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Why couldn’t Curt Cignetti win a title until 2025?
Posted on 7/29/26 at 7:46 am
Posted on 7/29/26 at 7:46 am
And before you respond “he didn’t coach in D1 until 2022 and a p2 until 2024, I mean that he coached 11 seasons in D2 and FCS and never won there.
At the fcs level I guess North Dakota state could be the answer to why he never won a natty.
But he is clearly a very good coach, taking Indiana from a worst all time program to a natty in 2 seasons.
Yet JMU fans always complained that he was a good coach who couldn’t win the big games.
How did he go from being merely very good in lower levels to being elite when he took the jump to the P2?
At the fcs level I guess North Dakota state could be the answer to why he never won a natty.
But he is clearly a very good coach, taking Indiana from a worst all time program to a natty in 2 seasons.
Yet JMU fans always complained that he was a good coach who couldn’t win the big games.
How did he go from being merely very good in lower levels to being elite when he took the jump to the P2?
7
Posted on 7/29/26 at 7:51 am to theCAW
Mark Cuban NIL money at Indiana.
Would be my first assumption.
Would be my first assumption.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:01 am to LSUBoo
quote:
Mark Cuban NIL money at Indiana.
Not like they traditionally had some uber talented roster bought via NIL.
You could make the case that a robust NIL allowed them to build a highly curated, mature roster that was able to execute well-coached schemes at a higher level than a program could've done in the pre-NIL era because of the necessity to build a roster with evenly distributed age groups from 18 to 22.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:11 am to joshnorris14
quote:
You could make the case that a robust NIL allowed them to build a highly curated, mature roster that was able to execute well-coached schemes at a higher level than a program could've done in the pre-NIL era because of the necessity to build a roster with evenly distributed age groups from 18 to 22.
well yeah, that's exactly it (to go along with a pathetic regular season schedule as is the case with most big10 teams).
Very very rarely do you have a championship team with a lousy coach and great talent (2010 AU, 2019 LSU, 2001 Miami notable exceptions) or a terrific coach with total shite talent. It almost always takes a really good or better coach with really good or better talent. Cignetti is a great coach and they paid for a heavy, heavy upperclassman roster that was also talented.
It's not rocket science and that same formula could be replicated at any school in america with a great coach and enoguh NIL money.
This post was edited on 7/29/26 at 8:12 am
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:17 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
It's not rocket science and that same formula could be replicated at any school in america with a great coach and enoguh NIL money.
You still have to win the playoffs now. It’s not like you cruise to a BCS title game or Rose Bowl. Easy strength of schedule still exists, but it’s not as big a factor as it used to be when it comes to winning it all.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:20 am to TexasTiger08
quote:
You still have to win the playoffs now.
oh for sure. Once you get to the postseason you still have to go earn it. Some teams certainly have a much easier path there (and are FAR more rested and refreshed) than others though.
Has anyone seen Indiana's 2026 schedule? I dont' have a clue how good they'll be, they could be utter crap for all I know, but they are still going to waltz into the playoffs.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:22 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
Very very rarely do you have a championship team with a lousy coach and great talent (2010 AU, 2019 LSU, 2001 Miami notable exceptions)
LSU had an excellent coaching staff outside of Orgeron. O was the rahrah guy on the sideline and the recruiter.
But I concede your point as it pertains to head coaches.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:22 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
Some teams certainly have a much easier path there (and are FAR more rested and refreshed) than others though.
Has anyone seen Indiana's 2026 schedule? I dont' have a clue how good they'll be, they could be utter crap for all I know, but they are still going to waltz into the playoffs.
Notre Dame basically has 12 pre-season games before the playoffs this year
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:26 am to CatfishJohn
quote:
Notre Dame basically has 12 pre-season games before the playoffs this year
oh I know, it's infuriating. Meanwhile pick any SEC team at random and look at their schedule compared to ND's. It's ridiculous.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:33 am to theCAW
He went 52-9 at JMU
What a stupid thread
What a stupid thread
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:34 am to CatfishJohn
quote:
Notre Dame basically has 12 pre-season games before the playoffs this year
Am I missing something or is this more irrational Notre Dame hate? I see 10 P4s, including last year’s runner up Miami. Sure I don’t see any SEC teams but then again they haven’t played for a natty in a few years, while Notre Dame has. Even one of their cupcakes, Navy, is favored to win the American conference.
This post was edited on 7/29/26 at 8:38 am
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:38 am to joshnorris14
This. IU got transfers who had in game reps. Whether they were from JMU, or Delgado, experience matters. IU isn't going away
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:40 am to CatfishJohn
quote:
Notre Dame basically has 12 pre-season games before the playoffs this year
I was looking at this schedule in awe yesterday.
Their road slate is Purdue, UNC, BYU, and Syracuse.
BYU is good and will be a test. The other three have legit shots at going winless in conference.
The clear bottom of the ACC this season is Syracuse, UNC, Boston College, and Stanford. ND gets all four.
The clear bottom of the Big 10 this year is Purdue, Mich State, and Rutgers. ND gets two.
Their entire season boils down to splitting Miami and SMU at home.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:41 am to WG_Dawg
quote:
It's not rocket science and that same formula could be replicated at any school in america with a great coach and enoguh NIL money.
It can be replicated in the Big Ten or SEC. Otherwise you’ll need to overpay by a lot in NIL
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:43 am to chalmetteowl
quote:
Am I missing something or is this more irrational Notre Dame hate?
You’re definitely missing something
Not all P4s are created equal.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:44 am to theCAW
His evaluations were perfect this year. Even Jay Johnson misses on some. Curt got every meaning full one right and playing past expectations.
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:45 am to CatfishJohn
quote:
Not all P4s are created equal.
We are in a world where Vanderbilt and Indiana got good…
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:48 am to Fun Bunch
quote:how many titles did he win?
He went 52-9 at JMU What a stupid thread
Stupid response
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:53 am to chalmetteowl
quote:Miami alone is a tougher game than facing most teams in the sec.
Am I missing something or is this more irrational Notre Dame hate? I see 10 P4s, including last year’s runner up Miami. Sure I don’t see any SEC teams but then again they haven’t played for a natty in a few years, while Notre Dame has
Posted on 7/29/26 at 8:58 am to theCAW
quote:
how many titles did he win?
...
He was at IUP, Elon, and JMU.
He went 53-17, 14-9, and 52-9 at those places
That is elite coaching. Not exactly a murderer's row of schools
It is very very very hard and requires luck as well to win an NC. There are all time great coaches that only won 1-2 or none at all.
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