Frank Cignetti Sr.

Frank Cignetti Sr. (born October 8, 1937) is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at West Virginia University from 1976 to 1979 and at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, compiling a career college football record of 199–77–1. Cignetti led the IUP Indians to the title game of the NCAA Division II Football Championship in 1990 and 1993. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a coach in 2013.

For Frank Cignetti Sr.'s son of the same name, see Frank Cignetti Jr.
Frank Cignetti Sr.
Biographical details
Born (1937-10-08) October 8, 1937
Playing career
1957–1959Indiana State (PA)
Position(s)End
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1960–1961Leechburg HS (PA) (assistant)
1962–1965Leechburg HS (PA)
1966–1968Pittsburgh (assistant)
1969Princeton (assistant)
1970–1975West Virginia (assistant)
1976–1979West Virginia
1986–2005IUP
Head coaching record
Overall199–77–1 (college)
32–9 (high school)
Tournaments15–13 (NCAA D-II playoffs)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
2 PSAC (1986–1987)
14 PSAC Western Division (1986–1988, 1990–1994, 1996, 2000–2004)
College Football Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2013 (profile)

Coaching career

Cignetti coached the West Virginia Mountaineers from 1976 to 1979. His record at West Virginia stands at 17–27, but his most success was in NCAA Division II football. He coached Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) to a 182–50–1 record from 1986 to 2005. Under Cignetti, the Indians made their first Division II post-season appearance in 1987. His 28 post-season games is a Division II coaching record, while his 15 playoff wins were second-best when he retired in 2005. In 1991, he was the Division II coach of the year. His teams won 10 Lambert Cups, as the best Division II team in the eastern United States.[1]

Family

Cignetti's son Frank Jr. played football for his father at IUP from 1985 to 1987. Cignetti Jr. is a former offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. His son Curt was announced as the head coach for IUP on January 21, 2011, after serving four years as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator at Alabama.[2] Curt served as the head coach at Elon University from 2016 to 2018, and in December 2018 was named the 8th head coach of James Madison .

Head coaching record

College
Year Team Overall ConferenceStanding Bowl/playoffs Rank# AFCA°
West Virginia Mountaineers (NCAA Division I / I-A independent) (1976–1979)
1976 West Virginia 5–6
1977 West Virginia 5–6
1978 West Virginia 2–9
1979 West Virginia 5–6
West Virginia: 17–27
IUP Indians (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) (1986–2005)
1986 IUP 9–26–01st (West)14
1987 IUP 10–26–01st (West)L NCAA Division II First Round6
1988 IUP 8–35–1T–1st (West)L NCAA Division II First Round14
1989 IUP 11–25–12nd (West)L NCAA Division II Semifinal9
1990 IUP 12–26–01st (West)L NCAA Division II Championship4
1991 IUP 12–16–01st (West)L NCAA Division II Semifinal1
1992 IUP 8–1–15–0–11st (West)12
1993 IUP 13–16–01st (West)L NCAA Division II Championship4
1994 IUP 10–36–01st (West)L NCAA Division II Semifinal8
1995 IUP 8–35–12nd (West)19
1996 IUP 8–35–1T–1st (West)L NCAA Division II First Round10
1997 IUP 5–54–2T–2nd (West)
1998 IUP 10–25–12nd (West)L NCAA Division II First Round8
1999 IUP 9–45–12nd (West)L NCAA Division II Semifinal
2000 IUP 8–35–1T–1st (West)L NCAA Division II First Round1512
2001 IUP 8–26–01st (West)L NCAA Division II First Round88
2002 IUP 11–26–01st (West)L NCAA Division II Quarterfinal68
2003 IUP 10–25–1T–1st (West)69
2004 IUP 7–35–1T–1st (West)
2005 IUP 5–54–2T–3rd (West)
IUP: 182–50–1106–13–1
Total:199–77–1
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title or championship game berth

References
  1. http://www.iup.edu/magazine/page.aspx?id=73661
  2. Deas, Tommy (January 21, 2011). "Cignetti to be named IUP coach". The Tuscaloosa News. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
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