does IU's fanbase do if he "settles in" next year or at some point, as a 9-10 win team every year? And does he think he has a better chance at not dropping back to that, if he goes somewhere like PSU?
Half of the JMU players who followed him to IU have already left. His best team at JMU was his last one. The recruiting should continue to improve. The 2026 class is borderline top 25 and top portal prospects will likely be very interested in coming to IU.
looks like it was 1973, but figures it would have to be Indiana. That was long before my time. Did Pont leave IU voluntarily or was he fired? In looking at his record at IU via Wikipedia outside of the 67 season his tenure was not very good.@olympian97 AI says John Pont Indiana to NW in 1963. There is some bar trivia for ya.
We fired Pont to get Corso.
@iugradman I believe he took one of his other JMU teams to the FCS natty game, before they transitioned up to Sun Belt/FBS. But his last JMU team probably was his best team before coming to IU, yes. Not an apples to apples comparison though, as I'm sure moving to the Sun Belt and FBS, allowed him to get higher caliber players... just like coming to IU has.
Here’s a little trivia. When was the last time a head coach switched schools within the B1G in football? I honestly cannot recall that happening in recent memory. I know there have been coordinator hires (Greg Schiano, Chris Ashe, etc.), but can’t remember a head coach switching schools within conference. Bielma had a stop in between at Arkansas. So, I’m not counting him. Someone mentioned PSU was also interested in the DC at USC. I think they should hire that guy or Bill O’Brien again. Keep Cigs name out their mouth. 😂
Alex Agase NW to Purdue.
Penn State is a great job, but I don't believe it's a top job. They've won 2 nattys in their history, but have gone 40 years since winning their last. Since then there have been 10 different schools that have won 2 or more nattys. And counting prior there are several more that have won multiples.
I think they may want their hire to hit the ground running as early as possible when the season ends. And while the portal window changes for the upcoming season, it's still something to consider. If they chase hot names Cig will be on the list for sure, but there will be several more whose availability will be sooner than him, provided IU makes the CFP. If they put an emphasis on former ties/relationships, Matt Rhule probably tops the list. I was watching a podcast that mentioned they wouldn't be surprised if PSU went with a hot coordinator from a top team (like a Brian Hartline from OSU).
A good friend will bail you out of jail, but your best friend will be sitting next to you in the cell saying "that was f***ing awesome"
I’m surprised not one reporter brought this up to Cig. I’m not sure if they have some kind of agreement not to discuss these topics in press conferences, but it was disappointing to not have the subject broached after watching a two minute clip of Matt Rhule responding to the question. If Rhule can answer the question with stronger ties than Cig that shouldn’t be an off limits question at IU.
Here’s a little trivia. When was the last time a head coach switched schools within the B1G in football? I honestly cannot recall that happening in recent memory. I know there have been coordinator hires (Greg Schiano, Chris Ashe, etc.), but can’t remember a head coach switching schools within conference. Bielma had a stop in between at Arkansas. So, I’m not counting him. Someone mentioned PSU was also interested in the DC at USC. I think they should hire that guy or Bill O’Brien again. Keep Cigs name out their mouth. 😂
While not the same thing, we did have Chip Kelly leave UCLA to become the offensive coordinator, and he wasn't fired from UCLA.
At some point, whether it’s now to PSU or somewhere else, Cig is gone. Just imagine what he could do at a blueblood program with top notch resources (including his own bottom line). He could take that team to the playoffs EVERY YEAR.
At some point, whether it’s now to PSU or somewhere else, Cig is gone. Just imagine what he could do at a blueblood program with top notch resources (including his own bottom line). He could take that team to the playoffs EVERY YEAR.
This board could really use an ignore feature.
At some point, whether it’s now to PSU or somewhere else, Cig is gone. Just imagine what he could do at a blueblood program with top notch resources (including his own bottom line). He could take that team to the playoffs EVERY YEAR.
You've been a dumbass on these boards for probably 20 years. Why stop now, right?
At some point, whether it’s now to PSU or somewhere else, Cig is gone.
At some point, every coach is gone. Sometimes they are happy where they are, building their way, and don't leave for the perceived greener grass on the other side of the fence and can find the validation they seek where they are. Timing is everything for sure but the landscape has changed in how teams and programs are built. Maybe now that CCC has found a job at a school in the preeminent P4 football conference and seemingly has an athletic department that both gives him free reign and is willing to put some ass behind their support, he reckons he can build it here?
A good friend will bail you out of jail, but your best friend will be sitting next to you in the cell saying "that was f***ing awesome"
At some point, whether it’s now to PSU or somewhere else, Cig is gone. Just imagine what he could do at a blueblood program with top notch resources (including his own bottom line). He could take that team to the playoffs EVERY YEAR.
Well, he's taking THIS team to the playoffs EVERY YEAR, so there's that.
At some point, whether it’s now to PSU or somewhere else, Cig is gone. Just imagine what he could do at a blueblood program with top notch resources (including his own bottom line). He could take that team to the playoffs EVERY YEAR.
You've been a dumbass on these boards for probably 20 years. Why stop now, right?
Bayern is okay, he's just having a bad feeling....
It’s just a defense mechanism to say losing Cig is inevitable. If you prepare yourself for the disappointment then worse case you are pleasantly surprised if you’re wrong. I won’t hate on anyone for expressing how they cope with that fear. I’m trying to take the more optimistic approach and believe in the idea that times have changed and great coaches like Cig no longer feel a need to leave a job unfinished to go to a program with better tradition. IU may not seat 100k+, but we have the largest alumni base and resources to meet his every request. I choose to believe Cig will retire a Hoosier and if I’m wrong I will be sad, but for now I choose to believe he will stay.
In the event he does decide to go I hope we make Haines our coach. I just like him as a coach and think he is an elite football mind like Cig. The only downside is he doesn’t mark all the check boxes of what Dolson was looking for when he found Cig being a defensive coach and I don’t see he has ever been a recruiting coordinator. So, in that regard it seems unlikely, but that would be my ideal backup plan.