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Bret Bielema praises Indiana's turnaround to college football national title

2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 29, 2026, 8:20 AM

Last updated Jul 29, 2026

Bret Bielema praises Indiana's turnaround to college football national title

Summary

Chicago hosted Big Ten Media Days, where Illinois football coach Bret Bielema called Indiana's national title run last season the greatest turnaround in college football history. Bielema, who has a long coaching history, highlighted Indiana's impressive victories in the College Football Playoff, particularly against Alabama and Oregon. He credited head coach Curt Cignetti for transforming a historically losing program into a national champion. Other Big Ten coaches also acknowledged Indiana's rise and Cignetti's effective leadership and coaching style.

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By the Numbers

•Bret Bielema calls Indiana's national title run the greatest turnaround in history.
•Indiana dominated Alabama and Oregon in the College Football Playoff.
•Cignetti retained parts of his staff from James Madison, contributing to Indiana's success.
•Iowa's Kirk Ferentz remarked on Indiana’s well-coached and talented team.
•Rutgers coach Greg Schiano emphasized Cignetti's alignment with university resources.

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