MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — While some college football aficionados might view No. 1 Indiana’s unprecedented journey to the College Football Playoff National Championship as a Cinderella story, university president Pamela Whitten stated that this was the very outcome for which coach Curt Cignetti was brought on board.
On the eve of the championship game against No. 10 Miami at Hard Rock Stadium, Whitten emphasized, “It was just an assumption that we were going to go to the national championship. That was the goal. So it’s funny now when people say, ‘Oh, aren’t you so surprised and shocked that Indiana’s in the national championship?’ No, this was the goal.”
Cignetti took charge of a program burdened by a history of defeats—specifically, the most losses in major college football history. Under his leadership, the Hoosiers not only achieved their first two 10-win seasons but are also poised to contend for their inaugural national title. Over the last two years, Indiana has posted an impressive 26-2 record, a marked contrast to the 9-27 record from the three previous seasons before Cignetti was appointed in 2023.
“We’re here because we prepared the right way, and we have the right people on staff and in the locker room,” Cignetti said during the CFP media day. “We have tremendous support from our president and athletic director, and a fantastic fan base. We have a plan, strong leadership, good players, and we’ve been consistent across all phases of the game. The novelty of being here isn’t there—we’re here.”
Whitten, who has been at the helm since 2021, remarked that given football accounts for 75-80% of revenue in college sports, Indiana could no longer treat it “like an intramural sport.” She pledged to prioritize football, aiming for victories and national championships. Whitten noted that athletic director Scott Dolson was utterly excited, feeling “unleashed” by the program’s potential. The strategic implementation of the transfer portal and Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) agreements has propelled Indiana to its current ranking as the nation’s No. 1 team.
The rapid turnaround in just two years has emerged as one of the standout narratives of the sport. Cignetti acknowledged the incredible journey of the last two years, calling it “surreal.” However, he emphasized that the team’s focus remains solely on the task at hand—preparing for the championship game.
Indiana’s victory over Oregon in the semifinals marked its third triumph this season over an Associated Press top-five opponent, a stark turnaround considering the Hoosiers had previously managed only one win against top-five teams in 73 attempts prior to 2025. Should Indiana secure a win against Miami, Cignetti would make history as the first FBS head coach to claim a national title within his first two seasons at a school since Gene Chizik led Auburn to victory in 2010.
Whitten expressed confidence in the team’s potential, stating, “We really know we can win. All three of us walk into this with the belief that we’re going to win. There has never been any doubt in our minds—that’s the goal.” The enthusiasm surrounding the program reflects a renewed hope and determination that may inspire future generations of athletes at Indiana.