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

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

Cignetti signed the deal on October 16, 2025.

Here are the details of the deal:

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

• The annual base salary for Cignetti is $500.00, with 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 annually from November 30 through 2029. The first payment will be made on November 30, 2025.

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

• Cignetti will receive a $250,000 signing bonus, payable within 30 days of submitting the offer letter.

• Cignetti has the option 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)
End of the conference: Top Six Finish ($250,000); second place, including tie ($500,000); Big Ten Championship Game Win ($1,000,000).

• $200,000 bonus for making a non-CFP bowl game 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 semi-final 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 a $10,000 reimbursement for personal orders of Adidas products and a $25,000 reimbursement for a replacement car.

– 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 will be reduced by 50 percent if Pamela Whitten or Scott Dolson are no longer employed in their current positions at the time of termination.

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

• Cignetti is also entitled to a good faith market survey for its deal, as follows:

Beginning with the 2025 collegiate football season, the parties agree to complete a good faith review and negotiations regarding coach compensation within 120 days of the team’s appearance in the CFP (or surviving system) semifinals. If, following said review and negotiation, the parties are unable to agree on a market adjustment of Coach’s compensation and the University has not offered terms that would make Coach’s annual compensation no less than one-third (3rd) among active head coaches at institutions eligible to compete for the CFP (or the surviving system), the University agrees to waive all damages that Coach would owe to the University if he were to subsequently terminate. his employment with the university. For the purposes of this provision, the average annual compensation (APY) over the remaining term is used as the primary market comparison. The parties agree, if necessary, to jointly engage an independent valuation expert to assist in establishing market valuations (the valuation expert’s opinion is non-binding). In addition, this provision shall not prevent the parties from mutually agreeing to modify the terms of this Agreement at any other time during the Term.

• There are also the following conditions regarding a staff pool and program support:

Good Faith Efforts Regarding Staff Pool: The University will make all reasonable efforts to provide a competitive staff pool (as that term is defined in your employment agreement) to retain and recruit talented assistant coaches, strength coaches, operations staff and support staff. The University agrees to conduct a good faith market survey whenever its workforce 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 will make all reasonable efforts to provide competitive means of program support (currently referred to as revenue sharing) for player retention and acquisition. The Vice President and Athletic Director agree to meet with you at least annually to review all 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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