Purdue Football's Reversal of Fortune: Success and Setbacks Intertwined
Purdue football has experienced a tumultuous decade, marked by both triumphs and tribulations. After enjoying a resurgence under head coach Joe Tiller in the early 2000s, the Boilermakers have struggled to maintain consistency in recent years.
The Rise and Fall of Joe Tiller's Era
When Joe Tiller arrived in West Lafayette in 1997, Purdue football was at a low point. The program had not had a winning season since 1980 and had endured three straight losing years under coach Jim Colletto. However, Tiller quickly turned things around with his innovative spread offense and recruiting success. In 2000, the Boilermakers went 9-3 and earned a berth in the Rose Bowl, their first major bowl appearance in over three decades.
Purdue continued to experience success under Tiller, winning the Big Ten Championship in 2000 and making four more bowl appearances during his tenure. However, the team's fortunes began to sour in the late 2000s. Tiller resigned in 2008 after a disappointing 3-9 season, and the Boilermakers have struggled to regain their previous level of success since then.
A Decade of Ups and Downs
Following Tiller's departure, Purdue hired Danny Hope as head coach. Hope led the Boilermakers to a bowl game in his first season, but the team struggled to maintain consistency in subsequent years. After a 1-11 campaign in 2012, Hope was fired and replaced by Darrell Hazell.
Hazell's tenure was marked by both highs and lows. He led the Boilermakers to back-to-back bowl appearances in 2015 and 2016, but the team also experienced some of its worst seasons in program history under his leadership. Hazell was fired in 2016 after compiling a 9-33 record.
Purdue hired Jeff Brohm as head coach in 2017. Brohm led the Boilermakers to a 7-6 record in his first season, and the team has continued to improve under his leadership. In 2022, Purdue finished 9-4 and earned a berth in the Citrus Bowl.
The Future of Purdue Football
Purdue football is poised for continued success under Jeff Brohm. The Boilermakers have a talented roster and a strong coaching staff, and they are poised to compete for Big Ten titles in the years to come. However, the program still faces challenges. Purdue must continue to improve its recruiting and develop its players, both on and off the field. If the Boilermakers can maintain their current trajectory, they have the potential to become a national powerhouse once again.