Curt Cignetti’s Early Life and Background:
When Curt Cignetti became the head football coach of the Indiana University Hoosiers in November 2023, nobody was more proud of him than his wife, Manette. "This is the big time," we thought. In August 2024, she told the IndyStar, "It doesn't get any bigger than this." I was simply incredibly proud.
He has put in a lot of effort and it has been a lengthy journey. Before Curt proposed in December 1988, the pair had a brief long-distance relationship after meeting while both were on vacation. After getting married in May of the following year, they have had two daughters and a son during the course of their decades-long union.
In addition to continuing her own job as a pharmacist, Manette has supported Curt Cignetti’s efforts as a collegiate football coach. Natalie, Carly, and Curt Jr., their children, also sought careers in medicine. Who is the wife of Curt Cignetti? This is all the information you need to understand Manette Cignetti’s connection to the Indiana University coach.
Manette was born and raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania, the same state as her spouse. She was named after a friend of her mother who was about to become a nun, according to the IndyStar. of June 2024, Curt Cignetti revealed to Bloom that his wife was the ninth kid of a huge family.
When they were both at home visiting their parents, the couple got together. Curt was a quarterback coach at Rice University in Houston, while Manette attended a pharmaceutical school in Pittsburgh. They went to a party together, and that was it, according to the IndyStar.
“Manette shared that they stayed connected despite the distance, and when she visited him around Halloween, he surprised her by asking her to marry him.” Manette told the IndyStar that shortly after they began dating, in 1988, Curt Cignetti proposed to her while they were having dinner. She remembered, “He just said, ‘Will you marry me?’ after looking at me.” It appeared out of nowhere.
Even though she accepted his spontaneous proposal, two months later on Christmas Day, Curt Cignetti asked her again, this time with a ring. On May 27, 1989, the two Pennsylvania natives got married. Manette wore a taffeta gown with a cathedral train and a three-tiered veil decorated with silk flowers, pearl sprays, and crystal drops for the ceremony, which took place at a Catholic church.
Manette has been a pharmacist, while Curt Cignetti has been a collegiate football coach. According to The Athletic, their daughters Natalie and Carly both pursued careers in medicine and went on to become doctors. Curt Jr., their son, has a career in medical sales.
“Throughout their many years together as a married couple, Curt and Manette welcomed three children—Natalie, Carly, and Curt Jr.” Manette shared that Curt once said to Bloom that his wife is truly exceptional, praising the incredible job she did in raising and supporting their children. We didn’t move around much when kids were younger.
When you have leisure time, coaching is all about family. For a brief period, at least one of their children pursued their father’s sporting career. Natalie played volleyball at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, according to his Indiana University profile. When Curt Jr. and his wife had children, Sophia and Isabelle, they also became grandparents.
Curt has been eating, watching TV, and practicing football plays in the same teal Bradington Young recliner for more than 35 years. In October 2024, he told the IndyStar that he has had to fight to bring his favorite chair with him to each of his eight coaching positions since his wife does not like it. After assuming control of the IU football squad, the coach joked to the source, “She’s trying to replace it right now.” We’ll see what happens because there is some resistance, but it doesn’t match the room.
Manette was concerned that the chair’s days were running out, even though she admitted that it had sentimental value—it was among the first pieces of furniture they purchased as a married pair. During their long-lasting marriage, Curt and Manette became parents to three children: Natalie, Carly, and Curt Jr.” Several of Curt’s games, like his victory over the University of Michigan in November 2024, were attended by Manette. She expressed her admiration for her husband’s work ethic to the IndyStar.
Manette remarked, “He’s very organized.” He is everything that I am not. He’s constantly searching for the advantage. He is capable of juggling anything. He sets an example, she went on. He is very honest. For these children, he is an excellent role model. His players share his 100% commitment.