Indeed, Cignetti has never coached a down of professional football, following in the footsteps of his father Frank Cignetti Sr. (his brother, Frank Cignetti Jr., has spent over a decade on and off in the NFL). Curt, 64, has built the Hoosiers into a national power in just two years, going 26-2 since his 2024 arrival.

They sit roughly 40 feet apart, on the precipice of one of the greatest moments sports have ever known, and the two engineers of this incredible football season have never looked more different than they do right now.

Indiana plays fast, but it really thrives on efficiency and execution. That's all ties back to how Cignetti builds his offense.