How Curt Cignetti gave the Indiana football team the “winning mentality”

Every joke whistled and every witty remark served only one purpose: the development of what quickly became known as the “winning mentality.”

In its simplest form, that mentality is about swagger, confidence and never giving in. In modern terms, it’s about aura. Regardless of the parameters, Cignetti believes in that attitude to a high degree and it’s pervasive throughout the team, said Mike Katic, who has played on the offensive line for six years.

“I think Coach Cig brings that when he walks into every room,” Katic said. “He has that confidence, that winning mentality, and all the coaches follow his example. All the transfers from JMU bring that too. So it’s just everyone coming together, a big melting pot of players and coaches – there’s a big winning mentality, and I’m excited to see how it goes.”

Carpenter noted that James Madison’s transfer players have a responsibility to instill Cignetti’s attitude in the returning Hoosiers. Senior linebacker Jailin Walker, who played at James Madison the last three years, said he tries to instill it in the rest of the locker room.

Walker got that mentality from Cignetti. Winning was a foreign concept for Indiana, which went 9-27 over the last three seasons, so Cignetti overhauled the program’s roster, culture and mindset.

The result, Carpenter said, was a significant improvement in the “aura” in the Hoosiers’ locker room.

“When we came here in the spring, it might not have been as strong,” Carpenter said. “But I think now, in the winter, in spring training and especially in fall camp, the guys are noticing it. I think we’re on the right track.”

Lawton originally planned to enter the NFL Draft after the 2022 season. His journey continued for two more years of college, both of which he spent with Cignetti. This spring, he became one of four transfer running backs.

Although Lawton wanted to continue his playing career after college, he enjoyed the depth and challenging competition. Why? The fun of winning – something he hopes to experience again in the fall.

“Just the winning mentality,” said Lawton. “I just wanted to have that winning feeling again. Last year 11-1 [at James Madison]I have the feeling that we can do it again this year.”

Cignetti stands on the sideline with a play sheet in one hand and a pen in the other. It’s August 19, and Cignetti’s head is turned to the right as he watches Indiana’s offense run red zone simulations. After watching the game, Cignetti takes notes on his sheet, describing what he likes — and doesn’t like — about the game.

This is nothing new for coaching, but it is for Indiana.

Former Indiana head coach Tom Allen, who was fired at the end of last season for underperformance, was known for his energy, bouncing happily around the practice field and stopping at every position on both sides of the ball, often carrying a megaphone.

Cignetti doesn’t need the megaphone. He is, however, intentional with what he says. When the Hoosiers practiced a play-action passing concept on Aug. 19, Cignetti yelled at McCulley and teammate Ke’Shawn Williams to stand closer to the line of scrimmage, communicate and point to the blocked player in hopes of communicating the fake handoff part of the play to opponents.

At other times, Cignetti pulls his players aside.

During practice on Aug. 13, Omar Cooper Jr., a redshirt sophomore receiver, ran an over route from one side of the field to the other, but not as far up the field as Cignetti wanted. So Cignetti, 63, explained to Cooper, 20, how to run the route, noting that he expected more from the Indianapolis native.

“On the field, he’s going to coach you with tough love,” Cooper said. “But at the end of the day, he’s going to come back to you and tell you if he’s happy with your performance and just try to gradually get closer and find a way to get closer.”

Six days after his moment with Cooper, Cignetti watched Williams run a flat route to the left sideline. When the horn sounded to end the second practice session, Cignetti took five seconds to critique Williams’ route.

Cignetti’s coaching style is different from what Indiana had with Allen last year – and different, Cooper said, is better.

“I like Coach Allen, but last year he wasn’t as strict with us and didn’t yell at us to pick up the pace,” Cooper said. “The fast practice last year was a little slower, so that was a little different. But I actually like that it’s fast and we can push through and go from one station to the next.”

McCulley bore the brunt of Cignetti’s tough coaching this spring — at least publicly — when Cignetti said he needed to raise his level of play. McCulley, Indiana’s best receiver last season, told Cignetti this winter he wanted to be coached intensely, something he experienced at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, but not so much under Allen.

The dramatic change in personality from the ebullient Allen to the ice-cold Cignetti forced McCulley to adjust. Lawton, who experienced a similar culture shock when he transferred from Stony Brook to James Madison, said he now understands — and appreciates — Cignetti’s style.

“He’s a damn good coach,” Lawton said. “I feel like he doesn’t really do anything wrong. He takes care of us. Some days we have practice. Other days he cancels it and gives us the day off. He takes very good care of his players.”

Jamier Johnson, redshirt junior defensive back and one of the players transferred from last year’s Hoosiers team, said Cignetti has instilled professionalism, winning formulas and the notion that every day is a work day into the team.

That hasn’t always been the case under Allen — especially as the last three seasons have flown by. Katic, a captain, said it’s been difficult in 2023 to keep his teammates focused on their mission and together. He also said the Hoosiers won’t have such problems this year because Cignetti is running the show.

“I think last year as a team we didn’t really stay in touch as the season went on,” Katic said. “People checked out early. When we knew we weren’t bowl eligible, the guys just didn’t practice hard and didn’t play hard. I think the level that Coach Cig brings isn’t going to be there.”

At every stop, from IUP to Elon and James Madison, Cignetti has won, and won quickly. Shanahan believes this early success is due to Cignetti setting the right priorities and helping players develop habits that will help them win.

But it’s also about developing a certain mindset, Shanahan says, that includes dealing with adversity, accepting the company culture and having an unwavering belief in your team’s success.

Now the Hoosiers will try to put their mentality into action – and Cignetti’s era officially begins on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Florida International University at Memorial Stadium.

Much is new for the Hoosiers, from the players on the field to the food stands off the field. But there is something new in the locker room, too: an identity, a mission built on results, not rhetoric.

Follow reporters Daniel Flick (@ByDanielFlick) and Dalton James (@DaltonMJames) and columnist Jhett Garrett (@jhettgarrett) for updates throughout the Indiana football season.