Kurt “The Truth” Cignetti

[Punky]

It's not called the State of Purdue or the State of Notre Dame.

Every Hoosier(anybody who lives in the State of Indiana for those who dont know)identifies with the Indiana Hoosiers.

The only exception would be hard-core Purdue alums. But even my best friend is a Purdue Alum and he pulls for Indiana too because he grew up an Indiana fan and obviously knows I went there.

My father-in-law was born and raised in Clinton. He was a mechanic, never went to college. Purdue guy through and through. Liked Indiana bball when McCracken was there, otherwise didn't care about them one way or 'tother. Hated Notre Dame, an anger which strangely started about 40 years ago.......when I married his daughter

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Didn’t say otherwise. Relative to their competition at the time, both teams were great. Just pointing out that Miami has some all-time greats as well which often gets overlooked when present day fan as are rightfully showing their disdain for their celebration everytime the last undefeated team loses.

The Dolphins won back to back in 1972-73 but are probably overshadowed by the Steelers teams that followed them. The 1973 team is also considered in some ways to be superior to the unbeaten 1972 team.

The Dallas Cowboys are considered the team of the 90s as the Steelers are widely considered the team of the 70s. Dallas also won three in four years and were incredibly close to having won 4 in a row. The 70s Dolphins can't really say that.

The biggest thing about the 72 Dolphins is that they became incredibly insufferable curmudgeons over the years about their unbeaten record. Mercury Morris and Bob Kuechenberg in particular were a bit more than "outspoken" over the years.

 

[ND88]

I ap

It's not called the State of Purdue or the State of Notre Dame.

Every Hoosier(anybody who lives in the State of Indiana for those who dont know)identifies with the Indiana Hoosiers.

The only exception would be hard-core Purdue alums. But even my best friend is a Purdue Alum and he pulls for Indiana too because he grew up an Indiana fan and obviously knows I went there.

I apologize for my earlier comments, Sea Turtle. I didn't realize you graduated from IU. Congratulations on the win.

 

[ND88]

He talks some shit in press conferences but I actually like his sideline demeanor. He’s obviously a great coach and I think it’s kind of a cool story that he bet on himself and took the hard road by leaving Saban and taking a lower level HC job. Guy earned his button and seems to be able to build a great culture with many moving parts. Wish ND had an opportunity to play them, I think it would’ve been an insane matchup.

Cig has made no bones about it that he hates Notre Dame, but I will concede one thing about his character. I think he would have loved to play us again this year because he learned something from us last CFP. Great competitors want the smoke and this year he coached like he wanted it. I can respect that, even if I am not a fan. Would love if Mendoza came back and by some miracle we met again in the playoffs.

 

[Irish#1]

Honestly, their o-line gets blown up before any run play gets developed. Dolphin players would be getting injured constantly.

It's not Miami's fault. It was 1972. Those Steeler teams would have been destroyed too. It was just a different era. The 1977 Cowboys as well.

It would be like our Gulf War military vs our Vietnam Army military. Absolute murder.

Using that logic the 2000’s era Patriots would have rolled those Cowboys.

 

[Bobias]

This thread is sticky as hell with all the jelly in here

 

[NDFAN420]

Cig has made no bones about it that he hates Notre Dame.

He ranked ND the highest of all the coaches.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I ap

I apologize for my earlier comments, Sea Turtle. I didn't realize you graduated from IU. Congratulations on the win.

No problem, man. And to be honest, I didn't graduate. I went for 2 and a half years and dropped out because I ran out of money.

Also, one of my friends there who was also in my high school class, died in a quarry jumping accident there in the quarries of Monroe County. That was rough. I intended to go back but never did. Fortunately life worked out so I didn't have to.

 

[ulukinatme]

From a coaching perspective, what's the difference?

G5 players vs G5 players
P4 players vs P4 players
G5 team vs G5 schedule
P4 team vs P4 schedule

If there isn't a difference, then why didn't Frost replicate his UCF success at Nebraska?

 

[IRISHDODGER]

The Dolphins won back to back in 1972-73 but are probably overshadowed by the Steelers teams that followed them. The 1973 team is also considered in some ways to be superior to the unbeaten 1972 team.

The Dallas Cowboys are considered the team of the 90s as the Steelers are widely considered the team of the 70s. Dallas also won three in four years and were incredibly close to having won 4 in a row. The 70s Dolphins can't really say that.

The biggest thing about the 72 Dolphins is that they became incredibly insufferable curmudgeons over the years about their unbeaten record. Mercury Morris and Bob Kuechenberg in particular were a bit more than "outspoken" over the years.

Most forget that Griese broke his ankle early in the ‘72 season & it was backup extraordinaire, Earl Morrall; who led them most of that season. He did it for Shula at Baltimore as well before losing to the Jets in the SB. Where again, everyone assumes it was Namath besting Unitas but Unitas suffered an arm injury early that season & Morrall turned in a career year. Unfortunately for Morrall, he tossed 3 picks to the Jets so by the time Unitas came in it was too late.

 

[jerseyborn1971]

If there isn't a difference, then why didn't Frost replicate his UCF success at Nebraska?

Because that's not how reality works? Every team and situation is the same??? Why didn't Brian Kelly win at LSU as much as he did at ND. Is it because the SEC is just better than Notre Dame and it isn't the same?

And just to reset the conversation, your initial post was "We're talking a perennial doormat going undefeated in year 2. It doesn't happen, but there is a first time for everything"

All I did was point out it absolutely happened not that long ago. And if it so easy at the G5, here is a list of the rest of the teams that have done it:















.

 

[ndfanatic78]

Im a little in the clouds rn. But I agree with wholeheartedly with this guy. But. Yeah there's a but. We have to come to a point where we see. His team was built by guys who were on average 22-24 yrs old. Playing against mostly 18 yr olds. I take nothing away from him as a coach. Hes a really good coach. Evaluator of talent. Even with Cuban as his benefactor. Cig won't be able to replicate this again. To me. He capitalized on the situation. And honestly. Good for him. Hopefully this doesn't come across as a bitter ND fan. I was actually rooting for them. I just don't think its sustainable.

The were not playing against mostly freshman, those are 18 year olds. They were playing against mainly 20-22 year olds.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Most forget that Griese broke his ankle early in the ‘72 season & it was backup extraordinaire, Earl Morrall; who led them most of that season. He did it for Shula at Baltimore as well before losing to the Jets in the SB. Where again, everyone assumes it was Namath besting Unitas but Unitas suffered an arm injury early that season & Morrall turned in a career year. Unfortunately for Morrall, he tossed 3 picks to the Jets so by the time Unitas came in it was too late.

Yes. If I ever knew, I clearly forgot. LOL

 

[ulukinatme]

Because that's not how reality works? Every team and situation is the same??? Why didn't Brian Kelly win at LSU as much as he did at ND. Is it because the SEC is just better than Notre Dame and it isn't the same?

And just to reset the conversation, your initial post was "We're talking a perennial doormat going undefeated in year 2. It doesn't happen, but there is a first time for everything"

All I did was point out it absolutely happened not that long ago. And if it so easy at the G5, here is a list of the rest of the teams that have done it:

You're the one that said "From a coaching perspective, what's the difference?" You tell me. You brought up UCF. Surely UCF going 13-0 was deserving of a playoff spot and was just as good or better than the P4 teams that year, right? They made those cringey National Championship rings, the banner, shirts, everything...or maybe a coach turning around a G5 team doesn't mean quite as much and people treat it accordingly. There's also the point that we don't know if Frost cut corners for that UCF turn around, but given histories of other miraculous turn arounds there's a strong chance he was able to do something at UCF that wouldn't fly in a big program like Nebraska.

You conveniently left out the last part of that quote: "We're talking a perennial doormat going undefeated in year 2. It doesn't happen, but there is a first time for everything...and there's usually some corners cut."

I don't believe for a second that Cignetti did everything on the up and up to win this championship. To win a championship Michigan needed to cheat to turn around their program that was stuck in neutral, and they have more resources and pull than Indiana has ever had. Credit IU, they found a way to win when it mattered, but I don't believe for a second Cignetti is the second coming of Leahy and did this without cutting some corner.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I wonder if coaching has gotten stale and everyone is teaching the same technique and drills, and evaluation. If everybody is doing the same thingthen it really does come down to whoever has the best players.

I know Cignetti and his staff evaluate a lot different than everybody else. I wonder if they broke the mold and built a different one in everything else as well.

For instance, their running backs always run north to south and run angrily. They rarely go east to west, no wiggle, jump cut, hesitate. etc. Just rip/slash forward and run over and drag anyone who gets in the way. And they don't fumble.

That's coached.

 

[Goldbrick2]

I wonder if coaching has gotten stale and everyone is teaching the same technique and drills, and evaluation. If everybody is doing the same thingthen it really does come down to whoever has the best players.

I know Cignetti and his staff evaluate a lot different than everybody else. I wonder if they broke the mold and built a different one in everything else as well.

For instance, their running backs always run north to south and run angrily. They rarely go east to west, no wiggle, jump cut, hesitate. etc. Just rip/slash forward and run over and drag anyone who gets in the way. And they don't fumble.

That's coached.

It will be interesting to see if Josh Burnham's productivity at IU differs greatly from his time in South Bend. I imagine this will lead to assistants being hired away if that is the case.

 

[Sea Turtle]

It will be interesting to see if Josh Burnham's productivity at IU differs greatly from his time in South Bend. I imagine this will lead to assistants being hired away if that is the case.

They've already lost their S&C coach 😞

 

[Rockin’Irish]

It will be interesting to see if Josh Burnham's productivity at IU differs greatly from his time in South Bend. I imagine this will lead to assistants being hired away if that is the case.

I would imagine he will be more productive if he stays healthy since the competition for playing time is likely not as fierce. Injury definitely held him back at ND in 2025.

 

[Dale]

It’s interesting as the whole media world praises Cignetti for “production > potential”, Indiana hosts a recruiting weekend with blue chip talent and seems to be making 2027 inroads.

Clearly Cignetti doesn’t think sTaRs dOnT mAtTeR. People have conflated production and development when discussing Cignetti.

 

[DCK_1981]

If he can replicate what he did with this group again with more highly talented/rated players IU will be a new dynasty. I don’t know if this year was a stars aligning type of year due to them having the average age of a master’s student. But to see what he did with a shitty program like IU and now see major recruits looking that way, they definitely shouldn’t be ignored

 

[Sea Turtle]

It’s interesting as the whole media world praises Cignetti for “production > potential”, Indiana hosts a recruiting weekend with blue chip talent and seems to be making 2027 inroads.

Clearly Cignetti doesn’t think sTaRs dOnT mAtTeR. People have conflated production and development when discussing Cignetti.

The production over potential is in regard to the portal.

 

[Dale]

The production over potential is in regard to the portal.

If they start to recruit high school better, they aren’t going to take from the portal as much.

Nobody chooses less talent when given the option. The idea that Cignetti is anti potential is a farce.

 

[Sea Turtle]

If they start to recruit high school better, they aren’t going to take from the portal as much.

Nobody chooses less talent when given the option. The idea that Cignetti is anti potential is a farce.

Yes. That's true. They want to recruit the best high school players they can to develop.

 

[Irish2155]

I feel like every local car dealership commercial on TV now ends with “Google Me”. That got old quick.

 

[T-Boone]

For instance, their running backs always run north to south and run angrily.

Wouldnt that mean that for half the game the RBs are running in the wrong direction? There would be a lot of safeties.

 

[T-Boone]

I feel like every local car dealership commercial on TV now ends with “Google Me”. That got old quick.

Things get old very quickly now indeed. Lame. Like ferkin 6,7.

 

[DomerInHappyValley]

Was debating Cig with a coworker this week.
Now this coworker was on staff at MSU so he has different insights I believe.

I mentioned that what impressed me the most about Cig is like every single one of his transfers were a hit.
He mentioned that Cig basically does a Gallup poll on these guys before offering.

Like moneyball Cig may just be ahead of the curve.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Their first three games are at home to North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky. That's a quarter of their schedule and sad.

2027 is more sad. Kennesaw State, Indiana State and UMass.

Imagine Notre Dame scheduling this way. Full hater meltdown on social media. Elon's Russian bots would be puking ketamine soaked coat hangers.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Their first three games are at home to North Texas, Howard and Western Kentucky. That's a quarter of their schedule and sad.

2027 is more sad. Kennesaw State, Indiana State and UMass.

Imagine Notre Dame scheduling this way. Full hater meltdown on social media. Elon's Russian bots would be puking ketamine soaked coat hangers.

They will have a new QB and 5 new starters on each side of the ball.

It's smart. And it seems to be working.

 

[Dale]

Found something interesting when we talk about what is the secret sauce. Indiana is somewhat unique in that they have 4 coaches for the DL and DBs. Normal is 2 - 3. They have a DEs, DTs, CBs and Safeties Coach. Haines coaches the LBs. Is being hyper prepared really as simple as more coaches? IUs defense specializes in stunts and coverage disguises