In a year that saw a multitude of coaching achievements across the nation, Curt Cignetti’s selection as the AP National Coach of the Year has sparked intense debate. For some, his accolade appears to be the culmination of a season well-played, while for others, it’s a textbook case of a storyline trumping substance in college football’s most prestigious coaching honor.
At first glance, Cignetti’s resume is compelling. As head coach of the James Madison Dukes, he led the team to an undefeated season in 2023, clinching a Sun Belt Championship and a spot in the college football playoffs. For many fans and pundits, these accomplishments are enough to justify the honor. However, beneath the surface, questions arise about the quality of competition, the overall strength of the team, and the political maneuvering at play in the selection process.
The Case for Cignetti: Unstoppable Dukes and Historic Triumphs
Cignetti’s leadership has undeniably transformed James Madison into a powerhouse. His squad’s unbeaten record in 2023 made history, not only within the Sun Belt but also for the program as a whole. The Dukes’ offensive and defensive units were balanced, and their ability to remain dominant against both FBS and FCS opponents speaks volumes about the system Cignetti has implemented. Furthermore, his success in his first few years as the head coach at JMU should not be overlooked—this is a coach who helped turn the program from a mid-tier FCS contender into a perennial playoff team.
However, even Cignetti’s supporters can’t ignore the context of his team’s success. James Madison’s rise comes amid a curious shift in college football, with schools making the jump from FCS to FBS—something that undeniably raises eyebrows regarding their true level of competition. Cignetti’s 2023 campaign was largely built on triumphing over teams that were either transitioning like James Madison or still reeling from significant changes within their programs. So while his success is certainly impressive, is it fair to weigh such triumphs against those of coaches who faced far more grueling schedules week in and week out?
A Question of Competition: The FBS vs. FCS Divide
The AP Coach of the Year award has historically favored coaches who lead teams through brutal schedules, battling the elite programs of the FBS. While James Madison’s undefeated run is an extraordinary achievement, much of the conversation about the award revolves around how much of it should be credited to the inherent weaknesses in their conference. The Sun Belt, while not an easy conference, does not compare to the power conferences such as the SEC, Big Ten, or even the ACC in terms of overall competition. To many critics, this lack of high-profile opponents significantly weakens Cignetti’s case for being the nation’s top coach.
While it’s true that James Madison played a number of difficult games, the lack of a truly high-level opponent in their schedule forces us to ask whether their success is more a reflection of a soft schedule than an extraordinary coaching job. Is Cignetti’s award a reflection of his coaching ability, or has the media simply jumped on an exciting underdog story in a season that lacked a clear, standout candidate?
The Narrative Over Substance: Politics of the Award
Another facet to this debate lies in the very nature of the award itself. With college football in a state of flux—especially with the rise of the transfer portal, realignment, and conference reshuffling—the narrative around the AP Coach of the Year has become just as significant as the achievements on the field. Curt Cignetti’s rise from FCS to FBS with a perfect season is a captivating story, one that fits neatly into the media’s current obsession with “underdog” narratives.
In this environment, the AP National Coach of the Year honor may have become less about a coach’s overall body of work and more about the story they can tell. Cignetti’s success at James Madison is a feel-good tale of perseverance, success against the odds, and the triumph of a school making its mark on the FBS stage. But is the award a reflection of this captivating storyline, or does it truly honor the nation’s best coach?
Moreover, the increasing prominence of media-driven narratives in sports awards cannot be denied. With outlets looking to tell compelling stories that resonate with fans, the award becomes more than just about wins and losses. The romanticism of a coach leading a program from FCS obscurity to an FBS powerhouse might just be more marketable than acknowledging a coach who quietly, yet consistently, dominates in a power conference.
Is the AP Award Becoming an Afterthought?
While many accept Cignetti’s win as deserved, it’s impossible to overlook that the AP National Coach of the Year award, like many other accolades, is often granted in a vacuum of narratives. For many in the college football world, this year’s selection feels more like a product of media storytelling rather than a purely merit-based decision. Cignetti is a talented coach, but did he truly do more than others to earn this top honor?
In the end, the controversy surrounding Curt Cignetti’s AP National Coach of the Year award raises critical questions about the intersection of storylines and substance in college football. As coaches like Cignetti continue to defy expectations and rise to prominence, it remains to be seen whether the award will reflect true coaching excellence or simply the best story of the year.