Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti quickly shot down any thoughts that he might leave the Hoosiers for a job in the professional ranks.
"I'm not an NFL guy. I made that decision a long time ago when I went with Chuck Amato to NC State in 2000," Cignetti said, according to USA Today's John Leuzzi. "I had a chance to go with the (Green Bay) Packers. I declined the opportunity. I almost took it. That's when I made the final decision, and I've always been more of a college football guy."
Cignetti's name has been floated as a potential NFL coaching candidate thanks to his run of success with the Hoosiers. Indiana's posted a 26-2 record since hiring him in 2024, reaching the playoffs in both years and winning the 2025 Big Ten title with a perfect regular season. Cignetti's team will play for a national championship on Monday against Miami.
The 64-year-old rose to prominence by leading James Madison to a 52-9 record over five seasons before joining the Hoosiers. Cignetti also gained head-coaching experience at Elon and Indiana University of Pennsylvania and served as an assistant under Nick Saban at Alabama from 2007-10.
Indiana rewarded the Pittsburgh native with an eight-year, $93-million extension in October, making him one of college football's highest-paid coaches.
