Missouri After Painter; Purdue Fans Wait

After a week of speculation, the radio and Internet rumors have finally produced some substance.  Brian Neubert over at Gold and Black has independently confirmed that Coach Matt Painter is the top target for the Missouri Tigers and he has been contacted by the Missouri athletic department.  Ordinarly, I would dismiss this as a long shot, for it seems to be just a lateral move for Painter, especially with the Mackey renovations near completion and the fantastic recruiting classes he has lined up in the future.  However, I am a bit wary hearing this news finally confirmed.

Purdue is known as being a tightwad university, to put it bluntly. This is reason number one why I’m apprehensive about Painter leaving. If Mizzou throws the big bucks at him, it will force Morgan Burke’s hand.  Burke’s hand does not like being forced into paying coaches top dollar, considering his last two hires have been former assistants who he could hire for cheap.  If Burke does not feel Painter is worth the money, he simply will not pay him and Painter will be coaching a new team in black and gold.

The second part part about this that makes me apprehensive concerns the future.  Coach Painter has lined up some terrific recruiting classes for 2012 and 2013, and I would hate to see them vanish along with Painter.  Purdue has set themselves up quite well for another run in the future, but if Painter leaves, that run becomes cloudy.  Painter is a Purdue guy through and through, but dollars tend to speak for themselves.  If Painter believes that taking the money from Mizzou is the best option for his future, he will more than likely do that.

Since all of this Painter talk is speculation, I’m going to speculate about replacements in case he leaves.  There is one currently on the staff and there is one who is currently coaching in Missouri.  The first choice for many fans would be Cuonzo Martin, who is currently coaching Missouri State, and was an assistant on Painter’s staff.  Coach Zo, as he is affectionately known by, is also a former Purdue player.  Alumni and fans would love this hire, as Zo was the de facto defensive coach on Painter’s staff.

The second choice, at least for me, currently is on staff at Purdue.  Paul Lusk, a young assistant who came with Painter from Southern Illinois, would be another logical fit for Purdue.  Lusk had his part in recruiting and probably would be able to convince most of the recruits to stay.  However, if Painter leaves, I’m sure most of the fan base would be clamoring for a “big-name” hire.

Right now, the only thing we as Purdue fans can do is sit and wait.  This will probably a long and arduous process.  My simple solution is this:  Morgan Burke, just pay the man.  Purdue has burst back into national prominence and there’s no need to let the coach go.  You might not pay for lights at the Ross-Ade, but please pay to keep the coach at Mackey.