Purdue defensive coordinator Mike Scherer no longer with program. What we know
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WEST LAFAYETTE — Purdue football’s offseason of coaching changes will include hiring a new defensive coordinator.
Mike Scherer is no longer with the program to pursue other coaching opportunities, IndyStar confirmed. Scherer coached the Boilermaker linebackers in addition to his coordinator duties.
Scherer had been coach Barry Odom’s defensive coordinator at UNLV for two seasons after playing for him at Missouri. He also coached with Odom at Arkansas, and served as the interim defensive coordinator when Odom took the UNLV job.
Scherer would be the third coaching change since the end of the season. Odom fired running backs coach Lamar Conard and offensive line coach Vance Vice.
Scherer's departure is the most surprising due to his longtime connection to Odom. He first met his future head coach in eighth grade before playing for him with the Tigers. When Odom became the Arkansas defensive coordinator, Scherer joined as an analyst for one season before taking over as linebackers coach.
Vice and Scherer were both part of Odom's highly successful two-season run at UNLV. On defense, the Rebels won in spite of ranking 115th nationally in yards allowed per play in 2023. They improved to 28th nationally in 2024.
Scherer came along when Odom took on the challenge of rebuilding from a 1-11 season and the firing of Ryan Walters. While the Boilermaker defense improved year-over-year, it still ranked among the worst in the Big Ten in most relevant categories.
Purdue ranked 17th among Big Ten defenses in yards allowed per play, 17th in opposing quarterback rating, 18th in yards allowed per pass attempt and 15th in yards allowed per rush attempt.
This article will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue defensive coordinator Mike Scherer no longer with program per reports
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