‘He isn’t going to say anything for no reason’: Curt Cignetti keeps consistent message ahead of UCLA
- Josh Pos
- 1h ago
Every Monday at noon, Curt Cignetti steps behind the microphone, not just to fulfill a media obligation – but to deliver a message his program will hear loud and clear.
Sometimes, he further breaks down the film of the prior game. At other times, he’ll field questions about specific players. The specifics vary from week to week.
What never changes is his commitment to speaking highly of the upcoming opponent. It doesn’t matter if Indiana is facing a national powerhouse or a Big Ten bottom-feeder – Cignetti uses his 10-minute media window to deliver a consistent message: focus forward.
“UCLA, we’re playing a 3-0 football team that’s undefeated, 3-0 in conference,” Cignetti said in his opening statement. “Since they have retooled their staff, now have their new defensive coordinator and offensive staff in place, very impressive football team.”
His assertion that UCLA has reset its program in its four games under the previous head coach, DeShaun Foster, is sure to be reiterated in team meetings throughout the week. But it always begins on Monday, the moment Cignetti first speaks.
At first glance, a Cignetti press conference sounds like typical coach-speak. The usual tropes return: “fast, physical, relentless,” and “every play has a life and death of its own.” Repeated, always intentional.
But behind the clichés is a calculated delivery. Every word is deliberate. Every phrase is purposeful.
The tone set at the podium mirrors his afternoon team meeting. Every coach, player and staff member in the meeting receives a lecture about moving forward.
“He isn’t going to say anything for no reason,” receiver Omar Cooper Jr. said. “We’re just trying to make sure that we listen to what he says and make sure we’re not taking things for granted.”
Indiana enters the week as the heavy favorite to beat a suddenly surging UCLA squad, but the approach will not waver. They will prepare for this game as if it were the national championship.
There is no other way, not under Cignetti.
Following Saturday’s win against Michigan State, Cignetti admitted he had to “play the bad guy” and dampen the celebration. His team had just notched a statement win, but his attention had already shifted to the next challenge.
Not even a new contract – making him the third-highest-paid coach in the sport – altered his demeanor. Cignetti wasn’t about to let past success cloud the present.
Indiana ultimately coasted to its second consecutive 7-0 start and Cignetti cracked a smile postgame. However, Cignetti’s wiring has him about the next game immediately.
Practices are short. Anything over 90 minutes is too long for Cignetti, especially during a grueling six-game stretch with no bye week.
“He’s going to coach to the level that he wants to play at,” receiver Omar Cooper Jr. said. “He just continues to push us and make sure we are not just focused on what happened in the past and that we have a big game coming up next.”
The scoreboard in the south end zone may tell a lopsided story by Saturday afternoon. Indiana could notch its eighth straight win – this time in front of a national audience on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff. However, the final score will reveal more than just statistics; it will show whether Curt Cignetti, once again, managed to capture his team’s full attention in a five-day sprint.
It has become a way of life for Cignetti. He has pursued success as a head coach since leaving Alabama for Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2011. It was the relentless pursuit that led him to James Madison, where he had immense success.
The operation ultimately led him to where he is now – among the best coaches the nation has seen, lifting a once-dormant program to the sky.
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