Purdue football coach Darrell Hazell will return in 2016

Mike Carmin | Journal & Courier

WEST LAFAYETTE — Darrell Hazell was asked Monday if he’s had conversations with athletic director Morgan Burke about whether he would return to coach Purdue’s football team in 2016.

Hazell said he had not.

Since Monday, those conversations must have taken place because Burke announced Thursday that Hazell will be on the sideline next season.

“We think Darrell Hazell is the right guy to lead the program,” Burke said during an appearance on “BTN Live.” “I know social media and others have tried to determine if Darrell is going to be here in 2016. We’re not in this for the short term; we want to build a plan. This is something that the president (Mitch Daniels) and the chairman of the board (Michael Berghoff) join me in our support for Darrell. We still got work to do but we can see some things down the pipeline that will allow Purdue football to return to a very successful level.

“At the end of the day, if you’re building the right thing you’ve got to stick with the plan. If there’s any confusion about who the guy is who’s going to lead the Boilermakers onto the field in 2016, let’s dispel that.”

During Burke’s interview, Hazell was conducting his weekly radio show. Hazell said Burke “has been fantastic through this whole growing process.”

The Boilermakers are 2-7 heading into Saturday’s matchup at Northwestern, but just 6-27 since Hazell took over in 2013. Three of those wins are against FCS programs.

Hazell is aware the wins haven’t come fast enough for the fan base, but he’s sticking with his plan to build the program.

“You have a plan, you work the plan and stick to the plan and you don’t waver. Sooner or later that thing is going to flip,” he said.

Hazell declined further comment following his radio show.

Part of the support comes in the form of a $60 million renovation to the Mollenkopf Athletic Center, which is scheduled to be completed by August 2017. The 110,000-square-foot facility is expected to not only help recruiting efforts, but also enable players on the current roster to develop and improve.

Hazell will have three years remaining on his original six-year contract after this season. Hazell’s buyout on Dec. 1 is $6.7 million, one factor in Burke’s decision to retain the New Jersey native, who came to Purdue after spending two seasons at Kent State University. His buyout drops to $4.6 million on Dec. 1, 2016.

Whether Thursday’s announcement helps in recruiting is an area to watch. Hazell lost two of his 2016 commitments this week: - Hamilton Southeastern High School defensive standout Collin Miller and Tennessee receiver Nate Johnson. Purdue currently has seven known commitments in the next recruiting class.

“If you’re a recruit out there and you’re interested in Purdue, that’s a strong statement that Morgan makes that I’m the head coach for this football team,” Hazell said on his radio show. “They’re investing the next four, five years in Purdue. They want to know the right guy is in the right place.”

While Hazell remains next season, Thursday’s announcement only settled one piece of the equation. Will there be changes on the coaching staff? Will Hazell and Burke discuss a contract extension to help in recruiting? Will Burke try to lower the buyout in Hazell’s contract following the 2016 season?

“You always like to win more, and I think we’ve got a number of things underway that will serve us well in the future, but, when you’re sitting here 2-7, nobody is very pleased with the outcome,” Burke said on BTN. “You know what you’re trying to do in trying to build a plan and you have to stick to the plan.”

Purdue has struggled with consistency, playing well during stretches one week but struggling the next during Hazell’s tenure. The Boilermakers have suffered lopsided home losses during the last three seasons but snapped a nine-game losing streak at Ross-Ade Stadium with a 55-45 victory over Nebraska on Oct. 31.

But Purdue didn’t back up that victory with another one last week, losing 48-14 to Illinois, securing the program’s seventh losing season in the last eight years.

“When we hired him in 2013, we recognized this was not going to be an easy undertaking. That’s why we gave him a six-year agreement,” Burke said. “From a win-loss perspective, nobody is happy right now; we’re disappointed but despite the losses and the inconsistent play progress is being made.”

Follow Journal & Courier reporter Mike Carmin on Twitter: @carminjc.