Indiana’s Curt Cignetti Is Unanimous Big Ten Coach Of The Year

The Big Ten announced its postseason awards on Tuesday as Cignetti took home the only individual honor for the Hoosiers.

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti reacts in the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Memorial Stadium. / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Big Ten has two football coach of the year awards – one voted by the media and the other by fellow coaches.

Indiana’s Curt Cignetti swept both honors. The first-year Indiana coach won both the Hayes-Schembechler (conference coaches) and Dave McClain (media) Awards.

The Big Ten announced its postseason awards on Tuesday.

Cignetti became the first Indiana coach to earn Big Ten Coach of the Year honors since Tom Allen won it in 2020. Cignetti joins Allen and Bill Mallory (1986) as Indiana coaches to win conference coach of the year honors.

Indiana improved from a 3-9 season in 2023 under Allen to an 11-1 season and a probable College Football Playoff berth in Cignetti’s first season. Indiana has a record win total and won eight Big Ten games for the first time in school history.

“Based on the expectations prior to the season by the media and pretty much everybody else across the country, what we ended up getting done on the field it was a historic year for Indiana football,” Cignetti told Big Ten Network on Tuesday.

Cignetti is the only non-Ohio State or non-Michigan coach first-year Big Ten coach to begin 10-0 overall. Indiana also placed ahead of both Ohio State and Michigan in the Big Ten standings for the first time since 1967.

He has won coach of the year awards in four different conferences and was asked what the common theme of success is.

“You’ve got to have the right kind of people in your organization, players and coaches, and you’ve got to get everybody to think alike, that's bottom line,” Cignetti said. “That's my job during the season, everybody's got to be focused on the same thing. And I think that's what this team has done really well.”

Indiana players did not receive additional individual awards from the Big Ten, despite having both units ranked in the top 25 nationally in their respective categories.

Indiana’s defense, ranked second in the country, was well-represented on the All-Big Ten first team. Defensive end Mikail Kamara, linebacker Aiden Fisher and cornerback D'Angelo Ponds all made the first team.

However, Indiana did not receive any individual awards on the defensive side. Penn State's Abdul Carter got the Defensive Player of the Year award along with Defensive Lineman of the Year. Iowa’s Jay Higgins was the Linebacker Of the Year. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs was Defensive Back of the Year.

Indiana had no offensive players on the All-Big Ten first team. Oregon’s Dillon Gabriel was All-Big Ten first team quarterback over Kurtis Rourke.

This in spite of the fact Rourke won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week three times, led the Big Ten in passing efficiency, and was tied for the Big Ten lead in touchdown passes with 27.

Rourke was an All-Big Ten second team selection. Wide receiver Elijah Sarratt and center Mike Katic were All-Big Ten third team selections, though Katic was a media-only selection.

Honorable mentions are split by coaches and media teams. Katic was honorable mention on the coaches team.

Running back Justice Ellison, tight end Zach Horton and tackle Carter Smith were unanimous honorable mention selections on the offensive side. Wide receiver Myles Price was a honorable mention selection on the media team.

Defensive tackles James Carpenter and CJ West and linebacker Jailin Walker were unanimous honorable mention selections on the defensive side. Defensive end Lanell Carr Jr. and safety Shawn Asbury II were media-only honorable mention selections.

Long snapper Mark Langston was a unanimous honorable mention on special teams. Kicker Nicolas Radicic and punt returner Price were media-only honorable mention selections.

Big Ten individual awards

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti enters the stadium prior to the game at Memorial Stadium. / Robert Goddin-Imagn Images

Graham-George Offensive Player of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year: Abdul Carter, Penn State

Thompson-Randle El Freshman of the Year: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year (coaches vote): Curt Cignetti, Indiana

Dave McClain Coach of the Year (media vote): Curt Cignetti, Indiana

Griese-Brees Quarterback of the Year: Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

Richter-Howard Receiver of the Year: Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

Ameche-Dayne Running Back of the Year: Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

Kwalick-Clark Tight End of the Year: Tyler Warren, Penn State

Rimington-Pace Offensive Lineman of the Year: Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

Smith-Brown Defensive Lineman of the Year: Abdul Carter, Penn State

Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year: Jay Higgins, Iowa

Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year: Caleb Downs, Ohio State

Bakken-Andersen Kicker of the Year: Dominic Zvada, Michigan

Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year: Eddie Czaplicki, USC

Rodgers-Dwight Return Specialist of the Year: Kaden Wetjen, Iowa

Post-playing honors

Dungy-Thompson Humanitarian Award: Madieu Williams, Maryland

Ford-Kinnick Leadership Award: Russell Wilson, Wisconsin

All-Big Ten teams

Offense

Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel runs for a touchdown during his team's game against Oregon State, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024 at Reser Stadium in Corvallis. / Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

(players named were selections on both the coaches and media teams unless noted)

First team

QB – Dillon Gabriel, Oregon

RB – Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

RB – Kyle Monangai, Rutgers

WR – Tai Felton, Maryland

WR – Jeremiah Smith, Ohio State

TE – Tyler Warren, Penn State

C – Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State (coaches only)

C – Logan Jones, Iowa (media only)

G – Connor Colby, Iowa

G – Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

T – Aireontae Ersery, Minnesota

T – Josh Conerly Jr., Oregon

Second team

QB – Kurtis Rourke, Indiana

RB – Jordan James, Oregon

RB – Woody Marks, USC

WR – Pat Bryant, Illinois

WR – Tez Johnson, Oregon

TE – Colston Loveland, Michigan

C – Seth McLaughlin, Ohio State (media only)

C – Logan Jones, Iowa (coaches only)

G – Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State

G – Emmanuel Pregnon, USC

T – Hollin Pierce, Rutgers

T – Gennings Dunker, Iowa (coaches only)

T – Ajani Cornelius, Oregon (media only)

Third team

QB – Will Howard, Ohio State

RB – TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

RB – Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State (coaches only)

RB – Kalel Mullings, Michigan (media only)

RB – Jonah Coleman, Washington (media only)

WR – Elijah Sarratt, Indiana

WR – Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

TE – Max Klare, Purdue (coaches only)

TE – Terrance Ferguson, Oregon (media only)

C – Jonah Monheim, USC (coaches only)

C – Mike Katic, Indiana (media only)

G – Marcus Harper II, Oregon (coaches only)

G – Josh Priebe, Michigan (media only)

G – Joe Huber, Wisconsin (coaches only)

G – Sal Wormley, Penn State (media only)

T – J.C. Davis, Illinois (coaches only)

T – Josh Simmons, Ohio State (media only)

T – Ajani Cornelius, Oregon (coaches only)

T – Gennings Dunker, Iowa (media only)

Coaches honorable mentions

Illinois: Luke Altmyer, Josh Kreutz, Josh Gesky, Melvin Priestly; Indiana: Justice Ellison, Zach Horton, Mike Katic, Carter Smith; Iowa: Beau Stephens, Mason Richman; Michigan: Kalel Mullings, Donovan Edwards, Josh Priebe, Giovanni El-Hadi, Myles Hinton; Michigan State: Luke Newman; Minnesota: Daniel Jackson, Darius Taylor, Tyler Cooper; Nebraska: Bryce Benhart; Northwestern: Josh Thompson, Caleb Tiernan; Ohio State: Tegra Tshabola, Josh Fryar, Josh Simmons; Oregon: Evan Stewart, Traeshon Holden, Iapani Laloulu; Penn State: Drew Allar, Nicholas Singleton, Sal Wormley, Drew Shelton, Anthony Donkoh; Purdue: Gus Hartwig, Marcus Mbow; Rutgers: Ian Strong, Kwabena Asamoah; USC: Makai Lemon, Lake McRee, Elijah Paige; Washington: Denzel Boston, Jonah Coleman, Keleki Latu; Wisconsin: Tawee Walker, Jack Nelson.

Media honorable mentions

Illinois:  J.C. Davis, Josh Gesky, Josh Kreutz, Luke Altmyer; Indiana: Carter Smith, Justice Ellison, Myles Price, Zach Horton; Iowa: Beau Stephens, Luke Lachey, Mason Richman; Michigan: Giovanni El-Hadi, Myles Hinton; Michigan State: Luke Newman; Minnesota: Daniel Jackson, Darius Taylor, Quinn Carroll, Tyler Cooper; Nebraska: Ben Scott; Northwestern: Caleb Tiernan, Josh Thompson; Ohio State: Josh Fryar, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson; Oregon: Iapani Laloulu, Marcus Harper II; Penn State: Anthony Donkoh, Drew Allar, Drew Shelton, Harrison Wallace III, Kaytron Allen, Nicholas Singleton, Nick Dawkins; Purdue: Gus Hartwig, Max Klare; Rutgers: Gus Zilinskas, Kwabena Asamoah; USC: Jonah Monheim, Makai Lemon; Washington: Denzel Boston; Wisconsin: Jack Nelson, Joe Huber, Tawee Walker.

Defense

Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter (11) pressures Maryland Terrapins quarterback MJ Morris (7) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. / Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images

(players named were selections on both the coaches and media teams unless noted)

First team

DL – Mikail Kamara, Indiana

DL – Mason Graham, Michigan

DL – Abdul Carter, Penn State

DL – JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (coaches only)

DL – Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon (media only)

LB – Aiden Fisher, Indiana

LB – Jay Higgins, Iowa

LB – Carson Schwesinger, UCLA

LB – Cody Lindenburg, Minnesota (coaches only)

LB – Cody Simon, Ohio State (media only)

DB – D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana

DB – Koi Perich, Minnesota

DB – Caleb Downs, Ohio State

DB – Lathan Ranson, Ohio State (coaches only)

DB – Xavier Scott, Illinois (media only)

Second team

DL – Kenneth Grant, Michigan

DL – Josaiah Stewart, Michigan

DL – Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (coaches only)

DL – Derrick Harmon, Oregon (media only)

DL – Matayo Uiagalelei, Oregon (coaches only)

DL – JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State (media only)

LB – Bryce Boettcher, Oregon

LB – Sonny Styles, Ohio State

LB – Kobe King, Penn State

LB – Cody Lindenberg, Minnesota (media only)

DB – Jaylen Reed, Penn State

DB – Xavier Scott, Illinois (coaches only)

DB – Lathan Ransom, Ohio State (media only)

DB – Justin Walley, Minnesota (coaches only)

DB – Will Johnson, Michigan (media only)

DB – Theran Johnson, Northwestern (coaches only)

DB – Jabbar Muhammad, Oregon (media only)

Third team

DL – Gabe Jacas, Illinois

DL – Ty Robinson, Nebraska

DL – Jordan Burch, Oregon

DL – Derrick Harmon, Oregon (coaches only)

DL – Jack Sawyer, Ohio State (media only)

DL – Tyleik Williams, Ohio State (coaches only)

LB – Carson Bruener, Washington

LB – Kain Medrano, UCLA (coaches only)

LB – Kydran Jenkins, Purdue (media only)

LB – Cody Simon, Ohio State (coaches only)

LB – Dariel Ojaborne, Rutgers (media only)

DB – Sebastian Castro, Iowa

DB – Jermari Harris, Iowa

DB – A.J. Harris, Penn State

DB – Jaylin Smith, USC (coaches only)

DB – Denzel Burke, Ohio State (media only)

Coaches honorable mentions

Illinois: Dylan Rosiek, TeRah Edwards; Indiana: CJ West, Jailin Walker, James Carpenter; Iowa: Aaron Graves, Ethan Hurkett, Nick Jackson, Quinn Schulte, Yahya Black; Maryland: Dante Trader Jr.; Michigan: Derrick Moore, Ernest Hausmann, Will Johnson, Zeke Berry; Michigan State: Charles Brantley, Jordan Turner; Minnesota: Anthony Smith, Danny Striggow, Ethan Robinson, Jah Joyner; Nebraska: John Bullock, Malcolm Hartzog Jr., Nash Hutmacher; Northwestern: Aidan Hubbard, Anto Saka, Damon Walters, Xander Mueller; Ohio State: Davison Igbinosun, Denzel Burke, Ty Hamilton; Oregon: Jabbar Muhammad, Jamaree Caldwell, Jeff Bassa, Nikko Reed, Teitum Tuioti, Tysheem Johnson; Penn State: Tony Rojas, Zane Durant; Purdue: Dillon Thieneman, Kydran Jenkins, Will Heldt; Rutgers: Dariel Djabome, Kyonte Hamilton, Robert Longerbeam; UCLA: Jay Toia, Kaylin Moore; USC: Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Gavin Meyer, Kamari Ramsey; Washington: Alphonzo Tuputala, Sebastian Valdez, Thaddeus Dixon; Wisconsin: Hunter Wohler, Ricardo Hallman.

Media honorable mentions

Illinois: Dylan Rosiek, Matthew Bailey; Indiana: CJ West, Jailin Walker, James Carpenter, Lanell Carr Jr., Shawn Asbury II; Iowa: Aaron Graves, Deontae Craig, Ethan Hurkett, Nick Jackson, Quinn Schulte, Yahya Black; Maryland: Dante Trader Jr., Glendon Miller, Ruben Hyppolite II; Michigan: Ernest Hausmann; Michigan State: Charles Brantley, Jordan Turner, Khris Bogle; Minnesota: Anthony Smith; Danny Striggow, Ethan Robinson, Jah Joyner, Jalen Logan-Redding, Justin Walley, Maverick Baranowski; Nebraska: DeShon Singleton, John Bullock, Malcolm Hartzog Jr., Nash Hutmacher; Northwestern: Aidan Hubbard, Devin Turner, Mac Uihlein, Theran Johnson, Xander Mueller; Ohio State: Davison Igbinosun, Jack Sawyer, Jordan Hancock, Sonny Styles, Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams; Oregon: Brandon Johnson, Jamaree Caldwell, Jeff Bassa, Nikko Reed, Teitum Tuioti, Tysheem Johnson; Penn State: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Dvon J-Thomas, Jalen Kimber, Zakee Wheatley, Zane Durant; Purdue: Cole Brevard, Dillon Thieneman; Rutgers: Aaron Lewis, Kyonte Hamilton, Robert Longerbeam, Shaquan Loyal, Tyreem Powell; UCLA: Jay Toia, Kain Medrano, Kaylin Moore; USC: Easton Mascarenas-Arnold, Jaylin Smith, Kamari Ramsey, Mason Cobb; Wisconsin: Hunter Wohler, Ricardo Hallman.

Special teams

Michigan place kicker Dominic Zvada (96) scores a field goal against Ohio State as Tommy Doman (19) holds the ball during the second half at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. / Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

(players named were selections on both the coaches and media teams unless noted)

First team

K – Dominic Zvada, Michigan

P – Eddie Czaplicki, USC

Return specialist – Kaden Wetjen, Iowa

Long snapper – William Wagner, Michigan (coaches only)

Long snapper – Luke Basso, Oregon (media only)

Second team

K – Jonathan Kim, Michigan State

P – Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (coaches only)

P – Rhys Dakin, Iowa (media only)

Return specialist – Tez Johnson, Oregon (coaches only)

Return specialist – Koi Perich, Minnesota (media only)

Long snapper – Luke Basso, Oregon (coaches only)

Long snapper – Luke Elkin, Iowa (media only)

Third team

K – Drew Stevens, Iowa

P – Rhys Dakin, Iowa (coaches only)

P – Ryan Eckley, Michigan State (media only)

Return specialist – Makai Lemon, USC (coaches only)

Return specialist – Hank Beatty, Illinois (media only)

Long snapper – Hank Pepper, USC (coaches only)

Long snapper – Tyler Duzanky, Penn State (media only)

Coaches honorable mentions

Illinois: Hank Beatty, Lane Hansen, David Olano; Indiana: Mark Langston; Iowa: Luke Elkin; Maryland: Bryce McFerson; Michigan: Semaj Morgan; Minnesota: Koi Perich, Alan Soukup; Nebraska: Brian Buschini; Northwestern: Joe Himon; Ohio State: John Ferlmann, Oregon: Atticus Sappington; Penn State: Tyler Duzansky, Ryan Barker; Purdue: Nick Levy, Keelan Crimmins; Rutgers: Austin Riggs; Wisconsin: Atticus Bertrams.

Media honorable mentions

Illinois: Lane Hansen; Indiana: Mark Langston, Myles Price, Nicolas Radicic; Maryland: Bryce McFerson; Michigan: William Wagner; Minnesota: Alan Soukup, Dragan Kesich, Mark Crawford; Nebraska: Brian Buschini; Northwestern: AJ Henning; Ohio State: John Ferlmann; Oregon: Ross James, Tez Johnson; Penn State: Nicholas Singleton, Ryan Barker; Purdue: Keelan Crimmins; Rutgers: Austin Riggs; USC: Hank Pepper, Makai Lemon; Wisconsin: Atticus Bertrams.

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