Just one year before Curt Cignetti stepped onto campus, Indiana football was coming off a 3–9 season and a 1–8 record in Big Ten play. Wins were scarce, confidence was shaky, and belief in what the program could become was fading. Fast forward two seasons later, and everything looks different. Indiana football is undefeated, 16–0, and competing for a national championship. Turnarounds like this don’t happen often in college football, where rebuilding trust and belief usually takes years. So how did Curt Cignetti change the trajectory of this program so quickly and capture the attention of the nation? The answer isn’t just X’s and O’s. It’s the winning mindset. Cignetti helped players believe in themselves again, trust one another, and commit to a shared standard—building a culture grounded in confidence, resilience, accountability, and unity.
The impact of Curt Cignetti extends far beyond the football field. While players and coaches quickly felt his presence within the program, Indiana Athletics as a whole has noticed a shift in the culture and energy across campus since his arrival. From day one, those around the program have shared that Cignetti brought a clear and consistent “winning mindset”—one that never wavered, even throughout Indiana’s College Football Playoff run.
In sport psychology, leaders set the emotional and psychological tone, and athletes are constantly observing how a coach acts, communicates, and carries themselves. Cignetti understands this. He openly emphasizes “swagger, confidence, and never backing down” (Flick, Indiana Daily Student), and he models those qualities every day. Players describe the moment he walks into a room as different; his presence alone shifts the energy, creating an atmosphere of belief and purpose. Cignetti wants his players and staff to feel confident, mentally tough, and united by a shared expectation: that they will compete to win every single day. Over time, that belief becomes contagious. What begins as a coach’s mindset turns into a team’s identity and ultimately, a culture built to perform under pressure.
Unity has been another key reason Curt Cignetti has been able to accelerate success so quickly. Within the winning culture he established, there is a clear and shared identity; everyone is “Indiana” first. That sense of togetherness helps transfers and returning veterans buy into the same message of toughness, confidence, and resilience, regardless of background or experience. Leaders within the program are encouraged to model the standard and reinforce the culture daily, creating alignment at every level of the team.
With unity comes resilience, the ability to stay connected and respond when adversity hits. Cignetti speaks openly about this reality, emphasizing that challenges are unavoidable in both sport and life. In an interview, he shared, “All of us face adversity every single day, week, month, and year. Part of being successful is overcoming obstacles, persevering, learning from failure, and coming back stronger without being affected by success. Staying humble and hungry every single day. High achievers and strivers understand that, and that’s why they reach that level” (A Coach’s Diary). That mindset has become embedded in Indiana football’s identity. When adversity shows up, the team doesn’t fracture, it responds together, grounded in shared belief, accountability, and a commitment to continuous growth.
Another key factor in Cignetti’s success with Indiana football is a relentless focus on the present moment, treating each game as the only game that matters. This mindset keeps players grounded, disciplined, and fully engaged, preventing them from getting ahead of themselves or becoming distracted by future goals. When it comes to discipline, Indiana is one of the least penalized and most balanced teams nationwide. Practices are intense because every win counts and staying in the moment ensures that both players and coaches maintain sharp focus and avoid complacency throughout the week leading up to game day.
In an era of NIL deals and the transfer portal, building a cohesive team can be challenging. Cignetti takes a different approach: he seeks out undervalued players with strong character and coachable traits, developing them into high performers rather than chasing “star” recruits. In his words, “This is what is important to me: what drives the athlete? What’s their why? How motivated are they? Are they committed? Are they disciplined? What kind of habits did they form at a young age? Do they know right from wrong? I am into production over potential. I want to know what I am getting and buying” (A Coach’s Diary). By emphasizing character, focus, and mental discipline, Cignetti creates a program where athletes not only perform at their best but also grow into resilient, accountable, and motivated individuals.
Curt Cignetti often reminds his team that “95% of the work we do is between the ears” (A Coach’s Diary), a belief that captures the heart of Indiana football’s transformation. Turnarounds like this are rare in college football, but Cignetti understood that sustainable success starts with the mental game. By prioritizing mindset, belief, and daily habits, he has helped his players grow not only as athletes, but as confident, resilient competitors on and off the field. Tonight, Indiana football has the opportunity to make history and finish the season undefeated. As you watch, look beyond the scoreboard, notice the discipline, poise, resilience, intensity, and shared belief that define this team. What you’re seeing isn’t just football; it’s the power of a winning mindset in action.
Blog Article by: Eddie Perry, CMPC
Grow Sport Psychology at Grow Wellness Group
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Resources:
Flick, D. (2024, August 29). How Curt Cignetti brought ‘the winning mindset’ to Indiana football. Indiana Daily Student. https://www.idsnews.com/article/2024/08/curt-cignetti-iu-football-winning-mindset?
A Coach’s Diary [@acoachsdiary]. (n.d.). Instagram profile. Instagram.
