First of all, I must give credit to @BoilerMelissa on Twitter for drawing my attention to this. As I mentioned earlier today, Micah Shrewsberry has left the program to become an assistant under Brad Stevens for the Boston Celtics. There are now rumors that his position on the men's basketball staff has been filled, and by one of the all-time most beloved players in program history.

Yes, Brian Cardinal could possibly be coming back to Purdue as an assistant coach. How do we know? First, there is his official Twitter:

Well then... That was an interesting phone call! — Brian Cardinal (@BrianCardinal) July 11, 2013

Then Tony Barone, an assistant with the Memphis Grizzlies when Cardinal played there had this to say:

Happy as hell for my boy cardinal — tony barone (@tonybarone4) July 12, 2013

I will officially be a boiler fan now! — tony barone (@tonybarone4) July 12, 2013

What does this mean now? Barone is currently the Director of Player Personnel after serving as interim coach in 2006-07 (while Cardinal was playing in Memphis). He would have a close relationship with Brian and possibly know something we don't. He was also with Brian at Wrigley Field tonight if you look at both Brian and Tony's Twitter feeds.

A lot of signs point to the Custodian becoming an assistant under coach Painter. This is great for multiple reasons:

He is a Purdue LEGEND that will sell the program.

He can promote heart and hustle, which is the hallmark of Purdue basketball.

He can point out that his heart and hustle lead to an lengthy NBA career where he earned almost $40 million and an NBA Championship ring.

He earned almost $40 million in the NBA, so we don't need to break the bank for him and the expanded resources for assistant can be used if someone else leaves.

He is GUARANTEED A STANDING OVATION AT THE HOME OPENER because of what he has done for the program.

Brian is also a reader of the blog here, as he even called me personally last year to discuss something on the site. I even got in a pickup game once with him at the Co-Rec when I was a freshman, so if he is officially coming home (and he has been working with the athletic department unofficially for awhile) Let's welcome him home.