You hear about these situations at traditional football powerhouses: A high-profile coaching job comes open, and a school sweetens its coach's contract to encourage him to stay.

That sort of thing doesn't happen at Indiana football ... until now.

IU extended coach Curt Cignetti's contract on Thursday, pushing him into the top five salaries nationally . At $11.6 million annually through 2033, Cignetti's deal pays him more than the coaches at places like Alabama, Miami (Florida), USC, Texas, Notre Dame, etc.

Such a scenario was unthinkable less that two years ago, when Cignetti was making $677,311 at James Madison and IU was on its way to a 3-9 record in Tom Allen's final season as coach.

College football reacts to Curt Cignetti's contract extension at Indiana football

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