PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pitt offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti, Junior lost his father Frank Cignetti, Senior as it was announced on Saturday. Cignetti is expected to coach the Panthers game against Tennessee.
Born in Apollo, Cignetti started his career as an assistant at Leechberg HS only to be hired by Pitt in the late 60s. He would coach a season as an assistant at Princeton in 1969 before being hired the following season at West Virginia to be the offensive coordinator for Bobby Bowden. Cignetti was the head coach of the Mountaineers from 1976-79.
The Western PA native then took over Indiana University of Pennsylvania leading an amazing two decade run. Cignetti led the Indians to a 182-50-1 record including making the Division II national championship game twice. He would finish 15-13 in the postseason winning 14 PSAC West titles.
Cignetti, Senior was an All-American offensive lineman at IUP, then known as the Indiana State Teachers College. He’s a member of the inaugural IUP Hall of Fame class as well as being inducted in the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 2013.
Cignetti’s other son, Curt, is currently the head coach at James Madison University and a former Pitt assistant coach.