Hoosier Head Coach Curt Cignetti Joins, Strategy in the Swamp, Non-Conference Schedule Debate

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Triple Option (Feb 4, 2026)

"Hoosier Head Coach Curt Cignetti Joins, Strategy in the Swamp, Non-Conference Schedule Debate"

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Episode Overview

In this episode of The Triple Option, hosts Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, and Rob Stone explore several major college football topics: leadership culture, new coaching philosophies, NIL, and conference realignment. Special guest Curt Cignetti, fresh off a national championship at Indiana, goes deep on sustaining excellence, transfer portal realities, and staff loyalty. The crew also dives into the shifting trends in non-conference scheduling and close with their Super Bowl picks.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Coaching Culture and "Earning the Gear"

[00:51–11:30]

• Urban Meyer shares insights on John Sumrall’s start at Florida, referencing his own philosophy of “earning the right” to wear team gear.
  • Meyer details how, when taking over struggling programs, he withheld team apparel until players proved themselves in practice, class, and off-field conduct.
  • Mark Ingram explains as a former player why these rituals matter: “Stuff is earned. It’s not given. For you to wear that script Gator on the helmet...you have to earn the right to do it.”
• The conversation turns to military influences and meritocracy.
  • Meyer: “I’m a firm believer in meritocracy. You get what you earn. Facts, period.”
• Urban on team rebuilding: The process must be tailored to the specific state of the program; sometimes a “total reset” is required.
  • “You can’t cookie cutter it,” Meyer says.
• The effect on player pride and accountability is emphasized.
  • Mark Ingram: “That’s what makes you take pride in your university, that’s what makes you take pride in your logo, is from the hard work that you put in...”

Notable Moment:

“High achievers don’t like mediocre people. And mediocre people don’t like high achievers because of what it takes, the standard.”
– Mark Ingram, [08:16]

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2. Humor and Changing Times: Cannabis in Football

[09:31–11:18]

• The hosts riff on the changing culture around cannabis, comparing past anxieties around drug testing to today’s legal landscape.
  • Urban Meyer recalls the stress of drug tests: “There was a time where...you’d lose sleep over a drug test coming up as a coach and staff.”
  • Laughter as the group imagines Urban doing ads for a cannabis sponsor.

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3. Interview with National Champion Coach Curt Cignetti

[13:31–32:26]

a) Immediate Aftermath of the Title

• Cignetti describes the hectic days post-title: media, retention, recruiting.
• “The next morning...you got 19,000 things going on. Coaches retention, player retention...it’s been pretty busy.”
  – Curt Cignetti, [15:05]

b) Staff Loyalty, Efficiency, Preventing Burnout

• On staff retention: Hires loyal assistants early, gives them freedom and avoids micromanagement.
• Efficient practices: “I’m a 25-minute walkthrough guy on Monday and Friday, and we’re about an hour 30 to an hour 40 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.”
• Coaches free to go home after work is done: “I don’t walk the halls to see who’s here and who isn’t. We’re pretty efficient in everything we do. We don’t waste time.”

Notable Quote:

“The staff makes it happen and we’re on the same page...when you’ve got people that you’ve been with for a while, it’s easier to get that done. You just gotta make sure complacency doesn’t set in.”
– Curt Cignetti, [17:32]

c) Post-Championship Mindset

• Reflecting Nick Saban’s approach: It’s about maintaining standards once you’re the target.
• Cignetti’s post-title focus is on standards, not celebration: “To me, it’s all about us still. Are we meeting the standard on a daily basis?”

d) Portal Realities and Roster Management

• Curt candidly addresses big-money NIL offers and tampering: “We had a guy last year offered a million dollars... It’s tough, man.”
• Transfer portal usage: First year, 32 transfers; 22 in year two; 17 in year three as high school recruiting improves.

e) Shorter, Smarter Practices

• Unusually short spring and fall sessions (“never practiced 15 times in spring yet”), aiming for freshness and health.

f) Memorable Moments & Snapshots

• On team legacy: “A lot of great leaders on this team... really smart guys... probably closer maybe than any team I’ve ever had.”
• Iconic plays: Mendoza’s airborne touchdown in the national championship.

g) Non-Conference Scheduling Philosophy

• “I’m going to play who the AD says we’re playing...Why make it harder on yourself?”
• Emphasizes Big Ten grind; non-conference games are scheduled to support, not sabotage, their playoff goals.

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4. Non-Conference Schedule Debate

[32:34–37:32]

• The hosts review 2026 non-conference schedules, debating which are “easiest.”
• Urban Meyer laments the decline of “big dog” non-conference matchups: “I think unfortunately...those days are over.”
• Teams with softest schedules (consensus): Indiana, Penn State, Texas Tech, Georgia, Notre Dame.
• Mark Ingram: “Whenever you get directions involved, coach...”
• Rob Stone summarizes: Notre Dame, “you need to make the playoffs again... you only need to be in the top 12...”

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5. Super Bowl Preview & Picks

[38:37–43:10]

• Detailed breakdown of Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots matchup.
• Mark Ingram:
  • Praises Seattle’s offensive firepower: “They just got a lot of juice on offense.”
  • Picks Seattle to cover the spread.
• Urban Meyer:
  • Cites Mike Vrabel’s Super Bowl experience as the X-factor, leans toward Patriots covering: “He’s been there. He’s won three Super Bowls.”
• Lively debate over key skill players (Jackson Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker, Rasheed Shahid).

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Notable Quotes and Moments with Timestamps

• On Team Culture:

  “You get what you earn. Facts, period.”
  – Urban Meyer, [04:36]

• On Legacy:

  “That’s why it means that much to me to wear that script.”
  – Mark Ingram, [05:52]

• On Staff Loyalty:

  “The staff makes it happen and we’re on the same page...when you’ve got people that you’ve been with for a while, it’s easier to get that done. You just got to make sure complacency doesn’t set in.”
  – Curt Cignetti, [17:32]

• On NIL Tampering:

  “We had a guy last year offered a million dollars...it’s tough, man.”
  – Curt Cignetti, [24:47]

• On Scheduling:

  “I’m going to play who the AD says we’re playing....Why make it harder on yourself?”
  – Curt Cignetti, [29:08]

• On Winning:

  “You got to play to win....You can’t play not to lose.”
  – Curt Cignetti, [22:46]

• On Team Bond:

  “These guys really were tight and played with a lot of confidence.”
  – Curt Cignetti, [31:26]

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Flow of the Episode

• Opens with a lighthearted take on “earning the gear,” blending football and military philosophy.
• Shifts to the realities and ethics of modern football, NIL, and roster retention.
• Energized, insightful conversation with Curt Cignetti highlights the pressures and satisfactions of building a program, cultivating loyalty, and the challenge of “climbing the mountain” again.
• Practical debate about the consequence of easier non-conference scheduling in the playoff era.
• Closes with candid Super Bowl analysis and friendly, football-nerd banter.

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For Listeners Who Missed It

This episode expertly blends the warmth of football camaraderie and stories with hard-hitting analysis of the contemporary game—roster pressures, NIL headaches, the decline of marquee non-conference games, and what it takes to sustain championship standards. Curt Cignetti’s interview is essential listening for anyone interested in modern program-building and player management. The banter is sharp, the insights authentic, and even the Super Bowl picks pack lessons about leadership and coaching at the highest level.

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Quick Reference: Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Earning the Gear, Meritocracy | 00:51–06:44 | | Military/Team Culture Discussion | 06:44–10:00 | | Cannabis Culture and Humor | 10:00–11:18 | | Curt Cignetti Interview | 13:31–32:26 | | Non-Conference Schedule Debate | 32:34–37:32 | | Notre Dame, Penn State, TTU Schedules | 35:00–37:32 | | Super Bowl Picks & Forecast | 38:37–43:10 |

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Hosts: Urban Meyer, Mark Ingram II, Rob Stone
Featured Guest: Curt Cignetti (Indiana Head Coach, National Champion)

Socials: @3XOptionShow
Presented by: Wendy’s, FanDuel

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Transcript

[A]

Hey man, where's that national title right now? Where's that trophy sitting?

[B]

It's sitting about five feet in front of me here. I'll make sure they get them out of here as quick as possible. I don't want to look at them too long and get soft light it.

[A]

The Triple option is presented by Wendy's. Get yourself a $4 Biggie Bite, $6 Biggie Bag or an $8 Biggie Bundle. Now at Wendy's, another edition of the Triple option presented by Wendy's. Come your way. Urban Meyer. Mark Ingram, the second Rob Stone here with you. As always, thanks for putting us in your ears and your eyeballs. We appreciate you being a part of the triple option family. Subscribe, podcast, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast as well as across social media. 3x option show. You like that, huh?

[C]

Mark it up.

[A]

Sure. Go with flavor. New episodes coming Your Way on YouTube and wherever you get your podcast later on in the show. How about this for guests, guys? Indiana head coach, national champion. Oh, he's going to join Triple option. Yeah, that's going to be a fun conversation. I can't wait to catch up. Can't wait to catch up with him. I'm very curious to see what he's wearing as well. I feel like all I've been seeing from him lately is that that red three quarter zip short sleeve thing, it's kind of different. It's not the normal look you would expect from a head coach, but that's working for Kurt. All right, time now for any given Saturday, a multitude of coaching changes in this off season cycle, including where you once coached Urban in Gainesville at the University of Florida, their new head coach, John Sumrall. I know you've spent a lot of time with him. You're very high in him. He comes in from Tulane into Gainesville and he's made, he's made an impression already imitating a previous national championship winning head coach. Gee, who could that be? Let's let coach Summer. I'll explain.

[D]

Been earn a damn thing. Like all we've got is our name. We're, we're going to put our freaking

[A]

name on every day.

[C]

All right, so to, to wear the

[D]

Florida Gator logo, to wear gators across your helmet and script or to wear

[C]

the, the, the Gator head man, you got to earn.

[A]

That sounds familiar, Coach.

[D]

Love it. I agree with it. And I did it a couple stops Bowling Green. I did it, but we didn't have gear. We didn't have enough money to bike gear. Utah. Wait, what?

[A]

What did you withhold them? What did you withhold from them at bowling?

[D]

That's been 150 years ago. So I just, I'm a firm believer you have to earn it.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

And once you earn it, you really get rewarded. That's, that's the way I was brought up and that's what I believe in. And, and also, Mark, I, I grew up in a world military family and I studied special ops, Army Ranger, Navy Seal, Green Beret. And I just believe that's how you, that's how we ran our program. And when I went to Florida, we, they, they had a tough season. Not that bad. But let me start with this. That whenever you take over something, you can't cookie cutter it. You know, you got to say, okay, I took over Bowling Green, I had to blow that up. It was, it was bad. There was 2 and 9 or 1 in 10 something and just a lot of stuff, a lot of bad grades and drugs and, and so we had to, I mean, torpedo that thing and start over. And we did. And then you went to Utah. Wasn't that bad. You know, Florida wasn't that bad. And actually Ohio State taken over. For a guy like Jim Trestle, we, we didn't change much at all. He just kind of spray bottled a little bit and cleaned it up. So. But down at Florida, we took everything away. And I wanted to prove a point. The expectations are national championship caliber team. That's what Steve Spurrier did. And if you're not doing that, you're going to hear it. And I expect that out of the staff. I expect it out of the players. And we took, they weren't allowed to wear Florida gear. And you earned it back. So I was never a believer. For example, there was a time where coaches would get a raise. As a staff, I took that away. I was one of the first coaches to do that. And I said, we're not doing that. If you're a great coach, you get a bigger raise. If you're not a great coach, you're going to not quite get to get the same raise. We don't do it as a group. You do it as individuals. And then same thing with a team. You don't just all of a sudden get your stuff back. You earn it back if you bust your ass. So Mark Ingram plays for me, comes in the. Mark Ingram, I know he's going to be wearing gator gear quicker than the other guys because he's going to bust his ass, go to class, do the right thing. That's how I did It. I heard he was doing it, and I'm a big fan of his, but I'm a firm believer in meritocracy. You. You get what you earn. Facts, period.

[A]

And it's just stuff, though, right? Like, I'm looking at this from. I understand. I'm looking at this from an outsider, right? And I need you guys to explain it, because in. It's just stuff that you could buy at Target, right, with a Gator logo on it, right? Like, why does that mean so much Mark to that player to have the ability to wear your. Your Alabama crimson tie jacket or hat or not have the ability to wear it?

[C]

As a fan, you can buy it. But as a player, you got to earn that right. Stuff is earned. It's not given. So for you to wear that script day, for you to wear that script Gator on the helmet, for you to wear that Gator like that, there's people who have played and come before you have represented that at a high standard in the right way. And for you to earn the right to do that, you have to earn the right to do it. So I do admire what Coach Sumrall is doing at Florida, and I. I stand by it. Because that's what makes you take pride in your university, that's what makes you take pride in your logo, is from the hard work that you put in, the sacrifice that you put in the discipline that it required to be able to live up to that standard and elevate that standard. So that's why it means that much to me to wear that script.

[D]

A.

[C]

Because I know what it took for me to do it, and I know what the sacrifice, the blood, sweat, and tears that I had with my brothers to be able to do it and the guys who came before me and after me that held it to a standard because we've all done the same thing. We all respect each other. Cause that's what it took.

[D]

Well, it's a psychological truth. The harder it is, the harder it is to let go. Navy Seal training, there's a thousand people apply. 100 make it because it's hard. They try to eliminate some of the wash, some of the waste. And that's the same thing I tried to run was a football program. I wanted to make it so miserable. I wanted to find out who's in and who's out.

[A]

Who, what's in, who don't.

[D]

The harder, the better. What's that?

[C]

Who wants it and who don't. Because it's gonna be time. We run the 110. It's gonna be times where you got inside run drills. Gonna be times where you got blitz, pressure, pickup. And it's hot in them two A days. And if you don't want it, you gonna quit. If you don't love it, you gonna quit.

[D]

I think Rob's into the group hug. Rob's into the group hug.

[C]

And you're gonna have the dogs that rise to the top.

[A]

No, I get it, I get it.

[D]

The group hug.

[A]

There's something about wearing.

[D]

You tried hard. Give him a shirt.

[A]

Something about wearing.

[C]

Participates in trophies at elite places.

[A]

Correct. Anywhere, Anywhere. There's something about wearing the gear that you feel you earned. And it's a little different than what anybody else can get. Right. I, I, I understand that. I, I would strut around Colgate with my Colgate soccer stuff on, which was unique to me, and I love that. And if coach Mike Doherty took it away from me, I would be pissed as hell and, and I would fight to get it back. I totally understand that. But coach, was there ever a point where you took the stuff away and you're like, shit, they really haven't earned it yet, But I gotta give it to them. Like at some point they need, they need this stuff.

[D]

No, because when you take over program, you don't give a damn. You're trying to make it as miserable as possible. And I guess I was fortunate. I had some really good kids when I took over. I mean, I took over, what was it, Bowling green? We won nine games, I think our first year from two and nine or one in 10 to nine games. And I turned out at, turned out that we had arguably the best senior class I've ever had. Utah, we go into 22 and 2, 24, 2 run after they had a losing season. So I was lucky that when you, when you scrape and push hard enough, you're going to find out the cream rises to the top. And I was very fortunate, Mark. I had some dogs at Florida. Once we scraped that stuff off, I had some monsters. And they went national championship second year.

[C]

Hey, Coach Saban said it, man. The best. He said high achievers don't like mediocre people. And mediocre people don't like high achievers because of what it takes, the standard.

[D]

You got to reward the high achievers and.

[C]

Exactly. And the high achievers, if they are who you say they are, who they think they are, they bring the mediocre people up to their level.

[D]

Damn right.

[C]

That raises the entire team because you're only as strong as your weakest link

[D]

on the you watch out for Florida, man. I think I'm buying that stock. Right, right.

[C]

You buying that stock?

[D]

I'm buying it. That swamp is going to be like a jet engine, so.

[C]

So you said like a Mark Ingram, I'll be able to earn my, you know, my gear a little earlier than somebody else. How do you know how? Like, what do you have to do to earn it? Like, what do you have to do to earn it? Like, is it your performance in practice? Is it how you carry yourself? Is it a big play? Like, what is the requirements to earn the game?

[D]

No, it has nothing to do with making, you know, performance on the field to a point, but just doing right. Just going to class. If you have a. I took up a couple places where they weren't going to class and smoking and all that crap. Just taking care of yourself. And then our strength coach became my right hand man. I'd actually listen to him say, who's earned it? And I mean, that was the fun part of the job. Especially if you're.

[C]

If you're had some players that were doing it right and smoking too.

[D]

Don't remind me.

[A]

There's a lot of them still out there, man.

[C]

There's a lot of people that's doing the right way. It's just getting feeling good at night. It's okay. There's nothing wrong with it. It's okay.

[D]

What? The world has changed so much, Mark. Think about that. There was a time where, I mean, you'd lose sleep over a drug test coming up.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

As a coach and staff, you're like, what in the world is going on?

[C]

Crazy. It's crazy.

[D]

Now there's no more. I don't think they test anymore, do they, Mark?

[C]

In the NFL, they test, but they won't punish you for a negative test.

[A]

I mean, so why do we even test?

[D]

I don't think they test anymore, Rob,

[A]

because they don't want to see the results. Probably. They don't. Adam. Right. We might have a problem here.

[C]

Half the states you can go in with a driver's license and buy. You know what I mean? In other. Other states, you have a freaking eighth on you. They want to take you to jail.

[A]

It is crazy. I remember when we were out at Norman a couple years ago, we saw a ton of shops around the campus. I was like, wow. I did not. I just wasn't used to it. And now, now you start going to other places. You're like, nope, there's that.

[C]

We are now a cannabis podcast over there. Yeah, we need a cannabis sponsor.

[A]

We'll Let coach handle that one mark.

[C]

All right.

[B]

All right.

[A]

Good luck with that one, guys.

[B]

Good luck.

[A]

Can you even imagine coach going into one of those shops and what he would do and the questions that would be asked.

[C]

Our reads for the cannabis sponsor.

[A]

Can you imagine? Be nice and low. The sweatshirt just cut it.

[D]

Oh, my God.

[A]

This is great. That's a sitcom waiting to happen. All right.

[D]

I told you I smoked at one time.

[B]

Yep.

[D]

I really didn't. But Little Wayne walked by me. Right by me.

[C]

Lil Wayne, Colorado, right? Oh, yeah, you got that contact high.

[A]

There was. There was a lot of contact high that show.

[C]

Wayne, the whole student section was smoking too. Everybody was smoking out there.

[A]

I think the whole city. The whole city caught a little buzz here. Coming up next, we clean up the show. The architect of one of the most impressive turnarounds in all of sporting history, national championship winning head coach from Indiana, Kurt Signetti joins us next on the triple option. Guys, Wendy's really outdid themselves with these new biggie deals at first. $4, $6, $8. The new Biggie deals are bigger and Biggie, er, than ever. And I know what you're thinking. How could the Biggie get even bigger and better?

[C]

These new Biggie deals are perfect, Rob, because you get to choose between the $4 Biggie Bites, the $6 Biggie Bag, or the $8 Biggie Bundle. If you're feeling something snacky, you can get the $4 Biggie Bites with a JBC and a four piece nugget. Feeling something medium, get yourself a $6 Biggie Bag with JBC, four piece nuggets, a small soft drink and a junior fry. If you want to go full Biggie, you can get the $8 Biggie bundle with your choice of two sandwiches, a small soft drink and a junior fry coach.

[D]

So the choice is yours for a pretty Biggie deal. Gotta be Wendy's.

[A]

U.S. price and participation may vary. Single items at regular price. Prices may be higher in Alaska, California and Hawaii. Shot clocks, big shots, upsets, aces. TGL playoffs are here. First, Atlanta drives starts their repeat run against Los Angeles Golf Club. Then Rory's Boston Common golf and Tigers Jupiter Lynx face off in their playoff debuts. Who will advance? Keep up its playoffs. Tune in Tuesday, March 17th at 6:30pm and 9:00pm only on ESPN and the ESPN app. This episode is brought to you by Athletic Brewing company. No matter how you do game day, on the couch, in the crowd or manning the snack table, Athletic Brewing fits right in with a full lineup of

[C]

non alcoholic beer styles.

[A]

You can enjoy Bold flavors all game long. No hangovers, no buzz, no subbing out for water in the second half. Stock the fridge for tip off with a variety of non alcoholic craft styles. Available at your local grocery store or online at athleticbrewing.com near Beer Fit for all times. Welcome back to the triple option presented by Wendy's Rob. Mark Urban. Oh, yeah, we got him. National champion head coach Kurt Signetti join us. Hey, man, where's that national title right now? Where's that trophy sitting?

[B]

It's sitting about five feet in front of me here. We just finished up with a podcast local guy used to run our collective. So I'll make sure they get them out of here as quick as possible. I don't want to look at them too long, get soft.

[D]

Hey, thanks for joining us, coach. And 30 years ago, I was at Notre Dame and you were at Pitt. Who bought dinner that day? And when we were, did you buy it or did I? I can't remember. I know we both had nothing because

[B]

he never buys anything. Yeah, but I remember that. I also remember you interviewing when you were at Colorado State for a. I think we had a receiver job at Pitt with Johnny Majors.

[D]

Oh, that's right.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Hey, so did you. Did you get to celebrate it or. I know you're just a nut job like a lot of other great coaches. Did you just go right back at it or were you able. I saw you enjoy with your family, which is incredible, but did you take it all in and. Or are you a little bit like. I was reflecting it when you're still at it is a little sign of weakness. Did you just go right back at it? But did you. Did you enjoy it?

[B]

I. I got to enjoy it afterwards once I was done with the media. And of course, the next morning, you know, there's things to do and a press conference and then you're traveling back home and then you're in the office the next day. And I mean, you got 19,000 things going on, getting ready for next year. Coaches retention, player retention, you know, and all that good stuff. So it's, it's been pretty busy, but I'm, you know, the, the old signing date is coming up where nobody signs anymore. Right. So, you know, for about the last five years, my wife and I have always taken about a week going somewhere nice and sunny and looking forward to that.

[C]

Where you going, coach? You got some on. You got some on the table, Coach. Where y' all going?

[B]

They're going St. Wors, buddy.

[A]

Let's go.

[D]

All right, I got one more Mark and then you run with it. So I watched you now for two years and we did the Nebraska game when I was, when we were big noon and I kept watching your teams and I was like, you know, just the run fits on defense, the tackling, you just never miss communication on offense, your perimeter blocking which we all know that's where all those hidden yards are. And I watched, I walked out and I stood right next to your team. And the, just the mechanics, you know, the way your team worked, the efficiency, your staff, you've been very fortunate to have loyalty, consistency. One of the things that hit me right in the jaw is I start losing guys. And your two coordinators, I didn't realize, I remember Bryant worked for me and then Mike Shanahan. Tell me first they're the most undervalued other than players. They're the most important people in a coach. And I can't say enough about your staff. Tell me about your staff and how do you keep them?

[B]

Yeah, you know, Bryant and Mike I hired as part time coaches at the D2 level for less than $1,000. Now Bryant was with me two years and then went to Cal Davis and they got let go and that's when I got the Elon job and I brought him back. And then when Corey Heatherman left me at JMU after three years who's now the DC at Miami, I hired Brian who's. He's a great coach. I mean they both are and but Grant Kane's been with me probably 7 years at least since I went to JMU. My special teams guy, John Miller and there's a number of them and of course I did lose my strength and conditioning guy, Derek Owings and you know that's a key guy then he was with me six or seven years, went to Tennessee so we're going through that right now. But hired a great guy to run that thing. So. But you know, the staff makes it happen and we're on the same page and you know that's key the drill, getting everybody to think alike. Especially when you're in season every single day and then on game day, the players included and when you've got people that you've been with for a while, it's easier to get that done. You just got to make sure complacency doesn't set in which you know when you're successful that that's the daily deal. And how do I keep them? I don't know. I'm a little different than a lot of guys. I don't practice A long time. I'm a 25 minute walkthrough guy on Monday and Friday, and we're about an hour 30 to an hour 40. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Helmet, shoulder pad.

[D]

Wow.

[B]

I'm way in the office. I come in early, organize the day. When we're done with practice, those coaches, they can go home if they want to and you know, if their work's done.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And now some of them stayed, some of them don't. But I don't walk the halls to see who's here and who isn't. So the one thing I would say is we're pretty efficient in everything we do. Like, we don't waste time when we're here. We, you know, we're working.

[D]

So. I'm sorry, Mark. So you're, you're, you're the grind days are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Those guys, when you're done, practice because you're so efficient and you, when you roll in the next morning, you watch that. You don't watch a practice film afterwards?

[B]

No, we watch it in the morning. I like to watch Practicable when I'm fresh and I'm a morning guy. So Monday is a late night because we meet with the players at 5 and we, we start our walk through around 7:30. And then everything else is like 2:15, right? And we're done by 5:30. So, you know, those guys, if they got their work done, you know, they go home, see their kids. Wow.

[D]

Yeah.

[C]

That's awesome.

[D]

I love it.

[C]

I love, I love the efficiency of the time coach, but no coach. I remember after we won our national championship, you know, in Pasadena, we flew back to Tuscaloosa the next day. And I remember we had a team meeting and Coach Saban was on our butt right away. Like, now it's all about what can you do when you're at the top of the mountain, Everybody's shooting for you, you know, et cetera, et cetera. He was on us right away. Um, when did you guys have your first team meeting when you got back to the Hoosiers? And I know it's obviously different with roster retention, roster turnover, but when was the first team meeting and what was your message to the team?

[B]

Yeah, well, we actually didn't have a team meeting. I did meet with the portal guys, met with the new high school guys together, and met with the returners together. We have not had a team meeting yet. You know, they're down there in the weight room now working and this and that, but I thought it was really important I get in front of the portal guys and the high school guys because they had been on campus for seven, eight, nine days. You know, we're preparing for the national championship, and we kept them separate from the team just to, you know, lay down the law, so to speak, and kind of the direction where we're heading.

[D]

So let me ask you that. I remember Lou Holtz when we won in, what was it, 06. And it's almost like the, it's so relieving. And then we did it, and then reality sets in and, And I think you're going to feel it. I mean, everyone else I've talked to, at some point, you'll feel it. That damn. Climbing the mountain, like Mark said a minute ago, and Holtz used to say this to me, is that it takes passion, energy, but when you're on top, it just, it seems like everyone's swinging at you. And, you know, Indiana and I know you know this, but they're every Big Ten conference school, and everyone you're playing has got your game circled. You're. You're Signetti and you're the, The Hoosiers now, as opposed to the old Hoosiers. So, you know, have you felt that yet? Probably not. But, you know, be prepared for, you know, maintenance is a. Oh, yeah, climbing

[B]

a mountain's fun, you know, I mean, you know, it's hard to get to the top of the mountain, right? And so. And very few teams have done it back to back. You know, to me, it's all about us still. You know, are we meeting the standard on a daily basis? Are we meeting the standard consistently? Like my message really isn't? The things I believe in are not going to change. My message to the team might change daily based on what I see and how we're doing. Usually if we're doing pretty good, I may not even talk to the team after practice. But if I don't like what I see, I am going to talk to them now. It's not going to be long, but they're going to understand what I'm saying.

[D]

Facts.

[C]

Hey, coach. One of my favorite plays in the game was when Fernando Mendoza, obviously get. Goes for it on fourth down, runs the linebacker over, dives into the end zone. That set the tone. Gain momentum, help you guys finish the game. What was the I. What was the play call for that play? And what went into your decision to go for it on fourth down from the 12?

[B]

Yeah, well, you know, you got to play to win. I, I mean, you got to have confidence in the players. And sometimes I, you know, I always remind myself that before the game begins, I'll, I'll put some things on paper, how I want to coach the game and whatever. And like I told the staff and the team a few times the last couple games, you know, you win, you're a hero, you lose your bumps. So cut it loose and play to win. Right? You can't play not to lose. And I didn't feel real good about trotting a field goal team out there and just getting a six point lead and kicking the ball off. You know, they were moving the ball a little bit on us in the second half and we had an opportunity to go up. Two scores. And even if we didn't make it, they were going to be pinned down pretty good, right. We were going to have to hold them anyway. So, you know, we went for it earlier in that drive on fourth down.

[C]

Great back shoulder to Charlie Becker.

[B]

That's right. And you know, playing the win, man, you got to have confidence in the players. They've been making plays all year long. Quarterbacks been making plays all year long. Let's go.

[C]

What was that play call? You could share it or.

[B]

No, it was just quarterback draw. I mean, we had to call it a little different because we turned the line different than we had all year long.

[D]

Did you have an RPO with it in case it was a six?

[B]

There were RPOs, yeah, on the outside, two inside slaves and hitches. But we were anticipating the quarterback would run based on what they did to play before and what we thought they would be doing in that situation. And it worked out that way. He broke a few tackles now.

[C]

He did that. He did.

[D]

I want to change the subject, I want to change the subject real quick that this whole world of, you know, dabo, Coach Sweeney, you know, the, the NCAA right now is, you know, it seems to me this is a slam dunk investigation that doesn't take four and a half years to get. Are you experiencing this? I talked to a lot of friends still and you say wild, wild West. Are you personally experiencing that nonsense, the tampering with the Indiana roster?

[B]

Well, yeah, absolutely. I mean, you know, we had a guy last year offered a million dollars, but he'd be shocked at the school and you know, it gone on this year. Guys walk in my office and talk, talk to me and you know, it's, it's a, it's tough, man. It's hard. I mean, you know, you got these Asians calling everybody across America. I love like those guys. You try to do it the right way. It's tough, coach.

[A]

Let's pivot forward.

[B]

Right.

[A]

We're all about moving forward right now. You go to year one. In your transition from James Madison, Indiana, you've leaned heavily into the transfer portal. Year two. Last year it felt like it was a little bit less, but. But the portal was still important. So here we are now, year three. Kind of take us to what the composition of this team is for year three and what you want it to be. Building it out a couple years.

[B]

Yeah, I think year one we took 32. Year two, we took 22. This year we took 17. So you see that number going down as the high school recruiting builds up. And now that we're winning, the high school recruiting is getting better. It still takes those guys a little while to develop and, you know, so they can play winning football and I don't care, you know, a 24 year old is going to play better than an 18 year old. So I don't think you're ever going to see the day where you're, you're not dabbling in the portal and you know, maybe next year we're at 14, who knows. But you always have critical needs and you always got to win every single year. That's just the way the business is now. So the foundation, the house is the high school recruiting and you know, that's picking up and getting better and better. But you got to supplement it with portal guys.

[A]

Year three, three different quarterbacks. Can you sustain that, you know, or is that a model that you like going forward?

[B]

We have up to this point, I mean, since 19, Ben DeNucci was player year in a conference. 20, Cole Johnson player year in a conference. And then Todd Senteo, one year transfer player a year in a conference. And Jordan McLeod, one year transfer player. You're in the conference. Encouraged work. He was not player year in conference because Dylan Gabriel won the Heisman, but he led the country in qbr. And this year Fernando Mendoza, obviously. So now, now we got Josh Hoover and you build around the quarterback and the offensive talent and get him to kind of play the way you want him to play and get him better. And, you know, it all starts at that position.

[C]

Yeah, coach, man, you know, we've heard a lot about like different spring games, traditions and how people are doing it. Do you plan on having a traditional spring game this season or how do you plan to know? Adjust your offseason program with the spring transfer portal? No, spring transfer portal.

[B]

Yeah, we'll play a half. That's what we've done the last two years here. And I think I did that my last couple of years at JMU too. You know, on a Thursday night, we'll play a half. They've got something here called the little 500. It's like a bike race, model 500. That's two days later. And you know, we'll practice 13 times. I've never practiced 15 times in spring yet. I've never practiced 25 times in fall camp. We'll get enough done in 13 days.

[D]

Is that right?

[B]

Yeah, never.

[D]

And an hour half on the field, you said earlier.

[B]

Yeah, about. Yeah. Spring ball may go 150.

[C]

You know, that's gonna, that's gonna get players there off that, off that schedule. You keeping them fresh, you keeping them ready to go. Efficiency.

[B]

Well, that's what I'm trying to do is keeping them fresh and healthy. Because nobody has depth. And I've never had a team that had enough depth.

[D]

You know what that was awesome saying is you talked about your dad. I'm just kind of jumping off script here. But you talked about your dad and you never got to go to the hall of Fame until you were down there for that and see his name up there.

[B]

And found out that morning that the press conference was at the hall of Fame.

[D]

Unbelievable. What, what did that, that warm the heart? I mean, I can only imagine.

[B]

Yeah, that's pretty cool.

[D]

Good for you, man.

[B]

Yeah. Thanks, coach.

[A]

Coming up on the show, we're going to talk about scheduling and off season schedules and non conference foes this year. Your non conference schedule. North Texas, Howard, Western Kentucky. What is your scheduling philosophy that at least you can control?

[B]

I'm going to play who the AD says we're playing. I mean North Texas 12 and two, Western Kentucky nine and four. So you know, then we played nine. How many? Nine Big Ten teams.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

And so, you know, so what's, what's

[A]

your AD's philosophy in it then?

[B]

I think right now the, the prevailing philosophy is the SEC's gone to nine, right. Conference games, 10's at nine and. Okay. What you do in the Big Ten really matters a lot. Why make it harder on yourself?

[D]

Facts, facts.

[C]

Hey, coach, I need to know, man, what that ping pong game talking about?

[B]

Been a long time, brother.

[C]

Hey man, I'm coming to get my get back on you, you know. Did you get them?

[D]

Wait, wait, wait.

[C]

Did you get them? I think we split, you know. Honestly, I know.

[B]

We got him.

[C]

Hey, coach, man, tell him. Hey man, what do you remember about flying into Flint, Michigan? I know it was cold and coming to see me recruit me that first time, you was the first person I saw from Alabama. I'm like, okay, okay, I'm doing something now. I got Coach Signetti and the Crimson Tide here in Flint, Michigan. Tell. Tell them, man. What do you remember most about that first visit we had?

[B]

Well, I remember two of them, I think, and it was snowing like hell. One time you were to track me.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

The indoor track meet.

[B]

And then the other time, I think we ate pizza in your living room.

[D]

Yep.

[C]

The first time was the pizza living room. The second time you brought Coach Burns up there, y' all was at the indoor track meet. Yeah, I remember that. I remember that. I was flying. Coach Burns liked me then when he saw me running that track meet.

[D]

Were you at Alabama in 14?

[B]

No, I was there. 7, 8, 9, and 10.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Coach, we on the outside, we see a different perception of what Indiana is. Obviously, you're. You're in the weeds with it. Right. So we see the touchdown at Penn State. Right. We see what happened with Mendoza going airborne in the national championship game. Those are probably the images that are stuck with us with most of the people. What's the image or images of what's transpired the entirety of the season through the celebrations and the celebrations back in Bloomington? What are those little mental snapshots that you have that are going to stay, that are going to resonate with you for the rest of your life?

[B]

Well, those were two iconic plays and great moments in Indiana football history. What I'm going to remember about this group is just how consistent they were day in, day out, week in, week out, how they approach their work and then put it on the field. A lot of great leaders on this team, A lot of really smart guys that are going to do well in life that were really probably closer maybe than any team I've ever had. Now, generally, when you win big, you got pretty close team, but, boy, these guys really were tight and played with a lot of confidence.

[A]

When did you allow yourself to celebrate and take it in and smile?

[B]

As soon as I could. You know, it takes a while to get that stage up every time you win one of those playoff games. And then, you know, maybe you got to do Big Ten Network or Fox and finally get in that locker room and crack one open.

[C]

Crack one open.

[D]

Hey, thanks for joining us, man.

[B]

Thank you.

[D]

Great. And we much. Please, please share your staff. That from an old coach. Much respect, man. Those guys did a hell of a job.

[B]

Yeah, you got it, buddy.

[A]

Coach Signetti, you're awesome, man. Congratulations again. We are so, so Proud of what you and what Indiana was able to create. National championship winning head coach Kurt Signetti. Thanks coach. Urban. Mark, Rob, back here with you. The triple option presented by Wendy's. Time to go three and out, guys. We're going to discuss non conference schedules, right? So the 2026 calendars have been set for all the big programs. We're going to try to find the three easiest non conference schedules. We talked to Kurt Signetti about it earlier. Coach and Indiana maybe at the top of your list.

[D]

It is. And I like the fact that coach Signetti was very clear. Who cares is. I don't want to paraphrase him too much, but which is, I mean, I get it. I respect it. I actually respect a person who just says that. He said the Big Ten Conference playing nine games, they played Kennesaw State, Old Dominion and Indiana State. I'll never forget that when I heard those three teams they played and they won a national title. So I think, I think unfortunately, because I do like those non conference big games. I used to like it as a coach and I love it now just watching. But I think those days are over. Mark, with that said, the three, I'm going back to the Hoosiers again. They pay, they play a good North Texas, but still North Texas. They play Howard and they play Western Kentucky that I believe won nine games and Sig let us know that so that Indiana, Houston playing Oregon State Southern and Georgia Southern. Wow.

[A]

Whenever you get directions involved, coach.

[D]

I know, I know. And then my old Utah team is playing Idaho and then Arkansas team. That's I heard there is shell of themselves and Utah State. So the old scheduling philosophy that we used to live by, big dog, medium dog, little dog. There's a lot of little dogs out there.

[A]

Lot of little puppies barking out there, nipping.

[D]

Little dog, little dog, little dog, mini

[A]

dog, mini dogs, mini dogs. Mark, who are your three? Who's got the best mini dog schedule out there?

[C]

Shoot, right now you got to go Penn State. Penn State got Marshall, Temple and Buffalo

[A]

for that last year too.

[C]

With them they also have no Oregon and no Ohio State and no Indiana. So you talk about easiest non conference, maybe easiest conference as well. You know, when you talk taking out Oregon, Ohio State, Indiana, those are the three best teams in the Big Ten this year. Then you gotta go Texas Tech. We got Abilene Christian. Sounds like one of the high school, you know, Christian academies right here by me. No offense to Abilene Christian, by the way. And then they got also Sam Houston State and Oregon State who was Absolutely. Haven't been doing anything lately.

[A]

Oregon, it's at Oregon State at least to add a little caveat to it. But I agree.

[C]

Oregon State, what is their record to pass?

[A]

Welcome. Hey, Pac 12 was back, baby. Back. His pack is back, man. Full state schools. Yeah, let's go.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Yeah. So yeah, Texas Tech, Penn State and then who? We'll go with the Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee State, Western Kentucky and. Well, we can't always just throw Georgia Tech in there. I mean, I think that's not a

[A]

conference, but that is not conference.

[C]

End of season, Tennessee State in western Kentucky. Haynes King is gone.

[A]

Yep. It'll be a different Amendoza. Mendoza could be running. Running the ship for Georgia Tech. All right, so those are the non conference schedule. I want to go totality. Mark, you kind of hit on it as well. You know, if you look at the totality of Penn State schedule, Matt Campbell, I guarantee you he looked at that before he signed the papers. Like, you know what?

[C]

I could deal with this.

[A]

The first. This is an easy entry back into the Big Ten, right? We already talked about Marshall at Temple. Buffalo. No. Oregon. No. Ohio State, Indiana. The toughest stretch. It's two Saturdays in a row. It's home to USC and then at Michigan. Only one west coast trip that goes out to Washington. So I think Penn State, you know, assuming they can sort themselves out with all the new bodies and the new coaches coming in, Rocco Becht is going to be there. Qb. I think this is an easy entrance, if you will, for, for Penn State. Listen, Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame, if you don't make the playoffs with this schedule, something's wrong. Now when we say out of conference schedule, it's hard to say. It's. It's easy because they only have five quote unquote conference games right. From the acc. But looking at the totality of it, open up with Wisconsin, Akron, Bay, then two other Big Ten teams, but it's Michigan State and Purdue. So you're talking teams that are middle to the bottom part of the Big Ten, right? You got Rice and.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Rice is their, their gimme the ACC games at North Carolina, Stanford. The two big ones are both home, Miami and smu. They also have BC and Syracuse. So seven games, that's. That's their extra credit. They go seven games, then a buy after that BYU game. So then they, then they have another neutral game with Navy at Foxborough. So I think the totality of Notre Dame schedule looks extremely manageable. Irish, you need to make the playoffs again. You only need to be in the top 12. And you'll be in the playoffs. Texas Tech, interesting as well. Again, totality. No byu, no Utah. We talked Mark about the three out of conference teams and then they host maybe two of their more challenging teams, Arizona State and tcu. Five games. Then a buy when they have Arizona State at home. I think Texas Tech is primed to get themselves back into the College Football Playoff picture. That was your fresh take of the week presented by Wendy's. Get yourself a $4 Biggie Bites, $6 Biggie Bag and an $8 Biggie Bundle now at Wendy's. All right, you know what?

[C]

We love Biggie bags and we love

[A]

Biggie Bundles and we love Super Bowl Sunday as well. You guys are road tripping it. I'm, I'm going to go be a cheer dad in Orlando, so I'm missing it. As this kicks off our two minute drill brought to you by FanDuel. Visit FanDuel.com triple option to download the app and take advantage of a 50% profit boost today. Again, that's FanDuel.com triple option. Time to make our picks for the Super Bowl. Seattle guys favored by four and a half. The over under mark is 45 and a half. Deuce deuce. Your first up.

[C]

Who's taking man, Super Bowl. Four and a half is a lot for a Super Bowl.

[A]

You know, it actually seems small to me.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

But to me, I'mma lay the points here. You know, I think, you know, I, I respect V, I respect the Patriots and what they've done this season. But there's something about the Seattle Seahawks team. They just got a lot of juice on offense. You talk about Jackson Smith and Jigba looks like the best receiver in the, in the league right now. You talk about you, you talk about the addition of Rashid Shahid, how dangerous he is as a punt returner, kick returner and a wide receiver. Then you talk about Kenneth Walker, who I think is coming into his own in this postseason. He's running the rock, he's catching the football. This offense has a lot of juice. Then you talk about Sam Darnold, the evolution of him, where he has come from. Since he was with the chest. They talk about he was a bust. He was with Carolina, he was backing up. They talk about he's a bust. I was waiting on Sam Darnold to prove me right. I mean to prove me wrong this year and have a, have a bad stretch. He hasn't had a bad stretch all year. He probably had one or two games out of 16, 17, 18, that, that, that weren't up to par. So Sam Darnold is playing at an elite level, high level. This defense, they rush you with four. Drake May has been sacked a number of times in this playoff. I think 15 times in this playoff. And so you have a defensive front which led by DeMarcus Lawrence who can get to you with rushing four people. If you can rush four people and cover for seven, that's the recipe for success. So with this team, I got too much juice on offense, a strong defense. I'm laying the points four and a half. I'm a ladies points for Seattle. I think Seattle has the momentum and they just got too much juice. I'm laying the points. I'm going with Seattle here in this one.

[A]

Coach, how do you see it?

[D]

I'm going to take the X factor in variable. He's been there. He's won three Super Bowls. He's seen the best, one of the best teams. You know, dynasties and NFL history with the Patriots and how it's done. And I, I got a lot of respect for Seattle but I'm just, I think the X factor is the guy running the the charge and one of the great turnarounds in NFL history if he wins his last game. So I'm a Mike Vrabel fan. I witnessed it. I would go visit the Patriots when he was playing and watch that team work and I just think the X factor will be Mike and his experience in Super Bowls and having a plan of attacking how to go win that game. So they're not four and a half points is a lot. I think they're going to cover but I actually, I want to pick the. And there's a little bit of personal bias because I love Rabel to see him do this.

[C]

Have you been watching Jackson Smith and Jigba?

[D]

Oh, I've been watching him for years. I, I think that's so good. I because he got overshadowed by Marvin Harrison Jr. Now yes, he was these. He was the number two receiver at Ohio State. Yeah, think about that for a minute.

[C]

He's a dog monster.

[B]

A dog.

[C]

Have you watched Jackson Smith and Jig? Have you watched Kenneth Walker the third? Have you watched Rasheed Shahid AKA Deuce Deuce getting loose with Seattle?

[A]

Oh, I got Seattle by at least seven. Yeah, that's how high I am on them. I love the Brable story. I love New England winning on the road every game this year and I know this is a neutral site game but keeping it away from Foxborough. It is an awesome story. The turnaround and like as soon as The Patriots hired Variable. Weren't we all saying, what a great hire. Like, how smart. Why do teams give up on great coaches? I know sometimes you just need to. To mix it up, right, and change the locker room aura or the mentality. But what, what a steal. What an absolute steal for the Patriots and Drake May, man, if the Pats are going to do it, it's going to be with May's wheels, right? I mean, all those big first downs he picked up by. By doing it himself. That kid's a gamer, man. I love him. He's also a Tar Heel, so there might be a little bias there. All right, the triple option and our good friends at throwbacks, you guys are going to be up in the Bay Area for Super Bowl. We don't miss you and everybody. I know, I know. I listen, I'm gonna miss you guys, too. I'm downright sour about it, but I'm gonna be a good cheer dad. Fans, you guys have a chance to hang out for free with three college

[C]

football hall of Famers is for me. And I take three.

[A]

Three. Exactly. This Saturday, the 7th, you can watch a live crossover episode at 5 Pacific. Coach will be there, Mark will be there. Our good friend Matty Ice, Matt Leiner, Cherry Ferreira and Agar will be there. Plus other guests come on out. We talked about it. St. Joseph's Art Society. You guys get to hang out at an art society.

[C]

I like art.

[A]

Fancy. How fancy of you guys. 1401 Howard street in San Fran for the block party. Doors open up at new music, meet and greets, live shows. Not just the triple option, not just throwbacks. There's some soccer, there's some college basketball. There's some NBA. Learn more at amp amp sports block party.com amp and the key, you said

[C]

what the key is. It's for free. It's for free and it is for free.

[A]

Sports block party.com please send me pictures. Yell at me. I am going to be sitting in some place at Disney staring at lots of loud gymnasium, loud and screaming for

[C]

what is for me.

[A]

I'll take three. Follow subscribe Rate us on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts as well as across social media at 3x option show. Thanks again to coach Kurt Signetti joining us. Man, what an awesome interview that was. He's the best man. So happy for that program. You guys have a good, fun, safe, artsy trip to San Francisco. As always, thanks to our partners Wendy's and FanDuel. We will see you again next time right here on the triple option.