Ex-Purdue football defensive coordinator lands same role at old home

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Mike Scherer is looking for a fresh start at a familiar location.

After one season as Purdue football‘s defensive coordinator, Mike Scherer is returning to UNLV, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported.

Scherer followed head coach Barry Odom from UNLV, signing a three-year contract last December. He was paid a base salary of $1 million for the 2025 season.

In addition to calling the defense, Scherer coached linebackers in his one season at Purdue. He left the program last month. He’s previously spent two seasons as Odom’s defensive coordinator and linebacker coach at UNLV from 2023-24 and had previously played linebacker under Odom at Missouri. Scherer also previously worked under Odom when Odom was Arkansas defensive coordinator.

After serving as Purdue’s defensive coordinator from 2023-24, Kevin Kane was hired back by the Boilermakers as Scherer’s successor after one season on Minnesota’s staff.

Last season, the Boilermakers went 2-10, and Purdue’s defense ranked 17th out of 18 Big Ten teams in yards allowed per game (423.5), yards allowed per play (6.6) and points allowed (31.8).

Sam King covers sports for the Journal & Courier. Email him at sking@jconline.com and follow him on X and Instagram @samueltking.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Purdue football’s defensive coordinator in 2025 lands new role

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