Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has made history by being named the Walter Camp National Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season, marking him as the first coach to achieve this prestigious honor back-to-back. This recognition comes on the heels of an impressive season where the undefeated Hoosiers (13-0) claimed victory over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship, securing the top seed in the College Football Playoff.
Cignetti previously earned the Walter Camp award in 2024 during his inaugural year at Indiana, where he transformed a struggling program to an 11-1 record and a playoff appearance. The Hoosiers met Notre Dame in the first round of that playoff but fell short. This season, Cignetti’s leadership and coaching prowess shone through as Indiana dominated on the field, placing them among the elite of college football.
He stood out among stiff competition, outpacing notable coaches such as Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea for the honor. Cignetti is only the second coach from Indiana to receive this accolade; John Pont was the first, earning it in 1967 while leading the Hoosiers to the Rose Bowl.
In addition to Cignetti’s achievements, quarterback Fernando Mendoza is generating excitement as a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy, which will be awarded shortly. Mendoza’s stellar performance has contributed significantly to the Hoosiers’ success, further highlighting the momentum of Indiana football.
With the upcoming College Football Playoff, the Hoosiers are set to play the winner of the Oklahoma-Alabama quarterfinal in the Rose Bowl on January 1. The continued success of the program under Cignetti’s guidance not only inspires the team and its fans but also revitalizes the legacy of Indiana football, creating a hopeful outlook for the future.