‘Legendary story.’ Trump praises Indiana football’s historic 16-0 season

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts with head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Trump laughs off Indiana football’s notable absences

Trump didn’t expect quite so many former Indiana football players to be busy with OTA’s in the NFL. While Fernando Mendoza’s absence made headlines last week, Trump was surprised to find out that key starters like Pat Coogan and D’Angelo Ponds weren’t in attendance either. The President sought to highlight their contributions during his remarks.

“We've got 15 of them in (NFL) training camp right now,” Cignetti told Trump.

“Oh, I can't believe it,” the President said. “No wonder you won.”

According to Trump, Mendoza called the President last week to tell him he wouldn’t be able to attend the event. There were a handful of former IU players who graduated on the trip, but none of the ones who were drafted or signed to NFL teams.

U.S. President Donald Trump receives a team T-shirt from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper

Trump impressed with IU’s blowout win over Alabama in Rose Bowl: “You’ve got to be kidding”

Trump has maintained close ties with former Alabama coach Nick Saban, Cignetti’s one-time mentor. It might help explain why the President was so impressed by the lopsided final score of IU’s 38-3 victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

“Coach, you've got to be kidding,” Trump said after reading the final score. “That's right, over Alabama. That's a big one.”

Cignetti, who won a title as an assistant at Alabama for Saban, even poked fun at his former school as Trump spoke about the game.

“Roll tide,” Cignetti shouted.

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks next to head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as he hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper

Trump spotlights Indiana football’s gutsy QB draw in CFP title game

Former Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s diving touchdown against the Hurricanes made quite the impression on Trump, who attended the CFP championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. The President raved about the play call on Monday afternoon with Cignetti by his side.

Facing a fourth-and-four from Miami's 12-yard line, Cignetti called a QB draw with his team holding onto a slim lead in the final 10 minutes. Mendoza scored by breaking a series of tackles and making a Superman-esque dive across the goal line.

“No coach in America would have done what this guy did,” Trump said of Cignetti. “They said, this guy is making such a mistake, and he won. That was a hell of a play. That's the kind of play if they don't do that play, if it doesn't work, that's like career-threatening, right?”

Trump circled back to the thought before talking about Jamari Sharpe’s interception.

“He kept doing all this stuff,” Trump said. “The things that weren't supposed to happen. You're just lucky you won that game because if you didn't, they would have said, this coach is crazy.”

Head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump hosts an event for the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Trump celebrates Indiana football’s “legendary story”

Trump frequently veered away from his prepared remarks to offer up asides on Indiana’s rags to riches story. Cignetti orchestrated a turnaround in just two seasons in Bloomington at a school with very little tradition in the sport.

“What you did is something that I don't think anybody's ever really done in college football history,” Trump said.

Trump, like many fans, was impressed with the way IU dispatched the sport’s blue bloods — mostly in lopsided fashion — on their journey to winning the CFP title.

“You went through a lot of great teams,” Trump said. “And real football powerhouses over the years. That's pretty intimidating. Amazing. Top tens. This team lifted the Indiana football program from a historic low.”

For Trump, it’s what made Indiana’s 16-0 season distinct from other championship teams that have visited the White House.

“The story of Indiana University is really a legendary story,” Trump said.

Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Bloomington Herald-Times. You can follow him on X @michaelniziolek and read all his coverage by clicking here.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: President Trump puts spotlight on ‘legendary’ Indiana football team