
Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti has brought the Hoosiers to heights unseen in program history in just his first year on the job. IU is undefeated at 9-0, its best start in program history, sits atop the Big Ten standings with three regular season games remaining, and is in the thick of the College Football Playoff chase.
Cignetti’s success has and will likely earn him a significant payday after the 2024 season concludes, including bonuses and potential contract restructuring. According to his current contract terms, this season Cignetti is set to make at least $4 million in base salary and additional income. However, due to Cignetti and Indiana’s success this season, several bonuses will be triggered soon.
Cignetti has already earned a $250,000 bonus after Indiana won its sixth Big Ten game this past weekend at Michigan State. Other bonuses earned include an automatic one-year extension to his current contract — which now runs through the 2030 season after the extension — a $250,000 increase in annual outside, marketing and promotion income (OMP), and a $500,000 increase to the coaching staff budget.
But Cignetti could still earn significantly more in bonuses this season including: $250,000 bonus for a top-six Big Ten finish -OR- $500,000 bonus for a second-place Big Ten finish -OR- $1 million for a Big Ten Championship; $200,000 for a non-CFP bowl game appearance and $50,000 for a non-CFP bowl game win.
If Indiana makes the College Football Playoff, then the bonuses really kick up a notch. A first-round CFP appearance would net Cignetti a $500,000 bonus; a CFP quarterfinal appearance triggers a $600,000 bonus; a CFP semifinal appearance triggers a $700,000 bonus; a CFP national runner-up triggers a $1 million bonus; and a CFP National Championship triggers a $2 million bonus. Indiana’s highest finish in the CFP is the bonus that is triggered; these bonuses do not stack.
Cignetti can also earn additional bonuses for Coach of the Year awards. If Cignetti is named Big Ten Coach of the Year, he will bring in an additional $50,000 in bonuses. If he is named National Coach of the Year, he will bring in an additional $100,000 in bonuses.
READ: Indiana football coach Curt Cignetti’s full contract and salary details
Here is a detailed breakdown of Cignetti’s current contract terms.
– A six-year term running through November 30, 2029
– Annual base salary of $500,000
– Annual outside, marketing, and promotional income as follows:
- December 1, 2023-November 30, 2024 — $3.5 million
- December 1, 2024-November 30, 2025 — $3.6 million
- December 1, 2025-November 30, 2026 — $3.7 million
- December 1, 2026-November 30, 2027 — $3.8 million
- December 1, 2027-November 30, 2028 — $3.9 million
- December 1, 2028-November 30, 2029 — $4.0 million
– Annual retention bonus of $250,000 with the first payment on November 30, 2024, and subsequent payments on November 30 thereafter
– Each bowl appearance triggers the following bonuses:
- 1-year extension to the current contract agreement
- $250,000 increase to the remaining OMP income payments
- $500,000 increase to the budget for football staff personnel at the Head Football Coach’s discretion subject to the approval of the athletic director
– Miscellaneous incentives:
- 5th Big Ten Win — $100,000; or
- 6th Big Ten Win — $250,000; and
- Top Six Big Ten Finish (6th or higher out of 18 teams) — $250,000; or
- Second Place Big Ten Finish — $500,000; or
- Big Ten Championship — $1 million
- The potential for an annual bonus of $200,000 for each bowl appearance that is not part of the College Football Playoff (CFP) and an additional $50,000 for each bowl game win
- College Football Playoff-related bonuses, which are not cumulative and the highest finish will apply
- CFP First Round Appearance — $500,000
- CFP Quarterfinal Appearance — $600,000
- CFP Semifinal Appearance — $700,000
- CFP National Runner-Up — $1 million
- CFP National Champions — $2 million
- Potential for an annual bonus of $50,000 if awarded Big Ten Coach of the Year by either the conference coaches or media voting panel
- Potential for an annual bonus of $100,000 if awarded one of the major National Coach of the Year honors
– If Cignetti resigns before the end of his contract, he will owe Indiana the following compensation:
- $8 million (on or before Nov. 30, 2024);
- $6 million (on or before Nov. 30, 2025);
- $4 million (on or before Nov. 30, 2026);
- $2 million (on or before Nov. 30, 2027);
- $1 million (on or before Nov. 30, 2028);
- $1 million (on or before Nov. 30, 2029)
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