The Zeitgeist List · coaching

Purdue: a football coaching history

Regional Program III#95 of 138–
See Purdue’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →
← all coaches
Program GOAT
Jack Mollenkopf
Peaked at Power Program II
Built by
Joe Tiller
Regional Program II → Power Program III (+21.2)
The fall
Darrell Hazell
National Program III → Regional Program III (−13.0)
Right now
Barry Odom
in year 2 — too new to place in Purdue's history

Stature & coaches, 1936–2026

The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.

program stature (★ = Dynasty-tier season)ElwardHolcombMollenkopfYoungBurtnettCollettoTillerBrohm19401960198020002020

Every coach

2025–now
Barry Odomshort tenure
2–10
2023–2024
Ryan Waltersshort tenure
5–19
2022–2022
Brian Brohmshort tenure
0–1
2017–2022
Jeff Brohmcaretaker
Jeff Brohm moved Purdue from Regional Program III to Regional Program I in 6 seasons.
Regional Program I
36–34
2016–2016
Gerad Parkershort tenure
0–6
2013–2016
Darrell Hazellcaretaker
Darrell Hazell slid Purdue from National Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
−13.0
9–33
2012–2012
Patrick Higginsshort tenure
0–1
2009–2012
Danny Hopecaretaker
Danny Hope held Purdue at National Program I for 4 seasons.
−10.8
19–24
1997–2008
Joe Tillerbuilder
Joe Tiller raised Purdue from Regional Program II to Power Program III.
+21.2
87–62
1991–1996
Jim Collettocaretaker
Jim Colletto moved Purdue from Regional Program III to Regional Program II in 6 seasons.
Regional Program II
20–43
1987–1990
Fred Akerscaretaker
Fred Akers slid Purdue from National Program III to Regional Program I in 4 seasons.
−9.4
12–31
1982–1986
Leon Burtnettcaretaker
Leon Burtnett slid Purdue from National Program I to National Program II in 5 seasons.
−9.3
21–34
1977–1981
Jim Youngcaretaker
Jim Young moved Purdue from National Program II to National Program I in 5 seasons.
National Program I
38–19
1973–1976
Alex Agasecaretaker
Alex Agase held Purdue at Power Program III for 4 seasons.
−10.6
18–25
1970–1972
Bob DeMosscaretaker
Bob DeMoss held Purdue at Power Program II for 3 seasons.
Power Program II
13–18
1956–1969
Jack Mollenkopfbuilder
Jack Mollenkopf raised Purdue from National Program I to Power Program II.
+13.8
84–39
1947–1955
Stuart Holcombcaretaker
Stuart Holcomb moved Purdue from National Program II to National Program I in 9 seasons.
National Program I
35–42
1944–1946
Cecil Isbellcaretaker
Cecil Isbell slid Purdue from National Program II to National Program I in 3 seasons.
National Program I
14–14
1942–1943
Elmer Burnhamshort tenure
10–8
1937–1941
Mal Elwardcaretaker
Mal Elward held Purdue at Power Program III for 5 seasons.
Power Program III
16–18
1936–1936
Noble Kizershort tenure
5–2