Wake Forest head football coach Dave Clawson floated for Purdue opening after Boilermakers fire Ryan Walters | Sporting News

Hours after Ryan Walters’ dismissal as Purdue’s football coach Sunday, a national search is underway to rebuild a program that failed to win a Big Ten game this season and was trounced 66-0 against Indiana on Saturday to cap off a forgettable 1- 11 season.

The Purdue athletic department released a statement immediately following Walters’ firing, described as “a difficult decision.”

“After an ongoing assessment, and in consultation with president Mung Chiang and the University’s Board of Trustees, I have made the decision that a change in the leadership of our football program is necessary,” athletic director Mike Bobinski wrote.

“As college athletics enters an entirely new era in 2025, it’s a pivotal time for Purdue, and we must take the steps necessary to best position our football program for success. We are determined to provide the University and our incredibly loyal fans with football performance that reflects the excellence of Purdue and is worthy of their continued support. 

“A national search has commenced to select new leadership for the Boilermaker football program. We will conduct a thorough search process and look forward to bringing aboard a new head coach equipped to restore Purdue football to its proud tradition of success.”

Walters finished 5-19 overall, as his lone win this season came in the season opener against Indiana State. The firing comes two years after Purdue advanced to the Big Ten title game under then-coach Jeff Brohm, where it lost to then-No. 2 Michigan, 43-22.

While many names have begun to emerge as possible replacements, one coach sticks out, according to Inside Zone’s Matt Fortuna.

“If I’m Purdue, I call Dave Clawson and don’t let him hang up. His offense would be a hit there, and he has already rebuilt programs in far worse situations,” Fortuna wrote.

Clawson just endured a 4-8 season as Wake Forest’s coach. It ended in an anti-climatic way: a last-second touchdown pass resulting in a loss to Duke.

For now, Purdue continues to search for answers.