From wiki
After graduating from
West Virginia, Cignetti began his coaching career as a
graduate assistant at
Pitt in 1983 under
Foge Fazio. He has also coached at Davidson College, Rice University, and Temple University.<a href="
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curt_Cignetti#cite_note-bio-3"><span>[</span>3<span>]</span></a>
In 2000, Cignetti joined
Chuck Amato's staff at
North Carolina State University(NC State). During his tenure, the Wolfpack achieved significant success, including a school-record 11-win season in 2002. In 2003, he coached quarterback
Philip Rivers, who earned ACC Player of the Year honors. Over seven seasons, NC State participated in five bowl games, securing victories in four. Notably, in 2006, Cignetti recruited future Super Bowl champion quarterback
Russell Wilson to the Wolfpack.<a href="
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curt_Cignetti#cite_note-Dellenger2024-1"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a><a href="
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curt_Cignetti#cite_note-Rittenberg2024-4"><span>[</span>4<span>]</span></a>
In 2007, Cignetti became part of
Nick Saban's inaugural coaching staff at the University of Alabama, serving as wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator. During Cignetti's time under Saban at Alabama, the Crimson Tide achieved remarkable success, including a 12–0 regular season in 2008 and a 14–0 national championship season in 2009. During this period, Alabama won 29 consecutive regular-season games. Cignetti played a pivotal role in recruiting and developing key players, such as wide receiver
Julio Jones, Heisman Trophy winner
Mark Ingram II, and linebacker
Dont'a Hightower. The 2008 recruiting class featured six future first-round
NFL Draft selections.<a href="
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curt_Cignetti#cite_note-Dellenger2024-1"><span>[</span>1<span>]</span></a>