(We are so, so sorry for that terrible headline)
As expected, the Sunday following the last major college football weekend (for most teams) is turning into a festival of firings. Tom O’Brien (North Carolina State) and Gene Chizik (Auburn) are two coaches that have already been shown the door. Now, you can add Purdue coach Danny Hope to that group.
The university announced Sunday that Hope has been relieved of his duties as head coach after just four seasons. Wide receivers coach Patrick Higgins will serve as interim head coach for the Boilermakers’ bowl game.
Hope will receive a $600,000 buyout for his efforts, or lack thereof.
“There is no question that our football program has seen considerable growth under Danny’s leadership, particularly in the areas of academics, player development and recruiting,” athletic director Morgan Burke said. “I applaud him for his passion about Purdue University and the young men he coaches. He and his staff have devoted their lives to improving the program, but as I told him earlier this afternoon, those efforts did not equate to the consistent on-field success that both of us expected.
“I want to personally thank Danny and his wife, Sally, for their contributions not only to Purdue but to the Greater Lafayette community.
The move comes just one day after the Boilermakers beat Indiana 56-35 to end the season on a three-game winning streak.
Hope is 23-27 overall and 13-19 in the Big Ten during his four years with the Boilermakers. Hope’s best season came last year when Purdue went 7-6. He took over the program in 2009, succeeding Joe Tiller.
For the entire 2012 coaching carousel, click HERE.
