Indiana coach Cignetti sends message to star transfer with pre-practice dress code lesson

In conscionable his 2nd play astatine the helm, Curt Cignetti led Indiana to its archetypal nationalist championship.

During the Hoosiers' rubric run, Cignetti became known for his demanding coaching style. Indiana opened outpouring signifier Thursday, and incoming transportation wide receiver Nick Marsh got a clang people successful what it means to play for Cignetti.

Marsh, who transferred from Michigan State, arrived astatine signifier successful golden cleats. After noting Marsh’s productive two-year stint successful East Lansing, Cignetti pivoted to the wideout’s footwear.

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Nick Marsh (6) of the Michigan State Spartans runs the shot up the tract during the archetypal 4th of a crippled against the Maryland Terrapins astatine Ford Field Nov. 29, 2025, successful Detroit.  (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

"I didn't emotion those golden shoes helium came retired successful today," Cignetti said. "He learned what getting your a-- ripped is each about. I don't cognize if that happened to him precise often astatine Michigan State. That was earlier signifier started."

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Marsh totaled 1,311 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns astatine Michigan State. TCU backmost Josh Hoover besides headlines Indiana’s transportation additions.

An Indiana Hoosiers helmet during a crippled against the Ball State Cardinals astatine Lucas Oil Stadium Aug. 31, 2019, successful Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Cignetti added that the coaching unit has "more enactment to bash with this radical than the archetypal 2 teams," noting the radical is inactive learning much astir players the squad volition apt trust connected adjacent season.

Indiana Hoosiers caput manager Curt Cignetti during the 2nd 4th against the Miami Hurricanes successful the 2026 College Football Playoff nationalist title astatine Hard Rock Stadium Jan. 19, 2026, successful Miami Gardens, Fla. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Indiana went 16-0 en way to a thrilling triumph implicit Miami successful the College Football Playoff nationalist title successful January.

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Cignetti framed his callout of Marsh’s cleats arsenic an aboriginal connection astir expectations.

"That was a wake-up call," Cignetti said of the receiver's pre-practice cleats. "But he’s truly worked hard, done a large occupation for us."

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