Curt Cignetti is making complacency one of his biggest concerns as Indiana prepares to defend its national championship. The Hoosiers coach says he is “stalking complacency” after guiding the program through one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college football, including a 2025 national title and College Football Playoff appearances in each of his first two seasons.
Curt Cignetti wants Indiana to maintain championship edge
Cignetti inherited an Indiana program that had gone 9-27 during the three seasons before his arrival. In just two seasons, he transformed the Hoosiers into a College Football Playoff regular and led them to the national championship in 2025.
Now, the challenge is maintaining the intensity that helped Indiana reach the top. Cignetti said the program has established a particular way of working and wants his players to preserve that mentality rather than become comfortable after winning the championship.
“We have a way of doing things. We’ve got guys that have been together, and all we do is win.”
Indiana’s rapid rise has also changed an unwanted historical distinction. The Hoosiers’ two-year run under Cignetti allowed the program to move away from the distinction of being the Bowl Subdivision program with the most losses in history. That record now belongs to Big Ten rival Northwestern.
Indiana faces major challenge after Fernando Mendoza’s departure
The Hoosiers will attempt to sustain their success without quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who won the Heisman Trophy before entering the NFL draft. The Las Vegas Raiders selected Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick after his lone season at Indiana.
Mendoza was one of a school-record eight Indiana players selected in the draft, leaving Cignetti with significant roster turnover as the defending champions prepare for another season.
Offensive tackle Carter Smith said Indiana must stay committed to the same principles that produced its championship campaign, particularly when it comes to preparation and work ethic.
“We need to make sure that we keep the same blueprint as last year going into this year, and that includes maintaining the same work ethic.”
Hoosiers reload through transfer portal
Indiana has responded to its roster changes by bringing in one of the nation’s strongest groups of transfer players. The Hoosiers added 18 transfer newcomers, including former TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and former Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh.
The approach reflects Indiana’s attempt to remain competitive despite losing key players from its championship team. The new arrivals will have to adapt quickly to Cignetti’s demanding standards.
Nick Marsh learns Cignetti’s standards early
Marsh received an early lesson in Cignetti’s expectations during spring practice. The former Michigan State player arrived wearing gold cleats and was criticised by his new coach.
Cignetti has since praised Marsh’s work habits. The wide receiver enters Indiana after catching 100 passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns over the previous two seasons.
For Indiana, the goal now extends beyond proving that its championship was not a one-season achievement. Cignetti is focused on ensuring the program retains the discipline and work ethic that powered its rapid rise, while the revamped roster attempts to continue that momentum without its former Heisman-winning quarterback.
