When it comes to game-day routines, Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti has a surprisingly simple—but oddly effective—secret weapon: a Chipotle burrito bowl.
According to team insiders, this isn’t a casual indulgence—it’s a daily ritual.
Every single day, unless traveling, Cignetti fuels himself with the same combination of rice, beans, chicken, and guacamole.
It might sound quirky, but this consistency seems to mirror the transformation he’s led at Indiana.
Before his arrival, the Hoosiers endured three losing seasons with a 9-26 record.
Under Cignetti’s guidance, however, they flipped the script—culminating in a thrilling 27-21 win over the Miami Hurricanes in the College Football Playoff final on Monday night.
The Burrito Bowl Behind the Magic
Jake McDonald, assistant director of football operations, gave a glimpse into the coach’s obsession.
“He just wants to eat, watch his film, and focus on the next game,” McDonald told the Washington Street Journal. “He’s a simple man.”
McDonald isn’t just a bystander—he’s also the one picking up the daily orders, racking up thousands of reward points along the way.
Over the past couple of years, McDonald has bought around 64,000 bowls for Cignetti, totaling roughly $6,400.
After their semifinal win over Oregon, he had accumulated 18,529 points—enough for 11 free burritos, 37 sides of guacamole, 53 bags of chips, and 218 extra tortillas.
Chipotle’s Celebrity Connection
Cignetti’s devotion hasn’t gone unnoticed by the restaurant itself.
A Chipotle spokesperson said, “We are aware of Coach Cignetti’s fandom and have been in contact with his management.
Right now, it’s important that we allow him to continue focusing on his team’s ultimate goal.”
If his streak continues, Cignetti might even join the ranks of the restaurant’s famous “Celebrity Card” holders—a program started in 2003 for notable superfans.
Past recipients include rock legend Ozzy Osbourne, rapper Big Sean, and New York Knicks star Mikal Bridges, who reportedly eats Chipotle every day.
A Long-Standing Love for Routine
Cignetti’s devotion to repetition isn’t new.
It dates back 15 years to his first head-coaching role at the University of Pennsylvania, where game-day meals were strictly regimented.
Former punter Brett Ullman recalls, “It was always chicken and zucchini or squash. Only once, when we went far in the playoffs, did we get steak.”
His love for Chipotle started in Indiana when he casually handed McDonald his card and said, “Here’s my card. Go.” Since then, everyone at the local Chipotle knows his order by heart.
Seven Days a Week, No Exceptions
McDonald admits that even for a Chipotle fan, eating seven days a week is impressive.
“I like Chipotle, but getting it seven days a week? I couldn’t do it as much as he does,” he laughed.
Despite this, the routine clearly works.
The Hoosiers’ success on the field and Cignetti’s unwavering pre-game ritual show that sometimes, the key to victory is as simple as a burrito bowl.
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