HOUSTON, Oct. 14, 2025 — Indiana University head football coach Curt Cignetti has been named Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week after the No. 7 Hoosiers’ 30-20 win over No. 3/2 Oregon on Saturday.
The Hoosiers improved to 6-0 this season, and 3-0 in Big Ten play. The win marked the first in 47 attempts that Indiana has beaten a top-five team on the road.
The American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, presents the Bear Bryant Awards annually to celebrate excellence in coaching, to honor Coach Bryant’s legacy and to raise awareness and critical funds for its mission. The coaching legend died from a heart attack in 1983, just 28 days after his final victory and retirement.
The game was a closely-contested affair that saw three ties; but after Oregon tied the contest at 20-20 with 12:42 to play, the Hoosiers scored the game’s final ten points to seal the win.
The win was Indiana’s second-ever over a top-five opponent – having previously beaten then-No. 3 Purdue in 1967 – and lifts Indiana to its third 6-0 start in program history.
Fernando Mendoza finished 20-of-31 for 211 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Elijah Sarratt added eight catches for 121 yards, including the game-winning catch.
Cignetti is the second consecutive Big Ten coach to earn weekly honors, following UCLA interim boss Tim Skipper’s selection last week. This follows the selections of Virginia’s Tony Elliott, Syracuse’s Fran Brown, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko, USF’s Alex Golesh and Florida State’s Mike Norvell.
Continuing through the remainder of the regular season, the Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards will recognize a coach weekly for leading their team to an exceptional victory. The National Coach of the Week award is chosen by a committee of national college football media members.
Fans can follow the lead up to January’s 40th annual Paul “Bear” Bryant Awards Ceremony at facebook.com/bryantawards, x.com/bryantawards or Instagram.com/bryantawards or the hashtag #BryantAwards. To attend the exclusive, VIP experience visit bryantawards.org.
###