James Madison University Confirms Curt Cignetti's Move To Indiana

After reports surfaced Thursday afternoon that JMU head football coach Curt Cignetti would accept the open role at Indiana University, JMU have confirmed Cignetti's impending departure with a formal statement.

"I want to thank for his dedication and commitment to excellence as head football coach at James Madison," Athletic Director Jeff Bourne said. "He successfully steered JMU football through a critical period in our history. With our reclassification period now complete, James Madison is firmly established as one of the top Group of Five programs in the country and an ideal destination as we head into a 12-team playoff era."

Cignetti amassed a 19-4 record at JMU since the Dukes moved to FBS. Cignetti's full comments from the statement are below.

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"This was a really difficult decision and I really wrestled with it hard. These were the best five years of my professional life. We accomplished a lot every year but particularly the last two and this season was so special. I had total intentions and plans to retire here. I had a great job. The university really upped their commitment and did everything possible to keep me and the staff here. They couldn't have done any more than they did. I thank Jeff Bourne and President Jon Alger for that and for their tremendous support during our tenure here. JMU is a special place in so many different ways. They're going to continue to have great success in the future. It will be a very attractive opportunity. I'll miss the players who are returning, the relationships we've formed, the people who love and care about JMU football, the donor base, the fans and the relationships that my wife Manette and I have developed in our time in Harrisonburg. This is really hard to leave, but sometimes you have to make hard decisions and get uncomfortable again to grow, and I'm too young to stop growing. This is a challenge, a big challenge, but I'm confident like all the other challenges I've had in my career as a head coach that we're going to open some eyes nationally and in the Big Ten Conference. I will miss JMU and have nothing but fond memories, and I know the history is great here and the people are even better. Go Dukes!"

Per Chris Vannini of The Athletic, Cignetti plans to coach the Dukes in their upcoming bowl game. Vannini also reports that JMU offered Cignetti a contract that would have made him the highest paid coach in the Sun Belt.

JMU will learn their bowl fate following the conclusion of conference championship weekend. No word yet on what assistants will be following Cignetti.