Purdue Dismisses Head Coach Ryan Walters After 66-0 Loss to Indiana Hoosiers
WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — Purdue University announced on Sunday that it has dismissed head football coach Ryan Walters, following a stunning 66-0 defeat to in-state rival Indiana Hoosiers in the annual “Old Oaken Bucket” game.
The crushing loss, which marked Purdue’s worst-ever margin of defeat in the storied rivalry, dropped the Boilermakers to a disappointing 3-9 record on the season. The loss to Indiana, a team that had struggled throughout the year, left many fans and alumni questioning the direction of the program under Walters’ leadership.
“I want to thank Ryan Walters for his efforts during his time here at Purdue. However, after careful consideration, we believe the best course of action for our football program is to make a change at the head coaching position,” Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski said in a statement. “We have high expectations for Purdue football, and we believe the team deserves leadership that can restore the program to the competitive level our fans deserve.”
Walters, who was hired as Purdue’s head coach in December 2022, had a rocky tenure. He inherited a program coming off a solid 2022 campaign but struggled to maintain momentum. The Boilermakers’ defense, which Walters was known for, faltered throughout the season, while the offense also struggled to find consistency. Despite showing potential in early-season games, Purdue ultimately failed to secure any significant wins in Big Ten play, finishing near the bottom of the conference standings.
The decision to part ways with Walters comes just days after Purdue was eliminated from bowl contention. Speculation had been mounting about Walters’ job security following several disappointing losses throughout the season, but the 66-0 blowout to Indiana proved to be the tipping point.
Purdue has announced that defensive coordinator Ryan Smith will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season while a search for a permanent replacement is underway.
