Will Curt Cignetti Ever Coach in the NFL? Indiana HC Addresses His Future
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Curt Cignetti has quickly become one of college football’s most talked-about coaches, transforming the Indiana Hoosiers into a powerhouse with historic success, including a perfect season and a national championship run. Such a meteoric rise has naturally sparked rumors linking him to NFL head coaching vacancies, especially amid a league-wide coaching carousel in 2026.
But when asked about his future, Cignetti made one thing clear: he sees his future in college football, not the NFL.
From Indiana Turnaround to NFL Rumors
In just two seasons at Indiana, Curt Cignetti engineered one of the most stunning transformations in modern college football history, leading the Hoosiers from perennial underdogs to a College Football Playoff National Championship contender and achiever. That success has naturally drawn attention from the NFL, where multiple teams are searching for new head coaches amid widespread turnover. Given Cignetti’s rapid ascent and innovative leadership, speculation about a future NFL move was almost inevitable.
What Curt Cignetti Has Said About the NFL
When asked directly about taking an NFL job, Cignetti was unequivocal:
“I’m not an NFL guy. I made that decision a long time ago. I’ve always been a college football guy.”
Cignetti explained that early in his career, back in 2000, he had the opportunity to work with the Green Bay Packers as an assistant under coach Mike Sherman, which could have launched a pro career. Instead, he chose to stay in college coaching.
Indiana’s Curt Cignetti asked if he would consider NFL job: “I’m not an NFL guy. I made that decision a long time ago. I’ve always been a college football guy”
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) January 17, 2026
Legacy and Achievements
Leading Indiana to a perfect season and a national championship game, achievements that once seemed impossible for the program, gives Cignetti a historic legacy in the collegiate ranks. His impact in his first two seasons has already made him one of the most respected figures in college football.
Conclusion
While NFL coaching rumors have swirled around Curt Cignetti due to his remarkable success at Indiana, the head coach himself has made it clear that he does not see his future in the pros.
