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When he was introduced at an Indiana men’s basketball game last December, new football coach Curt Cignetti did not hold much back when speaking to the Hoosier faithful.
“I don’t plan on taking a back seat to anybody,” Cignetti said. “Purdue sucks, but so does Michigan and Ohio State. Go IU.”
When Cignetti was asked to explain his comments at Big Ten Media Days Thursday, he said he harkened back to legendary comments made by former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel upon his arrival.
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“We are in the entertainment business,” Cignetti said, per the Indianapolis Star. “It’s coaching, but it’s entertainment. I remember Jim Tressel, when he went to Ohio State, he said something about beating Michigan. … I just ramped that up a little bit I guess. You’ve got 17,000 people in the basketball arena and I’ve got to get them excited.
“The first part was easy, but why stop there and set the bar at 6-6? We’re going after these two. We want to be the best.”
Jul 25, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti speaks to the media during the Big 10 football media day at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
In January 2001 when he was hired as John Cooper’s replacement, Tressel made a guarantee during an Ohio State men’s basketball game that fans would be proud of the team “most especially in 310 days in Ann Arbor.” Tressel led Ohio State to a 26-20 road victory that November, his first of nine wins against the Wolverines in 10 seasons.
Ohio State will face Indiana Nov. 23 at Ohio Stadium. And if Cignetti and the Hoosiers beat the Buckeyes, it would be Indiana’s first win against Ohio State since 1988.
Ohio State currently holds a 28-game win streak against Indiana. The teams tied during…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/indiana-coach-curt-cignetti-said-155958535.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2024-07-26 15:59:58
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