Purdue fires head coach Ryan Walters after 2 seasons

Purdue fired head football coach Ryan Walters on Sunday after two seasons. The move came on the heels of the Boilermakers enduring their worst loss in the program's history, a 66-0 shellacking by No. 10 Indiana on Saturday. The setback was Purdue's 11th in a row since it opened the season with a 49-0 victory over Indiana State on Aug. 31. It was all downhill from there for the Boilermakers, who were 1-11 this season and 5-19 during Walters' two years at the school. "After an ongoing assessment, and in consultation with President Mung Chiang and the University's Board of Trustees, I have made the decision that a change in the leadership of our football program is necessary," Purdue executive vice president Mike Bobinski said. "As college athletics enters an entirely new era in 2025, it's a pivotal time for Purdue, and we must take the steps necessary to best position our football program for success. ... This was a truly difficult decision, as head coach Ryan Walters continued to lead the Boilermakers with integrity, resilience and poise in the face of considerable challenges." Purdue was shut out three times in the past six games, outscored 146-0. Walters was hired to replace Jeff Brohm prior to the 2023 season when Brohm departed for Louisville. Per Bobinski, a national search has commenced to find a new head coach. --Field Level Media