Overview
- Indiana crushed Alabama 38–3 in the Rose Bowl to reach the College Football Playoff semifinal, underscoring Cignetti’s rapid turnaround of the program.
- The Rose Bowl result triggered a contract “good market faith review,” starting a 120-day window after the semifinal for Indiana to renegotiate his compensation.
- Reporting says failure to reach top-three coach pay would nullify his current $15 million buyout; Cignetti is on an eight-year deal worth $11.6 million annually and has earned over $1.8 million in bonuses this season.
- Media figures are touting Cignetti for NFL vacancies, but team sources question practicality given the buyout, required salary, his age and lack of NFL head-coaching experience.
- Roster building continues as Indiana secured TCU quarterback Josh Hoover as a potential Fernando Mendoza successor and, on Monday, added Kansas State edge rusher Chiddi Obiazor.