Is Cignetti cocky? Without a doubt. Just look at his initial press conference when hired at Indiana. I mean, "I win, Google me". But he has backed it up. And really nobody should be surprised. Well, to this level some surprise is warranted I admit. He paid his dues. He was once the recruiting coordinator for Saban at Alabama. His Dad is a CFB Hall of Famer as a head coach IIRC. I mean, the biggest surprise might be that he had to go to Elon and JMU before getting his chance. I can see why some wouldn't want to give him that chance though. I can see him being very arrogant in the interview process. Not fake arrogance that Todd Stansbury should have easily seen through in Clown Boy, but arrogance in that "what makes this guy think he can win anywhere...though that's exactly what he's done". He's getting the last laugh for sure and I think it is driving him more than ever. That is, the number of programs who never invested in him and he had to go to the losing-est program in P4 history to prove his point. Good for him. A cocky underdog kind of guy...weird combination.
My brother in Christ, he took a roster that is marginally better than Techs and is now 14-0. There is no such thing as getting ahead of ourselves here. That is one of the best coaches units of all time operating miles beyond their individual talent.
He’s paid a lot of players to come in as well. Unlike James Franklin and Dabo he’s smart enough to know money will get you wins. Cig gets it. This is a new game my friends.
Took the words out of my mouth.
Completely agree. He still has to have a good staff. And his staff has to be held accountable. And they still have to scheme and prepare. They still have to coach and lead. He still has to drive a belief in his guys. Not that you are saying it because I don't take it that way, but it isn't as simple as pay for Play and you are guaranteed to win all the time. You gotta have the right guys with the money you are spending. Like you referenced, Franklin and Dabo (both who were in the playoffs just a year ago which needs to take a moment to think about) perhaps haven't spent their money well. Cignetti gets it because Cignetti is a great coach. He was even when he didn't have money to buy players.
That’s what I see too.
uh and who did they beat? Another unworthy SEC team.
They have MUCH more talent than GT. Not close…
Yep. And on their staff starting at the top.
Starting with the best QB in the country and probably the best OL and DL in the nation, rivaling Miami, and, arguably, the best wide receiver in the country.
I meant their OL hasn’t been dominant but they’ve had good RB’s WR’s and QB’s that still got it done.
Big Dan could get a bar fight started.
I come in peace
Minus the perceived 4 and 5 star recruits.
This is exactly what I was trying to say. I’m not sure how anyone here is quantifying indianas talent differential compared to GT without having coach level evaluation of 3 stars in the portal.
Keep in mind that IU didn't just beat bammer...they humbled and humiliated them.
Curt reminds me of CPJ. (personality wise) He’s kinda brash, very eccentric, doesn’t give a F*** what you think of him, and a great coach. Of course he’s already accomplished more at the P5 level than Paul ever did. (no disrespect to CPJ’s accomplishments, Cignetti has just been on an absolute roll)
Bingo. You got it. If expendable money and paying players was all it took to win national championships, then Georgia would have about 15 or 20 of them. It takes coaching. A lot of it. Bad coaching though loaded with money can waste a lot of 4 and 5 star so-called talent. Hello Florida and Auburn and Penn State just to name a few.