Indiana extends Curt Cignetti on massive 8-year deal as Penn State loses out on coaching target

Joel Klatt joins Colin Cowherd to discuss Penn State’s search for a new head coach, whether USC can be trusted as a contender, and Indiana establishing themselves as title contenders after beating Oregon.

If the Nittany Lions were banking on Curt Cignetti heading to State College, they need to go to Plan B. 

Indiana University agreed to a massive eight-year contract extension with Cignetti, their head football coach, making him the third-highest paid coach in college football. 

Cignetti’s new deal is worth $93 million over eight years, giving him an estimated $11.6 million per season. The contract runs through Nov. 30, 2033. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti enters Kinnick Stadium before a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes Sept. 27. (Jeffrey Becker/Imagn Images)

This extension comes after rumors of Cignetti being a coach Penn State could pursue to replace James Franklin, who was fired after three straight losses this season. 

"At Indiana University, we are committed to performing at the highest levels in everything we do, and no one has exemplified that more than Coach Cignetti," Pamela Whitten, Indiana University’s president, said in a statement. "Put simply, Cig is a winner."

PENN STATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR EXPLAINS DECISION TO FIRE HEAD COACH JAMES FRANKLIN: 'I FELT IT WAS TIME'

Cignetti is behind only Georgia’s Kirby Smart ($13.3 million per season) and Ohio State’s Ryan Day ($12.6 million).

"From last year’s College Football Playoff appearance to this year’s top-3 national ranking, the IU Football program’s success has been tremendous. Curt and Manette Cignetti are home in Indiana and are delighted that the Cignetti family will be Hoosiers for many years to