IU Football Coach Curt Cignetti Outlines The Hoosiers Spring Practice Goals

Written By: Ben Gillard (@benjgillard)

Fresh off of a historic 11-2 season, the Hoosiers are looking to build on their success heading into the 2025 season, with their sights firmly set on a National Championship. The road to the College Football Playoffs began on Saturday as the Hoosiers completed their first spring practice. Following practice, head coach Curt Cignetti met with the media to discuss what he has seen from the team so far.

Cignetti opened the press conference by saying: 

“The drill is we’ve got to get better every day, develop consistency in performance day in, day out, practice to a high standard, and that’s how you improve. We’ll keep throwing more at them every single day. The first day it's a certain part of the menu, and we’ve got 13 practices and 10 days of install … We’re going to get three in before spring break, come back, get about a four-day break, get rehydrated, and do number four the following Thursday. That’s where we’re at.”

One area that will get a lot of attention this offseason is the new-look quarterback room. When asked about new QB coach Chandler Whitmer, Cignetti said, “He’s learning our system, what are our standards, our expectations. He’s been in NFL football for the last four years in various roles. The NFL is different than college, so it’s a transition for him. This will be a good spring for him.” 

In addition to Coach Chandler, the Hoosiers have a new QB in Cal transfer Fernando Mendoza. When asked about Mendoza’s first practice with the Hoosiers, Coach Cig said,

“I thought he did good. The big thing we’re going to be working on with him this spring is getting the ball out of his hand on rhythm…Most of the guys the first two weeks, they’re thinking and playing at the same time, and then the last two weeks they’re playing more than they’re thinking. I suspect it’ll be the same way with him. We’re very high on him.”

One major advantage Fernando Mendoza has at Indiana is his younger brother, QB Alberto Mendoza. “I’ve never had that before, but I know the young one will push the old one as hard as he can, and he’s got a good future. Two great kids.” Coach Cig explained.

Cignetti ended the press conference by saying, “Look, this is a football team that didn’t finish the season very well. Went up and played in the College Football Playoff and didn’t play like we wanted to play. We have some things to prove. But that’s all in the past. These are a whole bunch of new guys, a new team. Every team in America is pretty much that way, probably 90 percent of them. Everyone is 0-0 right now, and they will be heading into game one in the fall. It’s all earned, not given, between the white lines.”

While the Hoosiers may not have finished the 2024 season how they wanted to, they enter the 2025 season with a chip on their shoulder, hungry for more success. A great spring season is a good indicator of how a team will perform in the fall, and if day one is any indication, there is a lot to be excited for in 2025.