List your #3 REALISTIC choices for HC...not Gruden, Briles, Herman, etc...

[ChicagoBoiler78]

Fleck
Taggart
Clawson (Doubt he would leave WF for Purdue)

Purdue football needs a program builder. I think all 3 qualify as one.

 

[JRHawk2003]

Hawkeye Fan here who is old enough to remember you guys and your QB tradition and how you beat us from like 1961 to 1981.

Is Brock Spack not a candidate? I figured given his history he might be. Not having a great year this year, but he would certainly get Purdue.

 

[RDUBoiler]

Hawkeye Fan here who is old enough to remember you guys and your QB tradition and how you beat us from like 1961 to 1981.

Is Brock Spack not a candidate? I figured given his history he might be. Not having a great year this year, but he would certainly get Purdue.

I think for a lot of us, that ship has sailed. Spack loves Purdue and obviously knows the culture, but it feels like we need a more eye-popping hire.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

Fleck
Brohm
Diaco

Forgot about diaco, I bet he's on the short list.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

1. PJ Fleck: he may inevitably go somewhere else so we may need to hope that teams like PSU, NU, and other middle of the road P5 teams to do well that may change coaches. Our advantage for Fleck is the close location being in his coaching backyard, being in the B1G, and in a division that appears to be easier to win in.

2. Les Miles: not sure it will happen but he could serve as an instant upgrade and get the program moving forward. He may be older (63) but if he can push the program forward for 5-6 years and get to 6-7 wins...that would leave the program in a position to have a larger pool to hire from. Plus, the circumstances surrounding his dissmisal at LSU may have lit a bit of a fire for him.

3. Greg Schiano: He makes a good amount of scratch at OSU ($600k) and only signed a one year deal. That screams to me he is highly interested in getting a new HC job. He proved he can do it at Rutgers and having more resources at Purdue may prove he is ready for a bigger job. He played at Bucknell so there isn't a threat of 'going home' somewhere BUT he does have experience at Miami (FL) so he might be interested of Richt doesn't cut it and Schiano improves the Boilers back to respect.

Other than that, I have a number of choices that I think would be able to push Purdue forward and whoever does is going to look like a damn good coach doing so.

List of Others:
Craig Bohl (HC Wyoming)
Major Applewhite (OC Houston)
Lincoln Riley (OC Oklahoma)
Scott Satterfield (HC Appalachain State)
Trent Miles (HC Georgia State)

I would be more than happy to post my rationale for any of these additional guys that I listed as well.

Wait - which Gruden are you saying is not realistic?

 

[Cevol03]

The more research I do on Lincoln Riley, the more and more he seems pretty impressive

 

[Gemini95]

Terry Bowden

 

[Cantonman]

Purdue could certainly use a coach who displays some fire and emotion. Watching Hazell, was like being at a funeral wake! Purdue also needs to stay away from FCS coaches!

Pelini
Kiffin
Current staff member
And it looks like Kelly from ND will be available after this season!

 

[Dryfly88]

Second the Dino Babers suggestion. My Son went to Eastern Illinois while Dino was there. As already stated he has only been at Syracuse for a year so maybe too soon.

Would love for us to get a big "splash" guy, just don't know if we will be able to pull that off.

 

[Cantonman]

I'd also contact Drew Brees and see if he plans to retire and if so, gauge his interest!

 

[BoilerBonz]

I hate to have to put this stipulation on a hire, but Purdue is such an unusual place with such an unusual situation with $, academics, etc., you almost need to hire someone who truly knows what they are getting in to. Someone who played here or worked here... Even if it was a season. Hazell thought he knew Purdue from coming in as an opposing assistant. It is such a different animal.

I think choices I have read are obvious, but expect the unexpected.

Not disagreeing, just asking, why do you think PU is so different from most other P5s?

 

[RegionWarrior101]

Not disagreeing, just asking, why do you think PU is so different from most other P5s?

Well the funding of our Athletic Department- self funded JPC makes us somewhat unique. We are careful with money or have that perception. Commitment to football is up for discussion. Our admission standards are pretty high, maybe not ND but more stringent than most. West Lafayette is kind of a unique city within itself. Some people aren't sure where Purdue is, that it is public, etc. We were not on the map, Brees put us back on the map, but we haven't been relevant in 14 years; off the map.

 

[pb1941]

1. PJ Fleck: he may inevitably go somewhere else so we may need to hope that teams like PSU, NU, and other middle of the road P5 teams to do well that may change coaches. Our advantage for Fleck is the close location being in his coaching backyard, being in the B1G, and in a division that appears to be easier to win in.

2. Les Miles: not sure it will happen but he could serve as an instant upgrade and get the program moving forward. He may be older (63) but if he can push the program forward for 5-6 years and get to 6-7 wins...that would leave the program in a position to have a larger pool to hire from. Plus, the circumstances surrounding his dissmisal at LSU may have lit a bit of a fire for him.

3. Greg Schiano: He makes a good amount of scratch at OSU ($600k) and only signed a one year deal. That screams to me he is highly interested in getting a new HC job. He proved he can do it at Rutgers and having more resources at Purdue may prove he is ready for a bigger job. He played at Bucknell so there isn't a threat of 'going home' somewhere BUT he does have experience at Miami (FL) so he might be interested of Richt doesn't cut it and Schiano improves the Boilers back to respect.

Other than that, I have a number of choices that I think would be able to push Purdue forward and whoever does is going to look like a damn good coach doing so.

List of Others:
Craig Bohl (HC Wyoming)
Major Applewhite (OC Houston)
Lincoln Riley (OC Oklahoma)
Scott Satterfield (HC Appalachain State)
Trent Miles (HC Georgia State)

I would be more than happy to post my rationale for any of these additional guys that I listed as well.

Jim Chaney he was o/c and r/c when Tiller brought his offense to Purdue in 97.Then just o/c from 01 to 05 and left for another job.

 

[Secrefreakintariat]

1. Fleck
2. Brohm
3. Strong

I'd be ecstatic with any of those three.

 

[PaBoiler78]

I hate to have to put this stipulation on a hire, but Purdue is such an unusual place with such an unusual situation with $, academics, etc., you almost need to hire someone who truly knows what they are getting in to. Someone who played here or worked here... Even if it was a season. Hazell thought he knew Purdue from coming in as an opposing assistant. It is such a different animal.

I think choices I have read are obvious, but expect the unexpected.

Fleck
Norvell
Brohm

 

[JayTheOkay]

My wild arse guess is Butch Davis. He's a good recruiter but not the most honorable guy.

 

[MilwaukeeBoilerFan]

1) Sumlin - Come back home, walk out of the record books at Texas A&M that says your on the hot seat (crazy) & build and become a Legend at Purdue. That would have the potential to rival John Wooden and other high profile All-American Legacies of Purdue. Many may think it is impossible, but you never know till you talk to the man. He may be more interested than we may ever know. I.E. think of Barry Alvarez at Madison. Fantastic football program, the University knows of his keen Athletic Directorship, then the town and state has loved him ever since. That is the potential Sumlin could have at Purdue. Yes, coach Sumlin has a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Purdue so, there literally would be a new Sheriff in town!

2) PJ Fleck. Energetic and successful. Should get high consideration
3) Jeff Brohm. Simple...50+ points is fun no matter what. It sells tickets.
4) Les Miles. Concerned that the term Draconian Offense is used in the same sentences with the guy. Recruiting talent would improve, but could we really get back to national prominence or would it be Fred Akers part II? As long as I'm pondering it, I think it might be too tall a task for Les to come in and try to get talent from the territories owned by tOSU, Michigan and ND. Tiller figured out to use the "gimmicky" basketball on grass and could win a lot of games and keep us entertained. It never took us over the top with exception of the 1st few years. It was all about mismatches and getting the hot hand going. I have to admit it was fun to watch. If Les Miles comes to town with Draconian Offense as some have said, it would seem like we'd be doing it with talent that may not light up the scoreboard if ever and that is where we are right now and have been for 3+ years. The more I think about it, the more keep him at a distant fourth.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

1) Sumlin - Come back home, walk out of the record books at Texas A&M that says your on the hot seat (crazy) & build and become a Legend at Purdue. That would have the potential to rival John Wooden and other high profile All-American Legacies of Purdue. Many may think it is impossible, but you never know till you talk to the man. He may be more interested than we may ever know. I.E. think of Barry Alvarez at Madison. Fantastic football program, the University knows of his keen Athletic Directorship, then the town and state has loved him ever since. That is the potential Sumlin could have at Purdue. Yes, coach Sumlin has a degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Purdue so, there literally would be a new Sheriff in town!

2) PJ Fleck. Energetic and successful. Should get high consideration
3) Jeff Brohm. Simple...50+ points is fun no matter what. It sells tickets.
4) Les Miles. Concerned that the term Draconian Offense is used in the same sentences with the guy. Recruiting talent would improve, but could we really get back to national prominence or would it be Fred Akers part II? As long as I'm pondering it, I think it might be too tall a task for Les to come in and try to get talent from the territories owned by tOSU, Michigan and ND. Tiller figured out to use the "gimmicky" basketball on grass and could win a lot of games and keep us entertained. It never took us over the top with exception of the 1st few years. It was all about mismatches and getting the hot hand going. I have to admit it was fun to watch. If Les Miles comes to town with Draconian Offense as some have said, it would seem like we'd be doing it with talent that may not light up the scoreboard if ever and that is where we are right now and have been for 3+ years. The more I think about it, the more keep him at a distant fourth.

We all realize that this could be a long haul to turn that program back around...why not turn the program over to a guy like Les who will improve the lines and pick up recruiting? Will be get Purdue to the promised land and win a West Divison title? Probably not BUT the goal right now should be to get back to 6-8 wins a year...that would be light years ahead of the past decade of a coach can come in and establish that as the basis for the program. Les could probably do that in 2-3 years and then that allows the pool of candidates to grow for the next hire (see South Carolina).

 

[RegionWarrior101]

We all realize that this could be a long haul to turn that program back around...why not turn the program over to a guy like Les who will improve the lines and pick up recruiting? Will be get Purdue to the promised land and win a West Divison title? Probably not BUT the goal right now should be to get back to 6-8 wins a year...that would be light years ahead of the past decade of a coach can come in and establish that as the basis for the program. Les could probably do that in 2-3 years and then that allows the pool of candidates to grow for the next hire (see South Carolina).

I am not sure if Les the good recruiter at OSU and LSU is the same as Les recruiting at Purdue.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

I am not sure if Les the good recruiter at OSU and LSU is the same as Les recruiting at Purdue.

If you look at the reactions of the potential recruits to Hazell being let go, I think that tells you that you need high ability recruiters on your staff with the HC being the 'closer.' I think if Les is able to attract some good recruiters with him on staff, Les would be able to close with his name and his background.

Here would be my personal favorite staff to piece together.
HC: Les Miles
DC: Ed Orgeron
OC: Bob Stitt
WR: Gerard Parker (Associate HC if he shows an ability to lead the program in these final 6 weeks)

 

[RegionWarrior101]

If you look at the reactions of the potential recruits to Hazell being let go, I think that tells you that you need high ability recruiters on your staff with the HC being the 'closer.' I think if Les is able to attract some good recruiters with him on staff, Les would be able to close with his name and his background.

Here would be my personal favorite staff to piece together.
HC: Les Miles
DC: Ed Orgeron
OC: Bob Stitt
WR: Gerard Parker (Associate HC if he shows an ability to lead the program in these final 6 weeks)

Ed Orgeron has never been a DC. He is a recruiter, a recruiting coordinator, a rah rah guy, but never ran a defense. Also has spent all but 3 of 34 years coaching South of Kentucky.

 

[SqueakyClean]

No offense to anyone who mentioned him, but HELL NO to Kiffin.
1) He would not come here. He is going to wait it out until Saban retires or jump at another big time program that comes calling (Texas, Florida, etc.)
2) Even if we somehow managed to land him, he would jump at the next opportunity offered that was perceived as slightly better.

If you are going to hire him based upon the merit of the Alabama offense running well, I would take Applewhite first.

 

[JohnnyDoeBoiler]

Ed Orgeron has never been a DC. He is a recruiter, a recruiting coordinator, a rah rah guy, but never ran a defense. Also has spent all but 3 of 34 years coaching South of Kentucky.

Very true about Orgeron and I guess I simply believed Miles was a defensive minded coach. Miles background is on the offensive side of the ball. Not sure he would click with a guy like Stitt who has openly said he would love a P5 job as an OC IF given free reign.

Still think Miles should be option A at this point BUT that should come with the understanding that he needs to have an offense that is more traditionally successful at Purdue. You don't have to have 5 WR's to throw the ball around. You can be in traditional sets (and I consider a shotgun with 3 WR's a traditional set at this point) and Miles should be able to find a guy who can bring that style to Purdue.

I guess maybe instead of making Orgeron the DC make him the DL coach and recruiting coordinator while also acting as Associate HC. If Miles like Randy Melvin enough, could always slide Orgeron to LB's (where he does have some experience) to keep Melvin on staff when he does have a history with Purdue being successful.

Updated now that RegionWarrior blew a hole in my argument!
HC: Les Miles
OC: Tee Martin (current OC at USC: if Chad Martin is fired, he will be looking for a job. Known as a top notch recruiter as well)
DC: Not sure who to go with here quite honestly without it seemingly being a complete draw from a hat.
DL: Randy Melvin
LB: Ed Orgeron (Recruiting Coordinator & Associate HC)
WR: Gerard Parker

 

[RegionWarrior101]

I think an all-star staff is good in principle, but it may be better to bring in guys who have worked together. Tiller's first staff had 8/9 guys with him at Wyoming. Became 7/9 when Korpitz passed away. That continuity helped. He also gave all assistants a 3 year commitment in exchange for the same.

 

[MJ-79Boiler]

You said realistic . . right ?

Craig Bohl (HC of Wyoming)
114-52 (with a third of those losses coming from turning around Wyoming)
put together the kids which won 5 straight national championships at North Dakota State
First 3 yrs at Wyoming (4-8, 2-10, 4-2 this year this year & 2-0 in conf.)

Yes he is older and may only give us 4-5 years . . but it is "realistically" going to take 2 coaches to turn the program around anyway.

Bottom line: We need a "demonstrated" program builder, recruiter (11 players in NFL), and lots and lot and lots of experience ! ! !

 

[rthess]

I think if you guys can land Miles and use the TV money, you can instantly increase your program's credibility for your recruiting staff. You're going to have to pay him and his staff and you're going to have to be patient as he rebuilds your lines. That takes a couple recruiting classes and a couple years. You may find that he gets your next head coach as a coordinator.

Recruiting Linemen is the top Priority. The new coach needs a an influx of JC linemen and Freshmen linemen. The mix of both will enable the program to have some consistency going forward.

 

[rthess]

1. PJ Fleck: I love his passion & energy. He's a great recruiter and plus he has a experience building a program.

View embedded media

2. Les Miles: Great coach but I don't think his offensive philosophy would work for Purdue. However he would bring a lot of excitement to the program.

3. Dino Babers: I doubt he leaves Syracuse after one season. I love his offense & he knows Purdue.

Recruiting success is a very complex thing for Purdue and schools like Purdue. One thing that is most important is the personality of the coaches. Coaches that can sell Purdue and relate to the players and their family is the most important thing.

 

[lbodel]

NO...to someone from the NFL. We need someone who can recruit too...not someone who has never recruited.

Ditto. Also interesting that most people are just dinging off current head coaches.

Look at Maryland's coaching search last year - I think ours will be very similar.

 

[lbodel]

Recruiting success is a very complex thing for Purdue and schools like Purdue. One thing that is most important is the personality of the coaches. Coaches that can sell Purdue and relate to the players and their family is the most important thing.

Not to mention recruiting well in the MAC and building a program in the MAC is not the same thing as the Big Ten.

I think Purdue needs someone who knows how to build a program, but Fleck also has little experience working in 'major' college football. I just don't want anyone who is in over their head. No offense, while Hazell doesn't have the crazy outgoing personality of Fleck, a lot of the same traits that were touted in his hire are being touted with Fleck. I certainly think Fleck is a better candidate, but I'm not sure I'm sold on the flavor of the month MAC coach this time...

 

[lbodel]

Well the funding of our Athletic Department- self funded JPC makes us somewhat unique. We are careful with money or have that perception. Commitment to football is up for discussion. Our admission standards are pretty high, maybe not ND but more stringent than most. West Lafayette is kind of a unique city within itself. Some people aren't sure where Purdue is, that it is public, etc. We were not on the map, Brees put us back on the map, but we haven't been relevant in 14 years; off the map.

While Purdue does have some challenges, your post significantly overstates them.

Of course we don't have a large bank account - but most schools do not. When Purdue hired Hazell, he wasn't our first couple choices - those choices went to schools for less money than we ended up paying for Hazell. What we don't know is what Purdue was doing and then if the offer got upped because we were running out of choices and Hazell had to get secured. But when Purdue hired Hazell, they were paying a pretty standard major conference non-powerhouse rate for a head coaching hire. But does Purdue have a history of trying to do things on the cheaper end? Sure.

Secondly, our admissions standards are not "pretty high". They may be slightly above average, but we're not missing out on any recruits we truly want that any other Big Ten school is welcoming with open arms. That is NOT what is holding us back.

The West Lafayette factor? I mean, most Big Ten schools are not located in major cities and obviously have similar (or worse) weather than West Lafayette. I'm not sure whether knowing if Purdue is a public or private school has anything to do with football recruiting.

So yes, Purdue has some challenges - as do most schools. Purdue also has some strengths.

 

[regionwarrior]

While Purdue does have some challenges, your post significantly overstates them.

Of course we don't have a large bank account - but most schools do not. When Purdue hired Hazell, he wasn't our first couple choices - those choices went to schools for less money than we ended up paying for Hazell. What we don't know is what Purdue was doing and then if the offer got upped because we were running out of choices and Hazell had to get secured. But when Purdue hired Hazell, they were paying a pretty standard major conference non-powerhouse rate for a head coaching hire. But does Purdue have a history of trying to do things on the cheaper end? Sure.

Secondly, our admissions standards are not "pretty high". They may be slightly above average, but we're not missing out on any recruits we truly want that any other Big Ten school is welcoming with open arms. That is NOT what is holding us back.

The West Lafayette factor? I mean, most Big Ten schools are not located in major cities and obviously have similar (or worse) weather than West Lafayette. I'm not sure whether knowing if Purdue is a public or private school has anything to do with football recruiting.

So yes, Purdue has some challenges - as do most schools. Purdue also has some strengths.

I would put Madison, Columbus, Ann Arbor, etc. above West Lafayette, Indiana. If Purdue was in Indianapolis, then it would be on par with those places.

 

[Dryfly88]

I would put Madison, Columbus, Ann Arbor, etc. above West Lafayette, Indiana. If Purdue was in Indianapolis, then it would be on par with those places.

I agree with the cities you listed, they are much better than West Lafayette. But what about Iowa City, Lincoln, Champaign or East Lansing? I have lived in (2) of those and they have nothing on WL.

 

[regionwarrior]

I agree with the cities you listed, they are much better than West Lafayette. But what about Iowa City, Lincoln, Champaign or East Lansing? I have lived in (2) of those and they have nothing on WL.

Which is where we used to be and should be in the second tier. Nebraska is the only unique one in that having a 50 year tradition of success makes it unique.

 

[BoilerBiker]

Fwiw
Spack dismisses notion of Purdue job
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/co...cle_c8163fd5-4810-5983-9b24-48ca199b7dc2.html

 

[regionwarrior]

Fwiw
Spack dismisses notion of Purdue job
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/co...cle_c8163fd5-4810-5983-9b24-48ca199b7dc2.html

Interesting take. I disagree with him in that if you replace someone you have a clear plan. I don't think we have a clear idea.

 

[New Pal Boiler]

I would put Madison, Columbus, Ann Arbor, etc. above West Lafayette, Indiana. If Purdue was in Indianapolis, then it would be on par with those places.

What about Palo Alto? I bet we could get David Shaw to leave Northern California for West Laffy.

 

[lbodel]

I would put Madison, Columbus, Ann Arbor, etc. above West Lafayette, Indiana. If Purdue was in Indianapolis, then it would be on par with those places.

We aren't anywhere close to competing with Ohio State, Wisconsin or Michigan. My whole point was that there are a few schools that have very strong positions on many different facets - those 3 would be probably my top 3.

Cherrypicking 3 fun cities when you have a conference of 14 isn't a very strong argument. It's also ignoring the big picture - there's all sorts of factors. There are schools in very basic towns that have little going on in them - ever been to Clemson? Not much there. Eugene Oregon? And using that logic, Minnesota should have a baller football program given it's in a major city and has brand new facilities.

The coaches and personnel you have has more to do with anything else.

 

[rgarlitz]

Fwiw
Spack dismisses notion of Purdue job
http://www.pantagraph.com/sports/co...cle_c8163fd5-4810-5983-9b24-48ca199b7dc2.html

Very interesting comments from Stash; thanks for posting.

It sounds like Spack is not interested in the job. He seems comfortable at ISU and at peace with where his career has taken him. Maybe he's reached the point in his life where he realizes "this is where I belong."

I can't say I blame him. Purdue is a monumental rebuild fraught with uncertainty. I'm sure he knows he wouldn't enjoy unqualified fan support.

I'm not saying Purdue should pursue him, but I wonder what Spack would say if the phone does ring.

 

[IronChefBBQ]

Skip Holtz
Kendal Briles
Brohm


Offense, offense, offense..!

 

[JPurdue]

Miles; Fleck; Brohm.