WVU Football: Former Coach Cignetti to Hall of Fame

December 1, 2011; Tampa, FL, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers helmet on the bench during the second half against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. West Virginia Mountaineers defeated the South Florida Bulls 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia University’s former offensive coordinator and head coach Frank Cignetti learned today that he was named to the National Football Foundation Divisional Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2013.

The NFF Divisional Hall of Fame recognizes college football excellence at the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), Division II, and Division III level.

Cignetti earned inclusion into the Hall of Fame based on his outstanding run as head coach of the Indian University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Crimson Hawks football program from 1986 to 2005. During his 20 year reign at the helm of IUP, Cignetti amassed an impressive record of 182-50-1. During his tenure, the Crimson Hawks won at least a share of 14 PSAC Western Division championships with 13 Division II playoff appearances, making it to the semifinals in six of those playoff runs.

He will be most remembered for his two undefeated regular seasons in 1991 and 1993 as well as IUP’s Division II National Championship Game appearances in 1990 and 1993.

Cignetti is familiar to Mountaineers fans for his tenure as the Mountaineers offensive coordinator under legendary head coach Bobby Bowden from 1970 to 1975 before taking over as head coach upon Bowden’s exit from the program. Cignetti served as the Mountaineers head coach from 1976 to 1979 with a record of 17-27.

West Virginia University closed the Cignetti era with the hiring of WVU legend Don Nehlen as head coach and the opening of the new Mountaineer Field.