Sports

Darrell Hazell is Purdue’s new head football coach.

Athletics Director Morgan Burke announced the hiring in a news release Wednesday morning and Hazell will be formally introduced at a news conference on campus Wednesday night.

Hazell comes from Kent State, where he’s led the program for two years and has a record of 16-9. Terms of the agreement have not been announced.

Hazell replaces Danny Hope, who was fired November 25th after four years as head coach.

The Purdue football team is heading to Texas for its final game of the season.

The Boilermakers will play Oklahoma State in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, January 1st.

Quarterback Robert Marve says the game is an opportunity for he and his fellow seniors to go out on a high note.

Purdue went six minutes in the second half against Xavier without scoring a point. That stretch allowed the Musketeers to turn a two point deficit into a six point lead and they were able to hold on for a 63-57 win in Mackey Arena.

"I think we had consistency as far as playing hard, in the first half.  We out rebounded them and things like that.  The ball just wasn't going in. It just came down to taking bad shots at bad times and that gave them points," said Terone Johnson.  "Not being disciplined is why we lost today."

The Purdue football program is moving in a new direction.

WBAA’s Sam Klemet reports on the firing of the Boilermakers’ head coach.

Following Purdue’s win Saturday over rival Indiana, Danny Hope said he had no regrets about his time coaching the Boilermakers except...

"the fact that we didn't win more games," he said.  "I don't know what I would have done any different.  In the end we found a way and that's what matters."

As the sun began to set on Ross-Ade Stadium, Saturday afternoon, Purdue head coach Danny Hope was perched atop some of his players’ shoulders while the rest of the Boilermakers were hoisting the Old Oaken Bucket for the second straight year.

“It was really a special moment.  I never had that happen before,” said Hope. 

Running back Akeem Shavers added, “It was one of those moments you see in a movie.”

Purdue’s 56-35 win over rival Indiana was a Hollywood ending, but whether or not a sequel is in the works remains a mystery.