Gold and Black is a multi-platform media company that covers Purdue athletics like no one else.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/744300
96 GOLD AND BLACK ILLUSTRATED apart. He's going to have to establish an identity. It matters competitively. Scheme was the great equalizer last time Purdue was successful in football, with Joe Tiller's pass-addicted offense complemented by an exciting, big-play defense. The former built upon Purdue's treasured Cradle of Quarterbacks and the latter birthed its legacy of great defensive ends, sources of pride still for a program that's drifting further and further from both. Purdue basketball has always had its play-hard brand, even though some of its teams have played harder than others over the years. No matter. That's still what resonates with people when they hear of Purdue basketball. This isn't about brands, though. It's about people. People are going to be drawn to a product they feel con- nected to. When they know what they can expect from you, when they know what they can identify with, when there's that one thing fans can be excited about and proud of, they're more likely to be compelled. When fans and donors are compelled, they're more likely to buy tickets, wear their gear and open their checkbooks and less likely to become Angry Twitter Guy. Purdue needs hearts and minds right now, but more so than those of its fans, it needs those of teenage men who run very fast and tackle really well. Purdue needs a recruiter with this next hire, someone who can attract a significantly higher caliber of player to Ross-Ade Stadium than is currently occupying it. But this next coach must improve recruiting. Better said, he'll have to animate recruiting. It's non-negotiable. An absolute must. It's going to be a pretty big vision he's going to be selling, circumstances being what they are, and he's going to need belief. He's going to need to be two feet in with recruiting. Connection is import- ant, on a personal level, but larger ones, too. Purdue needs to reconnect to the Midwest in recruiting circles and otherwise stake an effective claim elsewhere. The hope was that the Boilermaker program could leverage its vast Ohio connections and rebuild bridges set aflame by the last staff in Indiana and build a program on traditional Mid- west values and talent. It didn't even come close to happening, for whatever rea- son. Doesn't matter now, anyway. The next coach will have to be that bridge-builder. Purdue needs the Midwest. Purdue is the Midwest. But right now, what Purdue needs to be is just something. It just needs an identity. j