Details of Curt Cignetti’s new eight-year contract with IU football released

Indiana University released the signed memorandum of understanding for Curt Cignetti’s new eight-year contract that runs through November of 2033.

Cignetti signed the deal on October 16, 2025.

Here are the details of the deal:

• The eight-year term begins December 1, 2025, and concludes on November 2033.

• The annual base salary for Cignetti is $500,00 with annual outside, marketing and promotional income each year as follows:

– Year 1: $9,650,000
– Year 2: $9,750,000
– Year 3: $9,850,000
– Year 4: $9,950,000
– Year 5: $10,050,000
– Year 6: $10,150,000
– Year 7: $10,250,000
– Year 8: $10,350,000

• Cignetti will receive an annual retention bonus of $1,000,000 paid out yearly on November 30 through 2029. The first payment will be paid on November 30, 2025.

After 2029, Cignetti’s annual retention bonus will increase to $1,250,000, payable on November 30 each year through the end of the deal.

• Cignetti will receive a $250,000 signing bonus, which will be paid within 30 days of executing the offer letter.

• Cignetti has the opportunity for two Big Ten-related bonuses, which are not cumulative:

Conference wins: 5th Big Ten win ($100,000) or 6th Big Ten win ($150,000)
Conference finish: Top six finish ($250,000); second-place finish, including ties ($500,000); Big Ten championship game win ($1,000,000).

• $200,000 bonus for making a bowl game that isn’t a part of the CFP and a $50,000 bonus if IU wins the bowl game.

• Cignetti can earn a CFP bonus (not cumulative): CFP first round appearance ($500,000); CFP quarterfinal appearance ($600,000); CFP semifinal appearance ($700,000); CFP national runner-up ($1,000,000); CFP national championship ($2,000,000).

• Cignetti can earn $50,000 for winning Big Ten coach of the year and $100,000 for national coach of the year.

• Cignetti will receive $10,000 in allowance for personal adidas product orders and $25,000 for a courtesy car allowance.

– Between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2033, here are the updated buyout amounts if Cignetti leaves IU for another job:

– Between December 1, 2025 and November 30, 2026: $15,000,000
– Between December 1, 2026 and November 30, 2027: $12,000,000
– Between December 1, 2027 and November 30, 2028: $9,000,000
– Between December 1, 2028 and November 30, 2029: $6,000,000
– Between December 1, 2029 and November 30, 2030: $4,000,000
– Between December 1, 2030 and November 30, 2031: $2,000,000
– Between December 1, 2031 and November 30, 2032: $1,000,000
– Between December 1, 2032 and November 30, 2033: $0

The buyout is reduced by 50 percent if either Pamela Whitten or Scott Dolson is no longer serving in their current position at the time of resignation.

• If Cignetti is terminated without cause, he will be paid out 100 percent of his base salary and outside, marketing and promotional income along with retention bonuses through the expiration date.

• Cignetti is also entitled to a good-faith market review for his deal, as follows:

Beginning with the 2025 collegiate football season, the parties agree to complete a good faith review and negotiation of Coach’s compensation within 120 days after the Team appears in the CFP (or surviving system) Semi-Final Game. After said review and negotiation, if the parties fail to reach an agreement for a market adjustment of Coach’s compensation and the University did not offer terms that would make Coach’s annual compensation no less than third (3rd) amongst active head coaches at institutions which are eligible to compete for the CFP (or surviving system), the University agrees to waive for the remaining Term of this Agreement any liquidated damages which would be due from Coach to the University should he subsequently terminate his employment at the University. For purposes of this provision, the average compensation per year (APY) over the remaining term shall be used as the primary market comparison. The parties agree to jointly engage, if needed, an independent valuation expert to assist with determining market valuations (the valuation expert’s opinion shall be non-binding). Furthermore, this provision shall not prevent the parties from mutually agreeing to amend the terms of this Agreement at any other point during the Term.

• There are also the following terms in regards to a staff pool and program support:

Good Faith Efforts regarding Staff Pool: The University shall make every reasonable effort to provide a competitive Staff Pool (as that term is defined in your Employment Agreement) to retain and acquire talented assistant coaches, strength coaches, operations staff, and support staff. The University agrees to perform a good faith market review any time the Staff Pool ranks lower than fifth in the Big Ten Conference or tenth Nationally (based on agreed-upon market data).

Good Faith Efforts regarding Program Support: The University shall make every reasonable effort to provide competitive resources for program support (currently designated as Revenue Sharing) for player retention and acquisition. The Vice President and Athletic Director agrees to meet with you at least annually to review any available data to ensure that the football program remains competitive both nationally and in the Big Ten in this area of program support.

(Photo credit: IU Athletics)

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