Purdue athletic director search reportedly targets Rice AD
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Monday night Purdue has targeted McClelland to succeed Mike Bobinski.
- Purdue introduced Tommy McClelland as its new athletic director on Thursday, Aug. 6.
- McClelland stated his goal is to win championships, taking a jab at rival Indiana University.
- His comments come despite Indiana’s recent undefeated national championship in football.
Purdue’s new athletic director is using a rival’s approach to making a first impression — while taking aim at the rival.
Tommy McClelland was introduced as Purdue’s AD on Thursday, Aug. 6. He wasted little time jabbing Indiana.
“We are here to win championships,” he said. “If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana.”
That may seem odd, considering IU is coming off one college football’s craziest stories ever, winning an undefeated national championship just last season under second-year coach Curt Cignetti. When he was hired, Cignetti famously introduced himself at an IU basketball game with a proclamation that “Purdue sucks.”
But McClelland can’t be faulted for shooting low.
“It’s time to raise the bar on what is possible,” he said.
Purdue men’s basketball was national runner-up in 2024, and volleyball reached the Elite Eight in 2025, but the Boilermakers’ football team has seven total wins over the last three seasons.
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