#B1GCoachRank: No. 12 Jeff Brohm
Ranking coaches in the B1G can be a pretty easy task. It’s easy to place a number beside a guy, failing to give any reasoning behind his placement on a “power rankings,” list.
At Saturday Tradition, though, we don’t want to just give you the rankings. We want to provide you with a detailed description of each head coach and why he’s ranked in his selected spot.
This was a practice that was kicked up from the ground last year and, since there’s still several months until football season gets underway, it’s worth revisiting. So, let’s continue our 2017 #B1GCoachRank:
Coach: No. 12 Jeff Brohm (Purdue)
Record: 30-10 (Western Kentucky), 0-0 (Purdue)
Record vs. top 25: 1-2 (Western Kentucky), 0-0 (Purdue)
Where team was when he was hired: The last four years have been excruciating in West Lafayette. Purdue won just nine games and only three B1G contests under Darrell Hazell, finishing last in the West every year. It’s been on of the worst stretches in program history.
Brohm takes over a program that needs a lot of work in nearly every aspect. The defense was bad, the offense was inconsistent and fan support is virtually non-existent. The one positive? It can only get better.
It’s not going to take much for Brohm to draw some interest back in the program. The Boilermakers haven’t looked competitive in a long time. Competing in games and flirting with bowl eligibility would be a major step in the right direction.
Biggest win: N/A
Most embarrassing loss: N/A
Best recruiting class: 2017
Since Brohm got such a late start on his first recruiting class at Purdue, he had to rely heavily on junior college transfers. Signees like DB T.J. Jallow, WR Isaac Zico and OT Ethan Smart are nice additions and will be expected to make an immediate impact.
But those are just a few gems in a really rough inaugural class. The Boilermakers brought in the B1G’s worst recruiting class and ranked 71st overall, according to 247 Sports.
Purdue was a hard sell after the past four years. And with such a late coaching change, it was impressive that Brohm was able to land even a few nice prospects.
What could get him fired: Unless there’s some sort of catastrophic scandal, Brohm’s job is secure.
Why he’s at No. 12: In three years at Western Kentucky, Brohm racked up 30 wins, two Conference USA titles and reached a bowl game every season. His unique, pass-heavy mindset appears to be the perfect fit at Purdue, where quarterbacks and an effective air strike are cherished.
But the Boilermakers’ last hire – Hazell – was also fairly successful in a non-power conference. While this looks like the perfect hire on paper, Brohm will certainly have to prove himself on the field.
The No. 12 ranking may not be a complete representation of Brohm’s ability, but more so of what he inherits. There isn’t much talent on the roster and there aren’t many great pieces coming in from the 2017 recruiting class. It might take some time for him to build Purdue back into a competitive program.
Brohm has been successful in his three years as a head coach and his offense should be fun to watch in the B1G. But without any major wins on his resume, this is where he lands entering his first year with the Boilermakers.
#B1GCoachRank
No. 12 Jeff Brohm (Purdue)
No. 11 TBA
