Aiden Fisher on the remarkable revival of Indiana University's football program
By Will Croxton
December 14, 2025 / 7:51 PM EST / CBS News
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For many years, the narrative surrounding Indiana University's football program was far from inspiring; it was a tale of struggle and disappointment.
Jon Wertheim, who grew up in Bloomington, Indiana—the home of IU—shared his perspective, stating, "For an extended period, this program was not just mediocre; it was really quite poor."
As the current season began, Indiana held the unfortunate title of being the team with the most losses in major college football history, tallying over 700 defeats. However, in an astonishing transformation, the Hoosiers have risen to an undefeated record, securing the No. 1 playoff seed and claiming the Big Ten Championship after triumphing over the reigning national champions, Ohio State.
- Indiana University quarterback Fernando Mendoza and head coach Curt Cignetti discuss the driving forces behind their impressive winning streak (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/indiana-university-football-cignetti-mendoza-60-minutes/)
Fernando Mendoza, the star quarterback who recently won this year’s Heisman Trophy (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/heisman-trophy-awarded-quarterback-fernando-mendoza/), describes the atmosphere on campus as "electric," highlighting a stark contrast to past years.
Reflecting on earlier times, Mendoza recalled, "Back in January, I could walk through campus, and nobody would even recognize me, even if I introduced myself. It was as if they thought, 'Oh, that’s cool. Alright. Whatever.'"
In contrast, he now observes a palpable excitement among students whenever they encounter any players from the team. "There’s a real sense of enthusiasm about our football program, the future we’re creating, and the playoffs ahead of us."
Linebacker Aiden Fisher attributes their newfound success to two simple words: "Coach Cig."
Fisher elaborated, "The individuals that Coach Curt Cignetti has recruited are truly exceptional. They share a vision of making Indiana a winning program."
One significant strategy Cignetti employed was leveraging the transfer portal, a resource that allows players seeking to switch schools to signal their availability for recruitment. Notably, Cignetti focused on recruiting individuals from teams not typically at the top of NCAA rankings. He explained to 60 Minutes that he prioritizes "production over potential," emphasizing the importance of players who have demonstrated their capabilities on the field.
Cignetti stated, "When you see a player who has been consistently productive for two to three years, it speaks volumes about their discipline, commitment, work ethic, perseverance, and ability to remain healthy and active on the field."
A recent change in NCAA regulations means these transfers can now immediately participate in games, eliminating the previous requirement to sit out for a year. "It’s essentially like free agency in sports, allowing us to quickly adjust our roster," Cignetti remarked.
Fisher himself is a product of this transfer strategy, having moved from James Madison University about two years ago when he learned that Cignetti had been appointed as Indiana’s head coach. "My friends were all saying, 'You’re going to Indiana,'" he recounted. "I was only in my second year, so it felt a bit surreal."
According to Fisher, players like him, who transferred from lesser-known programs, carry a distinct mindset shaped by feelings of being overlooked. "We have a chip on our shoulders because we weren’t wanted. None of the teams we face ever showed interest in recruiting us," he explained. "In that locker room, many guys were never pursued by anyone, yet those on the opposing side often believe they are superior."
Wertheim posed a question to Fisher regarding whether he took time to reflect on how far the team had progressed. Fisher acknowledged, "Winning the Big Ten Championship feels good, and being 13-0 is a great achievement. However, at the end of the day, none of it holds value unless we finish by hoisting the national trophy."
This video segment was produced by Will Croxton and edited by Nelson Ryland.
Images courtesy of Getty Images and the Heisman Trophy Trust
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- College Football (https://www.cbsnews.com/tag/college-football/)
