Getting college football coaches to speak openly—especially about rival programs—is no easy task. That’s why Athlon Sports’ annual tradition of collecting anonymous quotes from Big Ten coaches is so valuable. These candid, behind-the-scenes insights offer a rare glimpse into the league’s real conversations and judgments without the filter of public diplomacy.
This year, a big topic among Big Ten coaches is the remarkable transformation underway at Indiana University under second-year head coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers’ rise from struggling depths to competitive relevance has caught the attention—and respect—of the league, with some calling it perhaps the biggest culture change in college football history.
Here are some of the most telling quotes from Athlon Sports’ 2025 College Football Preview magazine about Indiana football:
“Maybe the biggest culture change at a program in the history of the sport. IU is a case study for putting your money where your mouth is. Cig [Curt Cignetti] is a fantastic coach, obviously, but he wouldn’t come without that commitment. That’s how they succeeded immediately.”
This quote underscores how Indiana’s institutional investment—particularly in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) opportunities and robust support systems—was a key factor in attracting Cignetti and turning the program around quickly. Coaches see this as a model of how a program’s culture can be reshaped with the right resources and leadership.
Other comments highlight the on-field progress:
“I think they’ve improved the O-line enough to stay in games against top-level, physical defenses.”
This nod to Indiana’s offensive line development shows how the Hoosiers have addressed one of their historic weak points, enabling them to better compete physically in the tough Big Ten.
But challenges remain:
“They’re leaning on the portal again in the secondary because they’re still a ways off on true, top-end depth for this league.”
Depth in the secondary remains a work in progress, with Indiana still relying on transfers to fill gaps. This cautious note hints at the longer-term challenges of building sustained talent pipelines in highly competitive conferences.
Still, the general consensus is optimistic:
“Everyone is asking who the next Indiana is, but there’s no real reason why it isn’t Indiana again. Will they win as many games? Probably not, but they’re going to be in the hunt for a playoff spot again.”
Indiana’s recent rise has flipped the narrative—from a perennial underdog to a serious contender—fueling expectations that they can repeat or maintain competitive success.
Looking back, the transformation is stark. Ahead of the 2023 season, coaches were doubtful:
“Probably the most uncertain program in the league going into the season. They have to win some big games to keep Tom [Allen] around, and that doesn’t look likely with the roster they’ve got.”
And about recruiting and culture:
“They aren’t making enough noise in high school recruiting. If you’re going to stay consistent at a school like this, you can’t rely on the portal. You need to be a development system, and they haven’t pulled in enough talent to do that.”
By 2024, cautious optimism had crept in:
“Cig [Curt Cignetti] is a really good hire; it shows that the school wants to be competitive and respectable in football. They’re taking football seriously in NIL, too.”
These quotes collectively chart Indiana’s journey from instability and uncertainty to a program undergoing perhaps the most dramatic cultural overhaul in college football. Big Ten coaches recognize this shift as more than a fluke—it’s a blueprint for transforming struggling programs through investment, leadership, and savvy roster management.
As Indiana enters its next chapter under Cignetti, the league—and college football at large—will be watching closely to see if the Hoosiers can sustain and build on this historic culture change. For a program once dismissed as a perennial bottom feeder, the respect and attention they now command is nothing short of remarkable.
