The Indiana Hoosiers took the college football world by storm this season under head coach Curt Cignetti, going 16-0 and winning the first national championship in program history.
The football world wondered if Cignetti would take his talents to the professional level after the season to try and bring home the sport’s highest prize: the Lombardi Trophy.
Cignetti insisted that he decided a long time ago that his focus would remain on the college ranks. However, his brother has no such reservations, according to one prominent insider.
“Mike McCarthy is adding former Pitt and IUP coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. to his offensive staff, per sources. Cignetti was McCarthy’s QB coach in Green Bay in 2018,” reported Gerry Dulac.
Mike McCarthy is adding former Pitt and IUP coordinator Frank Cignetti Jr. to his offensive staff, per sources. Cignetti was McCarthy's QB coach in Green Bay in 2018.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) February 2, 2026
People reacted to the news on social media.
“If he is good at what he does, fine. But why tf are we obsessssed w ‘Pittsburgh connections,’” one person wrote on Twitter.
“This will surely be received well by Pitt fans. That ‘23 Pitt offense under cignetti was…something. Was hoping to just never think about that season again,” someone else added.
“Oh Lord. Frank sucked as Pitt OC. I had hoped McCarthy would take this seriously, but all he is doing is adding his coaching fraternity friend,” another fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see if Cignetti can be as successful as his brother for the Steelers.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.