Indiana Hoosiers head football coach Curt Cignetti has received a positive update regarding the eligibility of his safety, Louis Moore. Moore's eligibility for the 2025 season was in question, but he has been granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA.

Moore's journey to this point has been complex. He initially attended Navarro Junior College from 2019 to 2021. He redshirted in 2019, and the 2020 season was affected by COVID-19, granting players an exemption from using a year of eligibility. Moore then played at Indiana in 2022 and 2023 before transferring to Ole Miss for the 2024 season. He returned to Indiana, seeking to play in 2025, but his eligibility was challenged by the NCAA.

The central issue revolves around whether Moore's 2021 season at Navarro College should count against his eligibility. Moore and his representation argue it shouldn't, while the NCAA believes it should be included in the "five years to play four seasons" framework. This disagreement led to Moore's lawsuit against the NCAA. He argues that not being able to play would result in lost NIL compensation.

Cignetti voiced his support for Moore, acknowledging the broader issue affecting college athletes. He pointed out the case of Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, which led to a blanket waiver for junior college transfers. Moore's case hinges on whether this waiver applies to his situation.

Judge Dale Tillery granted Moore a temporary restraining order, allowing him to practice with the team until an August 27 hearing. The judge recognized the potential harm to Moore if he couldn't join the team for practice. A temporary injunction, if granted at the hearing, would likely clear Moore to play for the entire 2025 season. Until then, mediation between Moore's attorney and the NCAA's attorney has been ordered.

This temporary restraining order is a positive development for Moore and the Hoosiers. Moore has been practicing with Indiana since the spring and is a significant part of the team. Cignetti is trying to navigate injuries to key players such as D'Angelo Ponds and Rolijah Hardy and the absence of Amare Ferrell, who was dealing with the loss of his mother. The uncertainty around Moore's eligibility adds another layer of complexity as the season approaches. Indiana's season kicks off on August 30 against Old Dominion.

Curt Cignetti was named head football coach at Indiana University on November 30, 2023. Cignetti has a 8-year contract with Indiana University through 2032. In his first year, Cignetti led the Hoosiers to an 11-2 record and an 8-1 mark in the Big Ten, earning him Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. He is the first Division I head coach to start 10-0 in consecutive seasons at different schools. Cignetti is trying to improve the team and is focused on having the right people and good coaching continuity.