The 2026 college football season hasn’t kicked off yet, but Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti already has fresh motivation plastered on his bulletin board—courtesy of the ESPYs.
During a lively appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Cignetti didn’t hold back his frustration after his Hoosiers were snubbed for the “Best Team” award at the annual ceremony. The honor went to the New York Knicks, who ended a 53-year championship drought for their passionate fanbase. But Cignetti made it clear he believes his squad deserved the nod just as much—if not more.
“You know that natty 16-0 hadn’t happened in 136 years,” Cignetti said with a wry smile. “Now how that team doesn’t win a certain award as the team of the year, you know, but some networks are consistent in getting it wrong.”
He later softened his stance slightly after learning the ESPYs rely heavily on fan voting. “You’re not beating them [New York fans], and there’s a lot of deserving teams in there,” he conceded. Still, the coach’s competitive fire was unmistakable.
Indiana’s 2025 campaign was nothing short of miraculous. The Hoosiers completed one of the most dramatic turnarounds in sports history, finishing a perfect 16-0 and capturing the national title for the first time in program history. It was a feat that hadn’t been accomplished in over a century, making the snub sting even more for Cignetti and his team.
The coach is known for finding any edge to fuel his squad, and this slight is no exception. As Indiana prepares to defend its title this fall, fans can expect Cignetti to use every ounce of perceived disrespect as motivation. The season opens at home against North Texas on FOX.
The ESPYs have drawn criticism before for questionable choices. This year’s ceremony also sparked backlash over a tasteless joke about Tiger Woods, and the Savannah Bananas’ opening act didn’t sit well with many viewers. But for Cignetti, the snub is personal—and he’s already channeling it into fuel for the upcoming season.
Whether the Hoosiers can replicate their historic run remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Curt Cignetti won’t let a perceived slight go quietly into the night.
