Paul Finebaum questions if Curt Cignetti is one of college football’s top coaches
By Luke Greco
Published:
Paul Finebaum joined Stephen A. Smith on First Take Friday morning to discuss Curt Cignetti’s new 8-year/$93 million deal, and Finebaum is convinced Indiana did not make the right move.
Finebaum slammed the decision from Indiana on his show earlier this week, and on Friday morning, he doubled down on his take. Smith asked Finebaum if Indiana made the right move, and Finebaum answered clearly, they did not.
However, it’s not because he believes Cignetti is not doing a good job. Finebaum said that signing coaches to massive extensions this early into their tenure is how college football programs get into trouble.
“We’re barely at the midpoint. Let it play out before you completely send the Brinks truck up,” Finebaum said.
Finebaum went on to say that Cignetti has maybe 1.5 big wins and asked Indiana to just let it play out a little bit. He referenced Mel Tucker, James Franklin, and Jimbo Fisher as coaches who were all given massive extensions early into their tenure that didn’t play out how the programs expected.
Cignetti has led Indiana to a 17-2 record so far, with a College Football Playoff berth last season. With a favorable back-half schedule, Indiana is primed to make its second straight CFP appearance.
