Curt Cignetti Won’t Be Invited to Dinner at J.K. Simmons’ House Anytime Soon

Rich could not resist the opening jab. Before J.K. Simmons could settle into the chair, the Michigan alum floated the idea of glossing over four straight years of the Wolverines beating Ohio State. Simmons, a devoted Buckeye, let the sigh do the talking.

Then the conversation found its real subject, and Simmons lit up. "I can't get enough of Curt Cignetti," he said of the Indiana coach. "I love that guy. I'm almost obsessed with him."

There is a wrinkle in that admiration. Simmons roots for Ohio State, and so does his household, loudly. "My daughter, who is now a giant Ohio State fan, wants to hit him in the face," he said, laughing. The reason is exactly what makes Cignetti compelling. His competitiveness is right there in your face.

Simmons saw it coming before most did. He had been telling his fellow Buckeye fans since Week 5 that Indiana was for real. The response was always the same. It's Indiana. His answer never changed. "Not anymore."

Rich had waited six months to get Cignetti on the show, and when he finally did, he asked the coach how he responds to people who think he is a one-hit wonder. Cignetti's reply was pure Midwest edge. "We're going to have to prove it," he said, with a twinkle Rich could not stop describing.

That old-school streak is what hooked both of them. Simmons brought up Indiana's new quarterback, Josh Hoover, who came over from TCU with a reputation for turnovers, something even his previous coach had mentioned. Cignetti's take on the transfer was that Hoover was about to meet his two new best friends, a run game and a defense. Then he winked at the media.

"That's Midwest Big Ten football, man," Simmons said. Rich reached for the coaching ghosts to describe the vibe. Simmons went with Woody Hayes. Rich, ever loyal, countered with Bo. Either way, they agreed, Cignetti carries a turn-back-the-clock mentality in the age of the transfer portal.

The verdict on Indiana was unanimous at the desk. Not a one-hit wonder. For real, and dangerous again next season. Simmons, still holding his ground as a Buckeye, would only allow so much credit before the loyalty kicked back in. Which is precisely why, obsession and all, Cignetti probably should not expect a dinner invitation to the Simmons house anytime soon.