Growth Mindset Spotlight: Indiana Football’s Remarkable Transformation
Just two seasons ago, the Indiana Hoosiers football team held an unenviable distinction — they had lost more football games than any program in NCAA history.
Today, Indiana football is undefeated, ranked #1 in the country, and competing in the College Football Playoff.
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen because of luck.
It happens because of mindset.
When second-year head coach Curt Cignetti took over the program, the focus wasn’t on quick fixes or chasing results. Instead, the emphasis shifted to process, standards, and daily improvement.
Cignetti’s message has been remarkably consistent in press conferences and interviews:
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Control what you can control
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Improve something every day
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Let outcomes take care of themselves
The roster composition makes the story even more compelling.
Indiana has just seven 4-star recruits, with the rest of the team made up of 1-, 2-, and 3-star players. For comparison, the Ohio State Buckeyes roster includes 67 four- and five-star recruits.
Indiana didn’t view that disparity as a disadvantage.
They treated it as fuel.
At quarterback, Fernando Mendoza exemplifies this Growth Mindset in action. His Heisman Trophy win was not the result of chasing accolades, but the byproduct of disciplined preparation, learning from mistakes, and sustained effort.
What makes Indiana’s rise especially powerful is that it reinforces a lesson far beyond sports:
Talent matters — but mindset multiplies talent.
When leaders commit to process over outcomes and learning over ego, teams follow. Standards rise. Resilience grows. And extraordinary results become possible — even in the most competitive environments.
Indiana football’s 2025 season isn’t just a winning season.
It’s a powerful example of what can happen when an entire organization commits to a Growth Mindset.