The Indiana football program’s rise from a history of persistent losses to national champion over the past two seasons has been hailed as one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college football. Under Coach Curt Cignetti, Indiana transformed itself from a team with one of the worst records in major college football into an undefeated national champion, capturing the attention of the sports world. However, questions remain about which program, if any, might replicate Indiana’s improbable success.

Former players and analysts alike express skepticism that another Indiana-like resurgence is imminent. Brady Quinn, a former Notre Dame and NFL quarterback, noted that few programs have endured Indiana’s level of prolonged hardship, making a similar turnaround unlikely. History shows that drastic program shifts are rare; while teams like Oregon, Clemson, and Kansas State have staged notable recoveries over the past few decades, Indiana’s rapid ascent—culminating in a national title just two years after a 3-9 season—stands apart.

Efforts to identify potential successors to Indiana’s story often begin by excluding those outside the major Power 4 conferences, programs with winning traditions, or those lacking sustained competitiveness. One notable candidate is Virginia. The Cavaliers share similarities with Indiana in terms of roster-building strategies, emphasizing experience and productivity, and they recently demonstrated increased institutional support for football. After an 11-win season in 2025 and a dominant 34-8 home victory over North Carolina State to open 2026, Virginia has elicited comparisons to Indiana’s early trajectory. Still, Virginia’s resources and ACC positioning have led some analysts to temper expectations, viewing the program as a more modest, “Indiana Lite” prospect rather than a national championship contender.

A shortlist of historically struggling programs includes Duke, Iowa State, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Rutgers, Vanderbilt, and Wake Forest. Several of these, often known more for basketball success than football, have long histories of difficulty on the gridiron. However, many of the programs have factors limiting their potential for an Indiana-scale transformation. For example, Duke and Wake Forest have improved or maintained solid football programs recently, removing them from serious consideration. Similarly, Kansas faces challenges as a basketball-focused school with limited football funding, though initiatives exist to boost competitiveness. Iowa State’s recent coaching changes may bear some resemblance to Indiana’s path but lack a broader institutional shift.

Notably, Kentucky emerges as a potential candidate for a significant turnaround. Like Indiana, Kentucky is situated in a state with a strong basketball culture, although its men’s basketball program has faced recent struggles despite its historic prominence. The Wildcats have achieved more football success than Indiana historically but have not secured an outright Southeastern Conference title since 1950. New head coach Will Stein, 36, takes over a program with just nine wins over the past two seasons but is building support through aggressive use of the transfer portal, including attracting high-profile talent like former Notre Dame quarterback Kenny Minchey.

Former Indiana coach Gerry DiNardo emphasizes the critical role of Cignetti’s unique coaching abilities in Indiana’s success, suggesting that finding “the next Indiana” largely hinges on discovering a similarly exceptional leader. Stein’s fast ascent through coaching ranks and confidence in his own capabilities signals optimism within Kentucky’s program, although he differs markedly from Cignetti’s background and approach.

Ultimately, while Indiana’s meteoric rise may remain a singular achievement for now, the possibility of another rare and dramatic resurrection persists in college football’s unpredictable landscape. Kentucky, with its blend of challenges and emerging momentum, may represent the closest example of a program on the cusp of its own transformation.