The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Indiana: a football coaching history

Power Program II#21 of 138–
See Indiana’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Curt Cignetti
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
Curt Cignetti
Regional Program I → Power Program II (+26.6)
The fall
Clyde Smith
Power Program III → National Program III (−15.5)
Right now
Curt Cignetti
already the greatest coach in Indiana history by the numbers

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)McMillinCrimminsDickensPontCorsoMalloryCameronWilsonAllen19401960198020002020

Every coach

2024–now
Curt Cignettibuilder🏆 COY
Curt Cignetti raised Indiana from Regional Program I to Power Program II.
+26.6
27–2
2016–2023
Tom Allencaretaker🏆 COY
Tom Allen moved Indiana from Regional Program II to National Program III in 8 seasons.
+9.2
33–49
2011–2016
Kevin Wilsoncaretaker
Kevin Wilson moved Indiana from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.
Regional Program II
26–47
2007–2010
Bill Lynchcaretaker
Bill Lynch held Indiana at Regional Program III for 4 seasons.
Regional Program III
19–30
2005–2006
Terry Hoeppnershort tenure
9–14
2002–2004
Gerry DiNardocaretaker
Gerry DiNardo held Indiana at Regional Program II for 3 seasons.
Regional Program II
8–27
1997–2001
Cam Cameroncaretaker
Cam Cameron slid Indiana from National Program III to Regional Program I in 5 seasons.
Regional Program I
18–37
1984–1996
Bill Mallorybuilder
Bill Mallory raised Indiana from Regional Program III to National Program III.
+15.7
68–78
1983–1983
Sam Wycheshort tenure
3–8
1973–1982
Lee Corsocaretaker
Lee Corso held Indiana at Regional Program II for 10 seasons.
Regional Program II
41–68
1965–1972
John Pontcaretaker
John Pont moved Indiana from Regional Program I to National Program III in 8 seasons.
National Program III
31–51
1958–1964
Phil Dickenscaretaker
Phil Dickens moved Indiana from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 7 seasons.
Regional Program I
20–41
1957–1957
Bob Hicksshort tenure
1–8
1952–1956
Bernie Crimminscaretaker
Bernie Crimmins held Indiana at National Program III for 5 seasons.
National Program III
13–32
1948–1951
Clyde Smithcaretaker
Clyde Smith slid Indiana from Power Program III to National Program I in 4 seasons.
−15.5
8–27
1936–1947
Bo McMillincaretaker
Bo McMillin held Indiana at Power Program III for 12 seasons.
Power Program III
56–42