Barry Odom on new defensive coordinator, coaches for Purdue football
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WEST LAFAYETTE ― Purdue football made its coaching staff moves official on Friday. Dec. 19.
Gone is Vance Vice, Lamar Conard and Mike Scherer.
Added to the staff is Zach Crabtree, who replaces Vice as offensive line coach, and Kevin Kane, who returns as defensive coordinator to replace Scherer.
Former Purdue receiver Bilal Marshall was promoted from within to coach the receiving corps. Cornell Ford will shift from coaching receivers to running backs and defensive backs coach Charles Clark is adding defensive passing game coordinator to his title.
Here’s what Boilermaker head coach Barry Odom said about the two additions and the promotion of Marshall, per a release from Purdue athletics.
What Purdue football coach Barry Odom said about Kevin Kane
Kane, a former linebacker at Kansas, was not retained by Odom when he was hired last December. Kane was the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2023 and ’24, seasons where Purdue allowed 30.4 and 39.9 points per game respectively. Kane spent the 2025 season at Minnesota coaching linebackers and nickel backs. Kane also previously has been defensive coordinator at SMU and Northern Illinois.
What Odom said: “I’ve known coach Kane as a player, coach and have always respected the way he performed. Over the years, we have shared ideas and philosophies, and I know what he can accomplish. In speaking with him about this opportunity, I could feel a great sense of hunger and excitement about leading the Purdue defense.”
What Barry Odom said about offensive line coach Zach Crabtree
Crabtree worked previously with Purdue offensive coordinator Josh Henson when the two were employed at USC. Crabtree also played for Henson at Oklahoma State when Henson coached the offensive line for the Cowboys. Crabtree spent last season at Fresno State after two years with USC.
What Odom said: “I have watched his groups play at a high level over the past couple of years, and he will bring great value to our offensive line play as well as the overall program.”
What Barry Odom said about receivers coach Bilal Marshall
After coaching receivers at West Virginia in 2023 and ’24, Marshall returned to his alma mater last season as an offensive analyst who also assisted in coaching the Boilermaker receivers.
What Odom said: “Coach Marshall has been an immediate impact for our players and organization. He obviously has connections at Purdue that run deep with him being a former player, adding a great knowledge of the wide receiver position as well as offensive football. I am excited for his influence to grow in our program.”
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: What Purdue football coach Barry Odom said about staff changes
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