Indiana transfer’s pre-practice footwear sparks scolding from Curt Cignetti
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Curt Cignetti led Indiana to its first national championship in his second season at the helm.
During the Hoosiers’ championship run, Cignetti became known for his tough coaching style. Indiana opened spring practice on Thursday, and transfer wide receiver Nick Marsh got a crash course in what it means to play for Cignetti.
Marsh, a transfer from Michigan State, came to practice wearing gold cleats. Noticing Marsh’s productive two years in East Lansing, Cignetti turned to the wide shoe.
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Nick Marsh (6) of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball downfield during the first quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins on Nov. 29, 2025 at Ford Field in Detroit. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
“I didn’t like those gold shoes he walked out in today,” Cignetti said. “He learned what it means for someone to tear. I don’t know if that happens to him very often at Michigan State. This was before practices started.”
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Marsh totaled 1,311 receiving yards and nine touchdowns at Michigan State. TCU point guard Josh Hoover also tops Indiana’s transfer additions.
An Indiana Hoosiers helmet during a game against the Ball State Cardinals at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on August 31, 2019. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Cignetti stated that the coaching staff “has more to do with this group than the first two teams,” noting that the group is still learning more about the players it will likely rely on next season.
Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti during the second quarter against the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff national championship at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on January 19, 2026. (Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
Indiana went 16-0 en route to a thrilling win over Miami in the College Football Playoff national championship in January.
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Cignetti framed Marsh’s statement about his cleats as an early message about expectations.
“It was a wake-up call,” Cignetti said of the receiver’s pre-practice cleats. “But he worked really hard, did a great job for us.”
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