‘I’m told by people that I trust’ – Insider shares whether Penn State has a legitimate chance to swipe Curt Cignetti from Indiana
The Penn State Nittany Lions’ search for a new head coach is officially underway after firing James Franklin this past weekend. Penn State is expected to target some big names.
One of the top names the Penn State Nittany Lions could target to replace James Franklin is Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti.
Cignetti, who is from Pittsburgh and played college football at West Virginia, is in his second season at Indiana.
The former Alabama Crimson Tide assistant coach led Indiana to the College Football Playoff last season, and he has the Hoosiers off to a 6-0 start this season, including a road win over the Oregon Ducks.
It’s easy to see why Cignetti might be at the top of the wish list for Penn State fans, especially considering his ties to Pennsylvania.
But would Cignetti actually leave Indiana after just two seasons?
Insider shares whether Penn State has a legitimate chance to steal Curt Cignetti from Indiana
Longtime NFL draft analyst and insider Todd McShay, who is self-described as being “dialed in” at Penn State, detailed this week whether Cignetti can be a legitimate option for the Nittany Lions.
“I also have information on that side, and Cignetti wants to build that thing at Indiana,” said McShay. “It would take a lot to get him away from that place. And Indiana has money, even though it’s known as a basketball school; they’re going to make sure that they keep their guy and do everything they can. And so maybe [Penn State is] a non-starter.
“But I’m also told by people that I trust, if there’s one place — everyone says, Cignetti, the wins, Google me, right? Everyone knows that quote. Also, Google his background, his bio, where he’s from — that kind of Western PA (area). I’m told that if he were to be lured somewhere, if there was some place that maybe he couldn’t say no to, even though he wants desperately to build IU into one of the elites, and he’s on that track….this (Penn State) may be his weak spot. Kind of that sweet treat that everyone falls victim to. So that is very much something to keep an eye on.”
Cignetti is undoubtedly focused right now on getting Indiana to the College Football Playoff and competing for a national championship. If he becomes a major factor in this search, it won’t be until much later in the calendar.
Buckle up, Penn State fans, it should be a wild ride over the next couple of months.
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