Keep in mind, Indiana only has like 7 or 8 4-5 star guys on their team. Mendoza was a 3 star, for example. By contrast, Alabama has something like 58. Cigneti is just the king of putting a fully complementary team together.
I just started a thread about Cig really hitting the jackpot with his 1st two Indy qbs. You can read it if you want but I think Rourke and Mendoza were key to Indy being 8-4 and near perfect for 2 seasons. This is what Iowa has to get to, a very good passing and running offense, scoring a lot to go with our usual very good to great defense.
As long as Cignetti is at Indiana, that team is a national power.
As long as Cignetti is the head coach.
And Rivals only had Mendoza as a 2 star player as well. If that team gets loaded with 4+ star players, yikes!
As long as Cig gets the dollars for the transfer portal and his assistants stay they will be good. They said his DC and OC are getting $3M, wow.
Even with this dominant team, they very well could have and should have lost to Iowa and Penn State this season. Also, as you saw last night, EVERY break has gone their way this season. Fumbles bouncing directly into their arms, Projected first round quarterbacks making unforced mistakes you would expect out of Deacon Hill. Opposing back-up quarterbacks not completing a simple 5-yard swing pass. (Iowa game)
Fernado has been off the charts in the playoffs. Hard to envision anyone duplicating his performances.
The spending spree that is about to happen with teams trying to keep up with Indiana will be off the charts.
They just got those deals last month and I think it's just the DC making $3 million. The OC is making around $2milion. They've proven they're one of the best staffs around. Now they're getting paid like it.
are these the same guys who were getting paid peanuts for years at jmu? if so really happy for them
That's where everyone came from, so I assume that's the case. The truth is that none of them were making big dollars even after arriving at Indiana 2 years ago. Cignetti himself was one of the lowest paid HC's in the B1G at $4 million per year. This didn't all happen because Indiana spent a bunch of money. They spent a bunch of money after they realized what they had in Cignetti and his staff.
I don't know the Indians DC's name off the top of my head, but last night on the broadcast they were showing him on the sidelines and the announcer said "best Defensive Coordinator in College Football" or something along that line.
Cooper DeJean and Jack Campbell.
So Mendoza and Rourke were both good Qb's when they arrived at Indiana, but neither one was expected to put up anything like the kind of numbers they did or win a Heisman. They have a system and know how to identify the talent that fits into that system. It wouldn't shock me if Hoover has a similar breakout season.
Mendoza and rourke were both picked for their accuracy , Hoover doesnt fit that profile
