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Indiana Hoosiers Announce Cignetti as 2026 Head Coach

1/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Indiana names Curt Cignetti as head coach for the 2026 season, with Josh Hoover, a TCU transfer, replacing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
Hoover's addition marks a leadership change for Indiana's offense after Mendoza's departure.
The roster will lose several key players while gaining a strong transfer class, including Turbo Richard and Nick Marsh.
Early rankings place the Hoosiers among the top Big Ten contenders for the 2026 season.

History

Historical Context

Indiana University football has a storied history, highlighted by its 1976 Big Ten Championship under coach Lee Corso, where the Hoosiers finished 9-2. Despite struggles in subsequent decades, including a record of 715 losses by 2025, the hiring of Curt Cignetti in 2024 aims to revitalize the program, potentially leading to renewed success in the competitive Big Ten landscape.

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Story summary

Indiana names Curt Cignetti as head coach for the 2026 season, with Josh Hoover, a TCU transfer, replacing Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
Hoover's addition marks a leadership change for Indiana's offense after Mendoza's departure.
The roster will lose several key players while gaining a strong transfer class, including Turbo Richard and Nick Marsh.
Early rankings place the Hoosiers among the top Big Ten contenders for the 2026 season.

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