A lot changed as Tom Allen led Indiana through two of the program’s best seasons in 2019 and 2020.
Of course the transfer portal and name, image and likeness completely altered the landscape of college athletics right after those seasons. Perhaps that sea change alone would have been enough to knock Allen’s Hoosiers back down to the far from glamorous reality the program had known for most of its existence.
But back down at the micro level in Bloomington, Allen couldn’t keep his coaching staff together once the rest of college football noticed what the Hoosiers were doing.
Offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer was plucked away after just one season at IU following the 2019 season. He took the head coaching job at Fresno State, then Washington, and now DeBoer has taken over for Nick Saban at Alabama.
Also leaving after 2019 was strength coach David Ballou and performance coordinator Matt Rhea. They both went to Alabama as well.
And following the 2020 season, defensive coordinator Kane Wommack departed, along with running backs coach Mike Hart. Wommack left IU to become the head coach at South Alabama, and now he’s the defensive coordinator at, you guessed it, Alabama.
Indiana’s 14-7 record during the 2019-20 seasons suggested the Hoosiers were pretty special. They were. And the ultimate destinations of the departed staff provided a strong indication just how good of a support system Allen had.
The loss of DeBoer, Wommack and others demonstrated just how critical staff continuity really is. Allen and his subsequent hires were unable to sustain any measure of success. IU went 9-27 over the next three seasons, opening the door for the Curt Cignetti era.
And Cignetti blasted through that door with a historic 10-0 start. His 2024 Hoosiers produced one of the three best seasons in program history, finishing 11-2 and playing in the College Football Playoff.
But once again, people noticed.
Cignetti and IU worked proactively to hold off the poachers. When he received a contract extension in November, the pool of resources to pay assistant coaches was increased to $11 million, one of the largest sums in college football.
After the dramatic turnaround, Cignetti could have picked any job opening in America. Perhaps a traditional college football power would help ensure he didn’t come crashing back to earth like Allen.
But with financial support never seen before from IU, Cignetti doubled down.
“Some people say, ‘Why would you do that (sign a new contract with IU)? When this one may open, that one may open, and you’re going to be a hot commodity,’” Cignetti said. “The fact of the matter is, we’re the emerging superpower of college football. Why would I leave?”
Behind the scenes, Indiana was operating like a new superpower.
In December it was announced all of the assistant coaches and the strength coach received raises and contract extensions. Some of the salaries were staggering.
Still, the traditional powers came for Cignetti’s staff.
Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan was linked to the Ohio State offensive coordinator opening along with Oklahoma, Florida State and others. Defensive coordinator Bryant Haines was linked to the Ohio State and Penn State openings. And this week, USC attempted to nab strength coach Derek Owings
Each time, Indiana responded aggressively.
Shanahan and everyone else saw significant increases in the first round of new contracts. Haines received a second raise. He’s set to make $2 million this season, making him one of the highest-paid defensive coordinators in college football.
And on Friday, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported IU fought off USC to keep Owings by signing him to a new three-year deal with another significant raise.
Cignetti did lose talented quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri. He’s the new offensive coordinator at UCLA. Promotions like they are difficult for anyone to avoid, as Allen found out.
Eventually Cignetti’s young stars will leave for promotions too.
But at least for 2025 the core of Cignetti’s staff remains in tact.
As does Indiana’s standing as an emerging superpower.
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