Purdue Football Legend Pitched Jaguars Coach for Head Job in 2022

Jim Everett wanted Liam Coen to be Purdue's head coach after Jeff Brohm's departure, but the school went in a different direction.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:29pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented football field or coaching scene, with sharp planes of navy blue, forest green, and crimson red conveying the challenges Purdue has faced in finding stability on the sidelines.Purdue's search for the right head coach has been a fractured process, with missed opportunities and uneven results.Louisville Today

After Jeff Brohm left Purdue to become the head coach at Louisville following the 2022 season, Purdue legend Jim Everett tried to pitch current Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen as a candidate to lead the Boilermakers. However, Purdue ultimately hired Ryan Walters, who struggled in his two seasons as head coach before being fired. Everett believes Coen would have been a better fit for the program.

Why it matters

Everett's attempt to get Coen an interview at Purdue highlights the challenges of hiring the right head coach, especially at a program like Purdue that has high expectations. The Boilermakers have struggled since Brohm's departure, going through two unsuccessful head coaches, and Everett believes they missed an opportunity by not at least interviewing Coen.

The details

Everett, who played quarterback for the Rams in the NFL, knew Coen through their shared connection to the organization. Coen had worked for the Rams from 2018-2020 and again in 2022. Everett thought Coen's offensive mind would be a good fit for Purdue, but the school ultimately hired Walters, who had been the defensive coordinator at Illinois.

  • In 2022, Jeff Brohm left Purdue to become the head coach at Louisville.
  • In December 2022, Purdue hired Ryan Walters as its new head coach.
  • Walters struggled in his two seasons as Purdue's head coach, going just 5-19 overall.
  • Purdue fired Walters a day after the 2024 season ended.
  • In 2025, Purdue hired Barry Odom away from UNLV to be its new head coach.

The players

Jim Everett

A Purdue football legend who played quarterback in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams from 1986 to 1993.

Liam Coen

The current head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, who previously worked for the Los Angeles Rams organization from 2018 to 2020 and again in 2022.

Jeff Brohm

The former head coach of the Purdue football team, who left the program in 2022 to become the head coach at Louisville, his alma mater.

Mike Bobinski

The athletic director at Purdue who was responsible for hiring the new head coach after Brohm's departure.

Ryan Walters

The head coach Purdue hired in 2022 to replace Jeff Brohm, who struggled in his two seasons leading the program.

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What they’re saying

“On his trip, I said, 'Hold on, Liam, would you be interested in the head coaching job at Purdue?' Because they were just getting rid of (Jeff Brohm). He said, 'Absolutely, set me up.' I did my best, but it wasn't good enough.”

— Jim Everett, Purdue Football Legend

“They already were making another hire, and it was another one of their mistakes. When you know the person and it's so obvious, it's like, 'Wait a minute.' He wanted the Purdue job. They wouldn't interview him.”

— Jim Everett, Purdue Football Legend

What’s next

Purdue will look to build on the optimism surrounding its 2026 season, with a strong transfer portal class joining the program as it tries to get back on track under new head coach Barry Odom.

The takeaway

Everett's failed attempt to get Liam Coen an interview for the Purdue head coaching job in 2022 highlights the challenges the program has faced in finding the right leader since Jeff Brohm's departure. The Boilermakers' struggles under Ryan Walters and now Barry Odom suggest they may have missed an opportunity by not at least considering Coen, who Everett believed would have been a strong fit.