Huskers fan account HuskGuys recently uploaded a list of the top head coaches hired in the last two seasons, ranked by winning percentage. Indiana HC Curt Cignetti topped the list with a 9-0 debut and a win percentage of 1.000. Trailing behind him are Alabama Kalen DeBoer with 6-2, .750 at No. 3 and Nebraska Matt Rhule with 10-11, .476 at No. 10. But are they playing to the level of their salary?

Blackshirt Media posted a calculated “ROI on the 13 said Notable Coaches hired within the past 2 seasons based on career win %” on X on November 6. With his season record, Curt Cignetti tops the ROI list with an annual salary of $4,250,000. He’s the best-performing HC standing at the top with 0.235 wins per percent per million. The same can’t be said for Rhule and DeBoer though.

Kalen DeBoer, who was in the top 3 in the previous list, fell to No. 8 in this updated report. The former Washington HC replaced Nick Saban this season for a lucrative salary of $10,000,000. But right now, he’s playing below his dollars as he’s 0.075 in wins per percent per million. And then comes the Nebraska HC who fell to No. 9. 

Matt Rhule’s annual salary is $6,500,000 million. Right now, he’s in his second year with the Huskers. Posting a .476 career win percentage, the 49-year-old is 0.073 in wins per percent per million right behind DeBoer. But Cignetti? The main thing we know right now is that he’s underpaid! But things are flowing in the right direction for the coach who boldly declares “I win, Google me.”

Curt Cignetti brings transformation to Indiana

Curt Cignetti isn’t a familiar name in the Power Five conference. He just moved from the Group of Five after coaching James Madison for five seasons. In his 14 years as a HC, including the ongoing 2024 season, the 63-year-old went 128-35. He’s a force of transformation in Indiana going 9-0 after they fell 9-27 in the last three seasons. And yes, a raise is definitely on the cards for Cignetti. 

According to a report by USA Today’s Steve Berkowitz, “Indiana coach Curt Cignetti picks up $50,000 bonus as Hoosiers get 6th Big Ten win of the season by beating Michigan State. Hoosiers are 9-0, and Cignetti now has $350,000 in bonuses so far, plus automatic 1-year contract extension and $250,000 raise beginning next season.” Well, what less can you expect from a genius who was mentored by CFB GOAT coach Nick Saban himself!