OT: Purdue names Ryan Walters as Football Head Coach
December 13th, 2022 at 10:51 AM ^
Does not seem like a fit. Maybe Purdue thinks they can build from defense? Will be interesting to see whom he hires as OC.
December 13th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^
There's no reason they can't build from defense. It worked for Wisconsin, it seems to be working for Illinois; there's nothing intrinsic about Purdue that should prevent that.
Back in the late seventies, Purdue had a good run with former Michigan DC Jim Young. They had a generally good defense and a pass-happy offense with Heisman also-ran Mark Hermann at QB for most of that period. (I happily remember the 26-0 shutout in the 1980 game.)
Another point is Iowa. Ferentz has obviously emphasized defense, but his predecessor Hayden Fry had achieved a very similar winning percentage as an offense-minded coach. Fry had been a quarterback as a player; he made Chuck Long into a Heisman runner-up and (sigh) first round draft choice and bust by the Lions.
It really depends on how Walter is able to hire and manage his offensive staff.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:21 PM ^
I think the concern is that if you're Purdue, can you beat teams like Iowa and Illinois at their own game? Their recruiting base isn't great. Brohm had gone against the grain and developed a tricky offense to defend. They should try to keep some of their offensive identity if they can.
December 13th, 2022 at 1:23 PM ^
Boy they made this hire so quickly--which is both understandable (recruiting season is here) and a bit perplexing. Walters seems like a great young DC but he has no HC experience and that makes this hire a crap shoot. And I gotta wonder if Purdue was going to hire a young DC why not take the time to consider Jim Leonhard who is recently freed up from Wisconsin? These young guys hired as head coaches at Power 5 schools when they have no HC experience tend to make a splash when they work out but more often than not end up being duds.
December 13th, 2022 at 10:53 AM ^
hope Bert doesn't take his feelings out on the buffet table
December 13th, 2022 at 12:06 PM ^
can he really do any more damage to the buffet table than the 100% damage he already does regulary?
tbh im more worried about the local wendy's
December 13th, 2022 at 10:56 AM ^
This is great news for Michigan - Jyaire Hill was being recruited hard by Walters.
December 13th, 2022 at 10:57 AM ^
This is a good hire - if they can pair Walters with a strong OC, Purdue will be cooking with gas.
December 13th, 2022 at 11:06 AM ^
School known as the "Cradle of QBs" hiring a Defensive guy. Interesting move Purdue.
You are not who we thought you were.
December 13th, 2022 at 1:52 PM ^
Absolutely true ! Everyone knows they should have gotten someone from the Big 12. Ryan Day should be available after next year !!!
Go Blue!
December 13th, 2022 at 11:11 AM ^
Walters was the one thing keeping Jyaire Hill from Michigan.
I expect a Hello post soon!
December 13th, 2022 at 11:13 AM ^
Now we will see just how good new look Illinois is. They won't sneak up on anyone next year and they are down their best Coordinator and possible some recruits.
I think it is good when the West has a few teams that are good so I hope they can keep some momentum into next year, but this seems like a big blow to that program.
December 13th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
They will have to replace chase brown, their CB Who was elite, and now the DC.
December 13th, 2022 at 11:28 AM ^
Illinois will still be functionally sound though limited from a talent standpoint. That's good enough to compete in the last year of the B1G West.
December 13th, 2022 at 11:25 AM ^
Like this hire from Purdue. Take away from your rival and give a shot to a young up & coming coach. I think that's 3 good hires in the B1G west this offseason!
December 13th, 2022 at 11:29 AM ^
the #westcomin
December 13th, 2022 at 12:26 PM ^
The problem with the west isnt the coaching. Brohm, PJ, Bert, even Ferentz and Fitz have had good seasons. The problem is the lack of quality players. There are 4 SEC teams that single handedly out recruit the entire West teams combined (top 25 players per recruiting cycle). Until someone lights the recruiting trail on fire it will just be seasons of auto-generated simulations determining your west winner.
December 14th, 2022 at 3:22 AM ^
Rhule could change that if he makes hay in Texas...which is possible.
December 13th, 2022 at 1:35 PM ^
Ummm, I thought Michigan was Illinois’ big rival?!
/s
December 13th, 2022 at 11:46 AM ^
Sam and Vance Bedford were floating Ryan Walters as a potential name for Michigan DC if Minter got a head coaching job. He seemed to be a great recruiter, making Michigan work for recruits like Hill and Pierce. Potentially a good hire IMO.
December 13th, 2022 at 11:46 AM ^
Wow. Purdue fans may complain more than Michigan's. Looking for more info on Walters, I ran across a twit: "We’re not winning another game." That's harsh.
My great grandma was named Walters so he does have that going for him.
December 13th, 2022 at 11:56 AM ^
I had to Google who this is….
December 13th, 2022 at 12:28 PM ^
You googled his grandma?
December 13th, 2022 at 11:58 AM ^
Is B1G west becoming the anti-big 12? First one to double digits wins?
December 13th, 2022 at 12:01 PM ^
I just read he was also considered for HC at Colorado, his alma mater.
It will be interesting to compare Deion Sanders and Walters.
Short-term, I'd bet on Sanders at Colorado. But he has spent a lifetime doing well but then moving on, so I suspect Walters will have a better career longterm at Purdue, or moving up.
December 13th, 2022 at 3:31 PM ^
I'm not deeply familiar with the Purdue roster, but with AOC done the HC moving on and likely taking some recruits with him and the school hiring a first time HC from the defensive side, the OC hire is going to be crucial. I could see the Boilermakers taking a big step back next year and then taking a few years to get going again (long-term it seems like a great hire). I don't suspect Dion will take long to get the talent in place to start competing by year 2.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:15 PM ^
A little surprised. I thought they were going to promote Brian Brohm (who had been their interim coach) as they had a solid thing going, with a creative offensive scheme that could compensate for their so-so talent on paper.
Walters did a nice job as Illinois' DC but has no HC experience. Purdue isn't the easiest place to recruit to, and it's unknown what kind of offense he favors. Might be a low floor, high ceiling hire.
December 13th, 2022 at 12:46 PM ^
It's not easy, but they do fairly well and seem to pull in some top players. In terms of recruiting, Purdue was (in the big10) 9, Illinois was 12 in 2022, both were at the bottom in 2021, Purdue 7, Illinois 14 in 2020, 5 in 2019 for Purdue and 13 for Illinois. For fun, MSU was 7 in 2019, 10 in 2020, 10 in 2021, and 4 in 2022. So very similar rankings to them
December 13th, 2022 at 12:49 PM ^
He's been following his big brother everywhere he goes. Plus, I don't know if I'd want the brother of the guy who left us, especially if he doesn't have a solid track record without said brother.
December 13th, 2022 at 1:22 PM ^
Makes sense. It would be a little weird, now that I think about it.
December 13th, 2022 at 1:59 PM ^
He can coach for sure. Now let's see if he can recruit. Brohm ran a good program.
December 13th, 2022 at 3:53 PM ^
An exhaustive search, I'm sure.
December 14th, 2022 at 3:19 AM ^
Jesus. Wisconsin was Wisconsin. Then, Illinois also became Wisconsin. Now, by way of Illinois, Purdue will also become Wisconsin. Brohm was the only thing keeping the West mildly interesting. They can't kill these divisions fast enough.