During Indiana’s White House visit on Monday, President Donald Trump renewed his criticism of the current state of college sports but acknowledged that for Indiana, “it seems to be working for you.”
President Donald Trump has frequently expressed concerns about the direction of college athletics, holding two-hour-long roundtables and issuing executive orders aimed at reforming a system marked by free player transfers and loose regulations around name, image, and likeness (NIL) compensation and program spending.
While Trump seeks to reshape college sports, on Monday he welcomed the program that has thrived most in this new era: Indiana University. The Hoosiers visited the White House to celebrate their 2025 national championship—the first in program history—and a perfect 16-0 season. Trump also had some fun at the expense of Indiana’s head coach, Curt Cignetti.
“Who is Curt? Curt Cignetti? Where is Curt Cignetti?” Trump joked, likely referencing Cignetti’s now-famous quote: “I win. Google me.”
Despite his repeated criticism of the system, Trump acknowledged Cignetti’s success within it.
“NIL, boy oh boy did the courts screw that up,” Trump said. “That’s alright. Whatever happened, it seems to be working for you.”
Trump didn’t need to Google Cignetti before Monday’s event. He attended Indiana’s 27-21 victory over Miami in the College Football Playoff Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. The Hoosiers’ win completed one of the greatest turnarounds in sports history. Until late in the season, Indiana had more losses than any other program in college football history.
“I watched that game. I watched these guys. They can play,” Trump said of the Hoosiers. “They were a little underestimated… but they’re not underestimated anymore.”
Cignetti has orchestrated Indiana’s rise, going 27-2 in two seasons and leading the Hoosiers to two Playoff appearances. He has benefited from Indiana’s increased investment in football—both in infrastructure and roster building—and heavy use of the transfer portal to add standout talent.
Standing next to Cignetti on Monday, Trump said: “Curt Cignetti… I think he’s the coach of the last decade. Because he took a team—nobody knew him, nobody knew the team—and he ended up taking this team all the way… He took over in 2023 following a really bleak 3-9 season and immediately set a tone that few people have seen, I think, in the history of college football.”
Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who won Indiana’s first Heisman Trophy before being selected No. 1 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the NFL Draft, did not attend the ceremony. He recently said it conflicted with Raiders team activities.
Trump also highlighted other members of Indiana’s title team, such as center Pat Coogan—Offensive MVP of the Rose Bowl—and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds.
“Where’s Pat?” Trump asked. “Oh, he’s at training camp… 15 players in training camp. Wow.”
“Where’s D’Angelo?” Trump asked before Cignetti and his players noted Ponds was at training camp. “No wonder you won.”
Indiana defeated Ohio State for the Big Ten championship and then beat Alabama, Oregon, and Miami during its Playoff run. Those programs are all household names.
“You went through a lot of great teams… and real football powerhouses over the years,” Trump said. “The coach, I think he’s just incredible. I think it’s an incredible story.”
When Trump asked Cignetti how his team would be this year, Cignetti replied: “Well, we’ve got a chance if we commit and if we have discipline and a great work ethic and if we can handle success and we can handle failure and we’re consistent day in, day out, we might have a chance.”
Indiana opens the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against North Texas.