Indiana University’s football program has shot up the college football ranks, and a lot of the credit goes to head coach Curt Cignetti. He’s energized the team on the field, sure, but he’s also managed to tap into Indiana’s alumni network—most notably, billionaire Mark Cuban.
Cuban’s big donations have given the Hoosiers a major boost in the transfer portal. It’s set them up for some pretty wild successes lately. Let’s take a look at how these contributions have shaken things up and helped Indiana muscle its way into the national spotlight.
The Curt Cignetti Effect
When Curt Cignetti took over at Indiana, hardly anyone expected the whirlwind changes that followed. His knack for getting buy-in from everyone—players, staff, and especially alumni—has been seriously impressive.
With Cignetti at the helm, Indiana’s become a real threat in college football. There’s something about his leadership style that just clicks with people.
Building a Winning Culture
Cignetti’s method for building a winning culture isn’t just about Xs and Os. He’s all about unity and commitment, making sure everyone’s working toward the same goals.
This sense of togetherness has helped attract top talent. It’s also made the most of the players already on the roster.
Mark Cuban’s Game-Changing Donations
One of the biggest alumni Cignetti roped in is Mark Cuban. You probably know Cuban from the Dallas Mavericks or maybe Shark Tank, but he’d never actually donated to Indiana’s athletics department before.
That changed in a big way with back-to-back, major contributions. These gifts were laser-focused on making Indiana more competitive in the transfer portal.
Strategic Financial Support
Cuban even confirmed he made another hefty donation right before the transfer portal opened on January 2. He didn’t share the exact number, but hinted it was bigger than last year—apparently, the university is “happier this year than last year.”
This kind of financial backing has really given Indiana an edge in landing top-tier players. It’s hard to overstate the impact.
Impact on the Field
The payoff from these investments? Pretty spectacular. Indiana snagged a playoff spot in 2024, then went undefeated in 2025 and grabbed the No. 1 overall seed in the College Football Playoff.
They also won the Big Ten championship. Suddenly, they’re not just in the conversation—they’re national title favorites.
Key Transfers and Success
The transfer portal has been a game-changer for Indiana. Cignetti brought in several key players from his James Madison days, including Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
They’ve also managed to land other major talents through the portal, which has only made the roster stronger.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season
Now, as Indiana gears up for a rematch with No. 5 Oregon in the Peach Bowl, they’re not just resting on their laurels. They’re hustling to keep their edge for 2026.
The Hoosiers have pulled off another impressive portal class, landing at fourth in 247Sports’ transfer portal rankings. Not too shabby.
New Additions
Among the newest faces: TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and Michigan State wide receiver Nick Marsh. These guys are expected to fill some pretty important spots on offense.
It’s looking like Indiana isn’t planning to fade from the Big Ten spotlight any time soon.
Conclusion
Indiana University’s football program has changed a lot since Curt Cignetti took over. It’s honestly kind of wild to see how much alumni support, especially from folks like Mark Cuban, has helped push things forward.
That extra funding has made it possible to bring in some really impressive players through the transfer portal. There’s a sense around campus that the Hoosiers could be a force in college football for quite a while.
If you’re curious and want to dig deeper, the full article is over at CBS Sports.
- Schools Covered
- College Football Articles
- Men's College Basketball Articles
- Men's College Soccer Articles
- Women's College Basketball Articles
- Olympic Athlete Articles
- Men's College Baseball Articles
- College Sports Media Professionals Articles
- Hall of Fame Member Articles
- Former College Player Articles
- Game Previews
