Purdue Bids Against Itself -- Contract for Matt Painter Extended

It's beginning to feel like Morgan Burke is your old grandpa who gives away his things as he gets older. Hey, want to go for ice cream? Let's go! (Don't tell your mom!) Oh, you want my gold cufflinks? Sure, here you go. 

The latest example is his extension of Matt Painter's contract by an additional three years through 2022. The details of the extension won't be finalized until late August when the Board of Trustees meets next to finalize it. 

Painter currently makes almost $2.5M annually. He's 45 years old, is a Purdue alum and his only other head coaching experience was a season at SIU. Coach Painter is 263-139 (.654) in his time in West Lafayette. He has led the Boilermakers into the NCAA tourney eight times and they've got an 8-8 record in those eight appearances, with two trips to the Sweet 16. The most recent Sweet 16 appearance was in 2010, which means it'll be at least a seven year gap even if the Boilers make it there next season. Their last NCAA Tournament victory was in Rob Hummel's last game, back in 2012. 

As we've discussed on this site and on our podcasts before, this is not intended to be a bashing of Matt Painter or a call for his ouster. But who exactly is Purdue bidding against for his services? 

The theory popping up most on the boards and twitter is that this is simply the "cost of doing business" when you're recruiting. The 2017 class is considered loaded and Painter is working it hard -- he'll want to be able to show the kids that he will be there for the duration of their time in WL, goes the theory. I guess there is some merit to that, but it's not as though Purdue has ever shown a penchant for a quick trigger on basketball or football coaches, particularly when there is a buyout involved. 

Or is this some kind of a "reward" for bringing the Boilermakers back to....wherever they are now? I mean, I loved Ray Davis and AJ Hammons, too, and the past two seasons were immensely more fun that the two that preceded them, but where exactly is this program right now? It's in a spot where even with NBA-level talent on its roster, they can't win the conference title, the conference tournament title or an NCAA Tournament game. Those are the facts, my friends. You can debate them if you want, but that's what we know right now. That is where Matt Painter has them positioned. 

My takeaway from this is that Purdue must know who the next is going to be already. Why else would Morgan Burke still be offering contract extensions when he's roughly a year from heading out the door? I guess one could argue he's still on the clock, but if that is the reason he's still making these decisions as a lame duck, well, it's just one more example of just how far astray this athletic department has wandered. 

So for those of you who felt Matt Painter was doing a fantastic job and was above reproach -- looks like your loyalty has been rewarded.