They say when you leave a place, it’s not what you take with you, but rather what you leave behind. Hopefully, we left some great memories. I know we’ve left some great young men – Joe Tiller’s speech at Ross-Ade Stadium following his final game in 2008.

From Tiller’s first win against Notre Dame in his second game in 1997 to the last one against Indiana, he presided over the most successful era in Purdue football history. The victories between No. 1 and No. 87 were also special.

The program’s all-time winningest coach passed away Saturday in Buffalo, Wyoming. He was 74.

From 1997 through 2008, Tiller revitalized a doormat program and made it nationally known and respected.

Beating the Fighting Irish and the Hoosiers to bookend his career was the perfect start and finish for any Purdue football coach. Tiller was the man who orchestrated it.

"Those are our two measuring sticks,” Tiller said following his final game in 2008, a 62-10 thrashing of Indiana at Ross-Ade Stadium. “When we step onto the field, we can't lose to those rascals. If you do, you have to live with it for a year.

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"Fortunately, in our period of time here, we've been on the good end of the stick. This is what Purdue football is all about."

Tiller was, and to some degree, still is Purdue football.

The run is the only successful period most fans remember about the program. Maybe Jeff Brohm will change that and he’s on his way to moving Purdue forward.

Before Tiller’s arrival in 1997, Purdue had one winning season and no bowl games since 1984. The one winning season was due to a forfeit.

The unprecedented run of 10 bowl games in 12 seasons, including eight straight, may not ever be matched. The Rose Bowl was the crowning achievement following the 2000 season. There were appearances on New Year’s Day in Florida. Tiller helped fans plan their holiday vacations with multiple trips to El Paso and San Antonio.

Quarterback Drew Brees was there from the beginning, playing for Tiller from 1997 to 2000.

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"Today is a very sad day for me and the entire Purdue family," Brees told purduesports.com. "Coach Tiller was an important person in my life and to so many other guys who played for him. He did so much more than teach us how to win. He taught us life lessons and how to be great leaders and men. My thoughts and prayers are with Arnette, Julie, Renee and Mike."

Tiller had Purdue ranked as high as No. 5 in the country in 2004 with ESPN’s Game Day on campus. Who could’ve predicted this?

Consider this. When Tiller retired, Purdue’s 87-62 overall record and 53-37 mark in the Big Ten was the fifth-best in the conference during the 12-year span. Only Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin and Penn State posted better results.

That was the golden era of Purdue football.

"Joe Tiller was one of the great coaches in all of Purdue history," Purdue president Mitch Daniels said in a statement. "The next time we go to the Rose Bowl, our first thoughts will be of him, and we will miss him every day in between. Our hearts go out to Arnette and the entire Tiller family."

Tiller was the right guy at the right time to help a struggling program find its identity.

Coming from Wyoming, where Tiller emphasized the passing game, he rejuvenated the Boilermakers with his innovative “basketball on grass” offense forcing Big Ten defensive coordinators to scramble for solutions.

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A lot of what you see today in college football is directly related to Tiller and his spread offense approach.

His emphasis on the quarterback meshed with the school’s tradition, one he was familiar with from his stint as an assistant coach for four seasons under Leon Burtnett. When the Boilermakers have enjoyed solid play from the quarterback position, they’ve won.

He’s remembered for recruiting Drew Brees but also for making quarterback Billy Dicken an All-Big Ten selection during his first season. He’s remembered for his fun-loving approach and personality, but also for his toughness in dealing with players.

"He turned the program around,” offensive lineman Matt Light said in 2008. Light was a member of Tiller’s first team and later played for the New England Patriots.

“He brought a lot of great players into the fold. He is a man who demanded a lot from his players. He set these guys up for life after football.”

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Tiller and his wife, Arnette – who introduced the phrase ‘Boiler Up!’ to add more excitement to Ross-Ade Stadium - traveled back to West Lafayette after retirement during the football season to watch at least two games. He remained a beloved figure walking around Ross-Ade Stadium or visiting with athletic department personnel in the press box.

When Tiller and former men’s basketball coach Gene Keady were seen talking to each other, you stopped and admired the wins, the accomplishments and the men.

After that final game in 2008, Tiller invited anyone who was listening to stop by the family’s new home in Buffalo, Wyoming.

“We’re listed in the phone book. The gate is always open. The coffee pot is always on,” he told the sellout crowd.

And then in his final press conference, Tiller exited with a tremendous amount of satisfaction knowing he was leaving the program in a better place compared to when he arrived.

“I feel like I can ride off into the sunset and the job is done,” Tiller said.

Indeed, a job – and a life – well done.

Carmin covers Purdue football and women's basketball for the Journal & Courier.

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