Dec 2

Dec 2 BSSF First Up: BDowd's Coaching Candidates

2024

After an abysmal ending to a season that set the wrong type of records, Purdue released a statement that announced Ryan Walters’ dismissal as Purdue’s head football coach. The season’s struggles are bookended by the two worst defeats in the 135 year history of the program (aside from the Indiana State win in week 1).

As I watched the season unfold, I started preparing a list of names of coaches that I would hope AD Bobinski and the search firm would contact at the season’s end. The list shifted and changed a bit, but my guiding lights for my list were defined by a few important factors:

Candidates need to have a career head-coaching winning percentage over 60%
Candidates need to have a 4+ year resume as a Head Football Coach. This factor should help Purdue’s next coach avoid some of the pitfalls we witnessed this season and last year, as the staff was built
An offensive-minded coach is essential. Purdue’s program successes in the modern era (1980-today) and before have come with innovative offensive coaches and play-callers…not to mention high-level, game-changing QB play.

The ideal candidate would not be in the position that his alma mater will come calling to easily woo him away from Purdue. We’ve been through that recently and I don’t wanna play that game again. In a perfect world this candidate will have a history of resurrecting programs that were in poor shape…bonus points for candidates with experience in a disadvantaged program with high academic standards, less-than-ideal resources or high level of blueblood regional recruiting competition.

One more ideal situation…and this one is imperative: The next coach needs to be able to bring or build a staff based on deep connections and personnel knowledge…This might be the biggest definer of early success for the incoming staff. Hopefully, he’ll be able to bring a few players with him as well to help set the tone for the team and lead by example.

Joe Tiller brought his staff from Wyoming and moved around quite a few players on the roster after assessing the situation, and was able to hit the ground running. Danny Hope inherited much of his staff from Tiller, Darrell Hazell wasn’t able to build his staff and was guided in the process…and the disjointedness showed early and throughout his 3.5 seasons in West Lafayette. Jeff Brohm brought much of his staff from WKU and plugged in a few transfers at key need positions and took Purdue to a bowl in the first season.

Next season’s schedule will once again be tough…but the first two games should be confidence-builders and will provide a little bit of a runway before two monstrously-difficult road tests. This next staff will need every advantage possible…a plug-and-play staff is essential.

Enough jibber-jabber…here’s the list:

#1) Jamey Chadwell, Liberty University HC

119-61 [66%], 47years old, born in Tennessee, ETSU grad

Four seasons at Coastal Carolina, two seasons at Liberty.

Highlights: 2 11-win seasons at CC, 13-win first season at Liberty, Four bowl appearances, Two Conference titles

Biggest Strengths: He’d be a fit because his offenses move the ball well and he develops QBs. His offenses are balanced and based on read option play-calling

Biggest Concerns: Purdue would be his first job North of Tennessee…weather and recruiting might take some adjustment. His current salary is $4million, so he won’t come cheap.

#2) Jason Candle, University of Toledo HC

72-40 [64%], 45 years old, born in Ohio, Geneva College/Mount Union

Nine seasons at Toledo.

Highlights: 2 11-win seasons, Seven bowl appearances, Two Conference titles.

Biggest Strengths: He’d be a fit because he runs a fast-paced, spread offense that keeps defenses honest by utilizing a ton of receivers.

Biggest Concern: Long-time MAC coach who hasn’t been a big name during coaching searches…not much sizzle here.

#3) Ryan Silverfield, University of Memphis HC

41-21 [66%], 44 years old, born in Florida, Never played college football

Five seasons at Memphis

Highlights: 2 10-win seasons at Memphis, Four bowl appearances (3-1), Two Conference titles.

Biggest Strengths: He’d be a fit because his pass/run balanced offenses move the ball well and he has developed good RBs and QBs and his offenses score a ton of points (19th in ‘24, 6th in ‘23).

Biggest Concerns: Has never won a conference title, inherited a strong program from Mike Norvell.

#4) Tyson Helton, Western Kentucky University HC

48-30 [61%], 47 years old, born in Florida, University of Houston alum

Six seasons at WKU

Highlights: Took WKU back to a bowl after a two-year haitus, Three nine-win seasons, Five bowl games (4-1)

Biggest Strengths: He’d be a fit because his pass-heavy, 4 and 5-wideout offenses will be like delicious comfort food to many Purdue fans, very solid career at WKU

Biggest Concern: He was passed over by Purdue when Ryan Walters was hired.

#5) Matt Campbell, Iowa State University HC

98-65 [60%], 45 years old, born in Ohio, Pitt & Mount Union alum

Eight seasons at Iowa State, Four at Toledo

Highlights: Fmr MAC and B12 COY, Nine bowl games, One nine-win, one ten-win (2024) season

Biggest Strengths: He’d be a fit because he is steady, knows how to run a program, former OC who has developed balanced offenses and tough defenses, has run a program that has some head winds.

BIG name…might be the easiest way to keep the roster in tact.

Biggest Concern: Purdue would probably have to pay him $6mil/yr plus $4+mil buyout…probably the most expensive option on the list.

#6) Chip Kelly, an Ohio State University OC

81-41 [66%], 61 years old, born in New Hampshire, UNH grad

One season as aOSU’s OC, Five seasons at UCLA, Four seasons in the NFL, Four seasons at Oregon

Highlights: Three Pac12 Championships, Four BCS games (all at Oregon), 10, 12, 12 and 12-win seasons at Oregon, 9-win season at UCLA

Biggest Strengths: He’d be a good fit because he is still regarded as one of the best offensive minds in college football and he developed Heisman winner Marcus Mariota.

Biggest Concern: He’s a a gamble because of his age, recent resignation from UCLA as HC and greatest success occurred many years ago.