Six takeaways from Curt Cignetti’s appearance at Big Ten football media days

IU football coach Curt Cignetti took the stage Thursday afternoon at Big Ten football media days in Chicago, discussing the challenge of following up a national championship, quarterback Josh Hoover and the identity of his third IU team.

Here are six takeaways from Cignetti’s media day appearance:

Cignetti is already “stalking complacency”

Indiana’s challenge is no longer proving it can compete at the highest level. The Hoosiers must now maintain the habits that produced a national championship.

“I’ll be stalking complacency,” Cignetti said. “But I like what I’ve seen so far.”

Cignetti emphasized that IU’s process will not change because of its success. The program will continue using essentially the same meetings, practice structure and daily blueprint that Cignetti and his staff have followed for years.

The Hoosiers do not spend much time discussing championships or postseason results. Cignetti wants the focus to remain on daily improvement, even as IU enters the season with more attention and higher expectations.

Josh Hoover will not be asked to replace Fernando Mendoza by himself

Josh Hoover will be IU’s latest one-year transfer quarterback, following Kurtis Rourke and Fernando Mendoza.

Cignetti described Hoover as an accurate, natural passer who processes information quickly. But Indiana will not ask him to carry the team or consistently win shootouts.

“We’re not going to put the ball in his hand and say, go out and win the game and outscore people,” Cignetti said. “We’re going to give him a run game, defense and special teams.”

Hoover does not need to replicate Mendoza’s exact style. IU wants him to operate efficiently, protect the football and take advantage of the support around him.

Cignetti said he is anxious to evaluate Hoover’s progress once preseason camp begins.

Indiana wants to remain “more same than different”

The roster has changed, but Cignetti does not expect Indiana’s identity to look dramatically different.

“It’s going to be a little bit of a different team, but it’s going to be more same than different,” he said.

Cignetti wants the Hoosiers to protect the football, stop the run, establish their own running game and perform well in the red zone and on third and fourth-down situations. He also wants all three phases to complement each other.

Indiana may make schematic adjustments based on its personnel, but Cignetti believes execution remains more important.

“The schematic part of it is really overrated,” he said. “Blocking, tackling, running, throwing and catching is the key to the drill.”

With 17 new transfers, preseason camp will be important for establishing that familiar identity.

Indiana will begin camp with a potential offensive-line shuffle

Cignetti provided one of his most notable personnel updates during his appearance on the Big Ten Network.

Indiana will likely begin preseason camp with Adedamola Ajani playing guard and Joe Brunner moving outside to tackle.

Ajani has experience at tackle, but Cignetti said he appears more comfortable inside. Brunner, who played guard last season, will initially receive an opportunity at tackle.

The Hoosiers are not necessarily committed to that combination. The staff will use camp to determine which alignment produces its best five-man unit.

The change also emphasizes IU’s need for offensive-line depth and flexibility. After playing 16 games last season, Cignetti knows injuries are inevitable during another potential postseason run.

Indiana must develop more than five linemen capable of playing meaningful snaps.

Cignetti expects significant contributions from the transfer class

Indiana recruited its transfer class while preparing for and playing in the College Football Playoff, but Cignetti believes the staff still filled several important needs.

“I really like our transfer class,” he said. “I think we did extremely well under tough circumstances.”

Cignetti specifically praised wide receiver Nick Marsh, who was productive during his first two college seasons.

Marsh also received an early introduction to Cignetti’s standards. He referenced Marsh wearing gold shoes during his first practice before adding, “Maybe we don’t do that where I coach.”

Marsh apparently understood the message. Cignetti said the receiver had a strong summer and that he expects “big things” from him.

He also expects all of IU’s transfers to look more comfortable after going through spring practice and spending the summer in the program.

Cignetti appeared to take a shot at the SEC

Cignetti delivered his sharpest answer when asked whether playing a demanding Big Ten schedule helps prepare teams for the postseason.

He called the Big Ten the best conference in college football and praised its physicality, coaching and difficult road environments.

Then, without mentioning another conference by name, Cignetti appeared to take a shot at the SEC.

“We don’t run a hype machine up here in the Midwest,” Cignetti said. “When we fall short, we say we fell short. We don’t cry a river, whine and complain. That’s why we’re the best.”

The comment sounded like a response to the annual arguments about conference strength and postseason selections.

Whether Cignetti intended to single out the SEC or not, his larger point was clear: He believes the Big Ten’s recent results, which include back-to-back-to-back national championships, speak for themselves.

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