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College Football Recruiting, Opinion, and Analysis

Tyson Helton, Jason Candle, and More Possible Head Coach Candidates for Purdue

Football coach options for Purdue to succeed Ryan Walters include Tyson Helton and Jason Candle

Avatar photoMike Huesmann
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By Mike Huesmann

I rarely have very strong feelings that I share about a coaching profile in these situations, good coaches can come from all types of backgrounds and trajectories. But in this case, I feel that Purdue must hire someone who has FBS head coaching experience and success.

In their recent years Jeff Brohm was a success and had been one at Western Kentucky before, but the other two coaches, Darrell Hazell and Ryan Walters were absolute disasters who left the program in tatters when they left. Hazell had been head coach at Kent State for two years, although that didn’t translate over. Purdue can’t risk hiring someone like that who hasn’t been there before. With that in mind, I have five coaches who could be in the mix for the Boilermakers.

Tyson Helton

Western Kentucky, Head Coach

Helton has quietly built one of the most consistent and visually pleasing teams in America. The Hilltoppers have won eight or more games in five of his six seasons and went to a bowl game each time. Their spread, pass happy style makes them a fan favorite to watch, in addition to being attractive for transfers via the portal. In the Conference USA title this coming weekend, they look like a team with staying power in the G5. His success, style, and stability could resonate with those in West Lafayette.

Tim Albin

Ohio, Head Coach

Albin is new to my coaching candidate lists; I have never mentioned him on one, but he could be in the mix here. The former Frank Solich disciple has been in Ohio since 2005, with plenty of time to build connections in the area. He has a chance to make this his third consecutive 10-win season and win his first MAC championship, that’s impressive no matter where it happens. He fits the winning veteran profile I think Purdue needs to target in this search.

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Charles Huff

Marshall, Head Coach

Huff came to Marshall from being Saban’s RB coach at Alabama and was solid in his first and second years, regressed in year three, and now has won the Sun Belt East in year four. He has been to a bowl game every season, coached elite players across multiple schools, plus he’s out of a contract after this year. UCF will likely not be his only suitor this offseason but a benefit of having an early opening can be identifying your target and making them an offer. This feels like a logical next step up for Huff, who has earned it.

Ryan Silverfield

Memphis, Head Coach

I’ll own having been a naysayer of Silverfield at times, he took over a good situation from Mike Norvell and Memphis should be one of the best G5 teams every year. That being said, he is doing a heck of a job and has probably earned the chance to coach a P4 team. He is 41-20 in five full seasons in charge, went to a bowl game in every season, and sit at 10-2 this year. His teams have both ran and thrown the ball effectively.

If I’m Silverfield, though, this may not be the P4 job I leave for. There is a lot of work to do to clean this mess up and he has built a consistent winner in the Tigers. That’s a lot to leave for a question mark.

Jason Candle

Toledo, Head Coach

Candle continues to do good things at Toledo, despite 2024 being a relative down year for the Rockets. He brings significant head coaching success, Midwest ties, and more experience than most at this level who’ll be considered for the job. The pull of the Big Ten and the economic resources Purdue can offer, relative to Toledo, will be appealing to him. If previous head coaching experience and ties to the Midwest end up being the driving factors, he’s a guy to watch.

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