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In just his second season at the helm, Curt Cignetti led Indiana to its first national championship.
During the Hoosiers’ title run, Cignetti became known for his demanding coaching style. Indiana opened spring practice Thursday, and incoming transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh got a crash course in what it means to play for Cignetti.
Marsh, who transferred from Michigan State, arrived at practice in gold nuggets. After noticing Marsh’s productive two-year stint in East Lansing, Cignetti switched to the wideout’s footwear.
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Michigan State Spartans Nick Marsh (6) runs the ball upfield during the first quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Ford Field on Nov. 29, 2025, in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
“I didn’t love the gold shoes he came out with today,” Cignetti said. “He learned what getting your a– ripped is all about. I don’t know if that happened to him very often at Michigan State. That was before practice started.”
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Marsh amassed 1,311 receiving yards and nine touchdowns at Michigan State. TCU quarterback Josh Hoover also headlines Indiana’s transfer additions.
An Indiana Hoosiers helmet during a game against the Ball State Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium on Aug. 31, 2019, in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Cignetti added that the coaching staff has “more work to do with this group than the first two teams,” noting that the group is still learning more about players the team will likely rely on next season.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti in the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Indiana went 16-0 en route to a thrilling victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship in January.
Cignetti framed his explanation of Marsh’s cleats as an early message of expectations.
“It was a wake-up call,” Cignetti said of the receiver’s pre-practice cleats. “But he’s worked really hard, done a great job for us.”
