Inside a packed Walker Room in Alumni Field House on Monday, Jan. 2, Elon University Director of Athletics Dave Blank introduced Curt Cignetti as the 22nd head coach in the history of the Elon football program.

Cignetti comes to Elon following a six-year stint as the head coach at Indiana University of Pennsylvania where he led the Crimson Hawks to a 53-17 (.757) record, including a 33-11 (.750) mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. In 2011, Cignetti inherited a team that finished 4-10 against conference foes two years prior to his arrival. IUP made three NCAA Division II Playoff appearances in 2012, 2015 and 2016 and finished this past season ranked No. 12 in the nation. Cignetti helped the Crimson Hawks to a 4-3 record in postseason play, as well. It marked the first time IUP made back-to-back NCAA Playoff appearances since 2002-03.
 
IUP finished the 2016 season ranked first in the nation in passing efficiency (183.44), third in scoring offense (46.3 points per game), fourth in rushing offense (279.8 rushing yards per game), and 12th in total offense (489.6 yards per game). The Crimson Hawks also ended the year first in the country in turnover margin (+2.08) and third in third down conversion percentage (.566). IUP racked up 50 or more points in a game four times in 2016, including a 62-point outburst in the first round of the NCAA Playoffs.

He has also spent time on the staffs at the University of Alabama (2007-10), North Carolina State University (2000-06), University of Pittsburgh (1993-99 and 1983-84), Temple University (1989-92), Rice University (1986-88) and Davidson College (1985).