DALLAS — Frank Cignetti, who spent 10 seasons at West Virginia as offensive coordinator and head coach before enjoying prolonged success in Division II, was announced as a member of the Divisional College Football Hall of Fame’s 2013 class.
Cignetti became the winningest coach in Indiana University of Pennsylvania history, leading the Hawks to a 182-50-1 mark from 1986 to 2005, highlighted by D-II national title game appearances in 1990 and 1993.
A former NAIA All-American who played end at IUP from 1956-59, Cignetti was an inaugural member of his alma mater’s athletics hall of fame in 1996, and served as the school’s athletics director from 1982-98.
He took IUP to 13 Division II playoffs appearances, including six trips to the national semifinals, and he led the Hawks to at least a co-share of the PSAC Western Division title 14 times. IUP ranked in the Top 20 each season from 1986-2004. He retired after the 2005 season as the third-winningest active coach in Division II.
Cignetti served as the offensive coordinator at WVU under head coach Bobby Bowden from 1970-75 before taking over as the Mountaineers’ head coach for four seasons (1976-79), a stint during which WVU was 17-27.
The Divisional College Football Hall of Fame considers players and coaches from the NCAA Football Championship Subdivision, Divisions II, III and the NAIA for induction. The class includes:
PLAYERS:
· Shelby Jordan – Washington University in St. Louis [Mo.], linebacker (1969-72)
· Joe Micchia – Westminster College [Pa.], quarterback (1987-89)
· Art Shell – University of Maryland Eastern Shore, offensive tackle (1964-67)
· Jeff Wittman – Ithaca College [N.Y.], fullback (1989-92)
COACHES:
· James “Boots” Donnelly – Austin Peay State University (1977-78), Middle Tennessee State University (1979-98); 154-94-1
· Jess Dow – Southern Connecticut State University (1948-65); 108-40-6