CHICAGO — Curt Cignetti’s paycheck and resume have grown considerably since January, however what hasn’t modified for Indiana’s nationwide championship soccer coach is his candor and character.
The one jewellery Cignetti wore at Massive Ten media days Thursday was his marriage ceremony ring. He donned a crimson tie, spoke on to reporters on a facet stage for greater than half-hour and delivered zingers with almost each query. Nothing was deliberate or written out; the whole lot was direct, and retorts had been delivered with comedic timing and swagger.
“I simply turned 65. I’m geriatric,” Cignetti quipped. “I understand how momentary that is, and you can be a hero one week and swiftly you lose a sport, individuals hate you, and we’ve been fortunate.”
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No entity was protected from the coach who turned school soccer the wrong way up by turning the game’s losingest program right into a 16-0 nationwide champion. On the principle dais, the SEC turned an oblique goal along with his ultimate salvo. At SEC media days final week, a lot of the narrative centered on the league’s transfer to 9 convention video games and the way tough the schedule will change into. There have been additionally claims that the SEC is deeper than the Massive Ten.
Nonetheless, the Massive Ten has received three consecutive Faculty Soccer Playoff championships with six applications qualifying for a nationwide semifinal over that span. Cignetti, whose Hoosiers beat Alabama 38-3 within the Rose Bowl, aimed and fired away.
“We don’t run a hype machine up right here within the Midwest,” Cignetti stated. “We consider the whole lot’s earned, not given. And once we fall brief, we are saying we fell brief. We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. And that’s why we’re the most effective.”
Later, at a facet podium, Cignetti stated: “For the reason that NIL period has kicked in, the numbers communicate for themselves.”
A few of his feedback could possibly be construed as conceit, however they’re laced with details. Cignetti referred to Ohio State as “Goliath,” the Biblical warrior slain by David. Cignetti meant the remark with “respect,” that the Buckeyes had been a powerhouse program. He was then requested whether or not Indiana had joined that membership.
“I imply, we’re the nationwide champs of 2025 and 27-2 the final two years, longest house profitable streak in school soccer, longest profitable streak in school soccer,” Cignetti stated. “You guys write these tales. I do know Michigan’s been round a very long time. So has Ohio State and Southern Cal, Penn State, and there’s others.
“We began out 10-0, didn’t path till the tenth sport of the 12 months, ninth, no matter it was, after which we took the mandatory steps in 12 months 2 that we couldn’t take 12 months 1. … We’re off to a reasonably good begin.”
On whether or not he needs a conventional passer or a dual-threat quarterback, Cignetti stated, “We don’t have an enormous offensive ego. We don’t have to steer the nation or the convention in scoring, despite the fact that we led the convention in scoring nearly yearly since ’19.”
Cignetti’s mannerisms have been copied by followers and changed into memes on social media, significantly his facial expressions. By way of his success, he has change into probably the most recognizable faces within the sport. It doesn’t matter if he’s pushing a cart in a Bloomington division retailer or sitting on a Caribbean seashore.
“I’m slightly stunned by that, truthfully,” Cignetti stated. “It doesn’t matter the place, whether or not it’s St. Bart’s or wherever. … I’m all the time like slightly bowled over. Wow! You’ve acquired to be kidding me. So it’s good, however I additionally know that if we don’t maintain up our finish of the discount, I’ll be hanging in effigy subsequent.”
Cignetti’s meticulous recruiting fashion leverages high-character performers who work collectively for crew success. Cignetti doesn’t tolerate those that don’t conform.
“We don’t have unhealthy apples,” he stated. “Coach Cignetti takes care of the unhealthy apples. Once they begin getting slightly tender on one facet, they get checked out actual shut. Then once they’ve rotted some extra a short time later, they’re out of right here.
“If a man walks in my workplace, he may need numerous expertise, be a extremely good participant, and that transcript doesn’t look actual good,” he added, “and I get a vibe that this man’s actual egocentric, can’t see previous his nostril? He higher be the most effective extensive receiver within the historical past of soccer, after which I’m nonetheless going to consider it.”
Then there have been the one-liners.
When requested about bringing in a pair of switch portal defenders who had been described as “two monsters,” Cignetti stated, “I’d wish to see them be monsters, that’s what I’d wish to see.”
At Cignetti’s information convention broadcast on the Massive Ten Community, a pseudo-reporter displayed a brand he wished Indiana to undertake. “Is it going to make us higher?” Cignetti requested. “We’re not .”
When requested how he deliberate to maintain his crew from feeling glad after the nationwide title, Cignetti stated, “I’ll be stalking complacency.”
There have been extra quips, extra jabs, extra laughs. Cignetti has turned the soccer world on its ear, and it’s open to each phrase. He was the ultimate coach to take the principle stage at Massive Ten media days and, like Santa Claus showing on the rear of a Thanksgiving Day parade, Cignetti’s walk-off signified that soccer season is on the way in which.
“I’ve been on trip lengthy sufficient,” he stated. “I’m bored with being bossed round by my spouse. I’m able to boss someone else round and develop a soccer crew.”
