A major coaching target around the college football landscape is now reportedly off the market. According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Indiana is finalizing a deal to make JMU head coach Curt Cignetti its next head coach.
Cignetti, 62, was recently named the Sun Belt Coach of the Year after guiding the Dukes to an 11-1 regular season, had generated interest in multiple Power Five coaching searches.
In five seasons at JMU, making the jump from the FCS to the FBS before the 2022 season, the Dukes have gone 52-9 — including 19-4 at the FBS level. Despite the success, due to NCAA rules, the Dukes were not eligible for their conference title or postseason play in the last two seasons. But there will be a bowl appearance this season.
The Pittsburgh native attended West Virginia in the late 1970s and early 80s, playing quarterback while his father Frank Cignetti Sr. was the head coach. He started his coaching career at Pitt in the 1983 season after his playing career came to an end.
Cignetti spent the majority of the 1990s as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach at Pitt before going on to serve as an assistant at North Carolina State and Alabama in the 2000s.
He was hired as the head coach at Indiana (Pa.) in 2011, which is where both his father Frank Sr. and brother Frank Jr. — yes, that Frank Jr. — spent time during their careers, and he spent two seasons at Elon before taking the JMU job in 2019.
Cignetti’s staff at JMU also features a couple of former Pitt Panthers, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri. It remains to be seen if those two will follow Cignetti to Bloomington, Ind. But Shanahan — who is drawing interest for the opening Pitt offensive coordinator position — has been with Cignetti since 2016.
Indiana fired previous head coach Tom Allen earlier this month after a 3-9 season, enacting a $15.5 million buyout. Allen finished his tenure at Indiana with a 33-49 (18-43 Big Ten) record over eight seasons.
Dod anyone really think he would take the job his brother just lost?
It is evident that Pitt got stuck with the wrong Cignetti the last 2 years.
I guess so but unless he hates his brother I don’t think there was a chance he was coming here.
No quality candidates for Offensive Coordinator would ever consider the Pitt job. Narduzzi is not a highly respected Coach. Maybe a MAC assistant coach might be interested. Unless you have complete control of your assistants, to take the job. Horrible Offensive Line Coach, Wide Receiver Coach and horrible recruiters. Stunned Partridge is still there.
I’m with you, I have been amazed how Borbely gets a free pass. Must be the nicest guy on the planet.
I’m convinced Narduzzi believed he hired Curt, but when Frank showed up he had to honor his misplaced phone call and signed contract.