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Indiana's Curt Cignetti warns intensity must never fade | Sporting News Canada

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Saturday, September 13th 2025 at 1:45 GMT by Sporting News
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Indiana Football’s “Never‑Fade” Intensity: A Look Inside Curt Cignetti’s Vision for the Hoosiers

When the Hoosiers beat Michigan State 42‑7 in a season‑defining game, the roar of the crowd was matched only by the echo of a message that has since become a mantra for Indiana football: intensity must never fade. The words came from head coach Curt Cignetti, who, in a post‑game interview, outlined the culture he hopes to instill in a program that has historically struggled to find its footing in the Big Ten.

A Coach With a “Cinderella” Track Record

Cignetti was hired by the university in March 2022 after a remarkable tenure at the University of Central Florida (UCF). At UCF, he turned a 2‑10 program into a national contender, winning the National Championship Game in 2017 and taking the Knights to 13‑2 in 2021, their best season ever. The Sporting News article notes his unique coaching approach: “Cignetti is a people‑person who treats each player like a student‑athlete, not just a ball‑carrier,” the piece says, citing his emphasis on accountability and culture change.

The article also references a direct link to Cignetti’s coaching résumé, which includes a stint as UCF’s defensive coordinator before becoming head coach. The link provides a deeper dive into his recruiting philosophy, his penchant for aggressive defensive play‑calling, and his knack for developing young talent—an attractive prospect for a program that has been searching for a winning identity for decades.

The 2023 Season: A “Cinderella” Story

The Hoosiers finished the 2023 season with a 9‑4 record, a dramatic improvement over the 5‑7 finish in 2022. In the highlighted game against Michigan State, Indiana’s defense forced three turnovers, and the offense capitalized on every opportunity. The Sporting News piece links to the game recap, detailing how Indiana’s offensive line allowed only three sacks and how the running game averaged 115 yards per game, thanks in part to the coaching adjustments made at halftime.

Cignetti credits the win to “the intensity we built in practice and the focus we kept in mind.” He says the team “knew that every down mattered, that the game was still in the bag.” The article underscores the significance of the victory: it snapped Indiana’s 25‑game road‑loss streak and was a statement win that signaled the program’s new direction.

“Intensity Must Never Fade” – The Core of Cignetti’s Philosophy

In the interview, Cignetti emphasizes that intensity is not a one‑off spark but a sustained culture. “We need to bring the same energy in the final two minutes as we do in the first three,” he says. The article links to an earlier feature on Indiana’s defensive strategy, which explains how the coaching staff uses a “high‑pressure” blitz scheme designed to create turnovers. The emphasis on aggression, both on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, is a hallmark of Cignetti’s playbook.

The coach’s comments also touched on the mental side of the game. “I want them to understand that each game is a fight, but so is every practice,” he explains. He cites the implementation of “pre‑game routines” where players visualise key moments of the game, a technique he learned from his time as a graduate assistant at Michigan.

Recruiting: Building the Talent Pipeline

Cignetti’s recruitment strategy is a critical piece of Indiana’s future puzzle. The article links to the latest recruiting class profile, which shows a haul of six five‑star recruits and a dozen four‑star prospects. The coach’s reputation for turning raw talent into pro‑ready players is cited as a major draw for these recruits. He specifically mentions “finding players who buy into the intensity mindset,” and how that has already begun to change the talent culture at the university.

Furthermore, the piece outlines Indiana’s recruiting philosophy: focusing on high‑school athletes with a proven work ethic and a willingness to adapt. Cignetti’s approach has earned him praise from the university’s athletic director, who notes that “the new recruits reflect a cultural shift toward accountability and performance.”

Looking Ahead: The Rest of the Season

The article also covers the Hoosiers’ schedule heading into the final stretch. A link to the upcoming matchup against Ohio State is provided, highlighting the challenge that lies ahead. Cignetti’s candid assessment is that “Ohio State will test us, but we have the intensity to go into that game prepared.”

In addition, the article previews the Big Ten championship game if Indiana qualifies, underscoring that “intensity is the glue that will keep the team from slipping.” It mentions the coaching staff’s focus on depth, particularly on the defensive line, where they aim to match Ohio State’s physicality.

The Takeaway

Curt Cignetti’s message of “intensity must never fade” is more than a motivational phrase—it’s the cornerstone of a program’s new identity. By linking practice intensity, game‑day execution, and recruiting philosophy, the coach hopes to create a sustainable culture of winning at Indiana. The article, enriched with links to game recaps, coaching biographies, and recruiting profiles, paints a comprehensive picture of a team in transition, guided by a coach with a proven record of turning underperforming programs into national contenders.

Whether this culture can endure the rigors of the Big Ten remains to be seen. However, the 9‑4 finish and the emphatic victories, coupled with a robust recruiting pipeline, suggest that Indiana football’s “never‑fade” intensity is poised to become a defining characteristic of the Hoosiers in the years to come.