Jeff Brohm will be back in the office soon. And the family dog probably will be happy about that.

The Boilermaker coach had to take in last Saturday’s 24-20 Purdue win vs. Iowa from his house. He sent his family to the game, while he set up multiple TVs in his house to watch.

“It was just me here,” said Brohm via Zoom on Monday. “And I don’t blame them one bit.”

And while watching, the emotional and passionate Brohm raised his voice at times, startling the family dog: Coco, who Brohm said is three-fourths poodle/one-fourth St. Bernard.

“I felt bad that I scared the dog a few times,” fessed Brohm. “I think for the most part, I was somewhat calm and collected.”

Now, he’s ready to get back to the office. Brohm says he should return to his desk this week.

“I'm looking to get back on Wednesday,” he said. “Wednesday will be my first day back and seems like it's been a couple months. So, to get back is .. it’s about time. I'm looking forward to that.”

The time away wasn’t pleasant for the fourth-year Boilermaker boss, who turned over the reins to younger brother Brian Brohm--the co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach--to serve as acting head coach and play-caller on Saturday.

“Well, it wasn't a whole lot of fun,” said Brohm of not being part of the action. “The end result definitely was great. My wife and kids and daughter made sure to get out of the house and go to game, so it's just me here, and I don't blame them one bit. So, it was unique. I haven't really experienced that before nor probably don't look forward to ever doing it again because it just doesn't feel like you're a part of it a whole lot and there's not a whole lot you can do."

Brohm has been in isolation--10 days, per CDC and Big Ten guidelines--for over a week following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. He worked remotely from his house as Purdue prepared to play Iowa last week.

“I definitely want to congratulate our coaching staff and players on the game this past Saturday,” said Brohm. “I thought they did a great job. … “

Now, it’s on to Illinois, a team that got whipped 45-7 in its season-opener at Wisconsin on Saturday.

“Illinois is a team that put it to us last year, pure and simple,” said Brohm. “They beat us. And they beat us bad. They embarrassed us on our home field. They were more physical than us. They played harder than us and they out coached us. This is a team that had a very good year last year, they're talented, they’re big and strong, they play downhill, and they'll be ready to play. So, it’ll be a tough contest and this will be a good test for our guys to prepare this week as hard as we can and get ready to play a tough Illinois opponent.”

While Brohm will be on the sideline in Champaign for the 12 p.m. ET kickoff, it’s unknown if Rondale Moore will be in action. He was ruled out of the Iowa game last Friday for “undisclosed” reasons. The sophomore was on the sideline for the game.

“We're always hopeful,” said Brohm, “and we'll see what happens during the week.”

Brohm didn’t elaborate as to why Moore missed the Iowa game. But he said it wasn’t his decision not to play No. 4.

“No, he was just out,” said Brohm, “and we'll -- whenever he's ready to play, he will play. That’s all I can tell you. I apologize.”

Moore has yet to play since Sept. 28, 2019, when he injured his left hamstring vs. Minnesota, missing the last eight games. He opted out Aug. 6—and then opted back Sept. 24.

Jeff Brohm wasn't the lone staffer out on Saturday due to COVID-19: First-year special teams coach Marty Biagi also was sidelined. And, like Brohm, Biagi should be back this week.

"Well, Marty is going to come back the same day as me," said Brohm. "Unfortunately, we missed having him. But with this situation with everything going around, we've got to abide by the rules. But we're looking forward to getting him back. I think (co-offensive coordinator/receivers coach) JaMarcus Shephard and Ryan Wallace and Jesse Schmitt, another GA who stepped in, they did a very good job for running (special teams) while Marty was gone."

Purdue played Saturday without projected starting running back King Doerue, who led the team in rushing in 2019. But the sophomore remains iffy.

"Well, that one we'll have to wait until the end of the week," said Brohm. "We were hopeful he could play last week. He had a little flare-up in practice, so we've got to get him back because he could be a good player for us, so we need him in the mix."

Doerue said on a Snapchat story last week that he had a hamstring injury. With Doerue out, junior Zander Horvath took over and excelled, rushing 21 times for 121 yards vs. Iowa.

The Boilermakers also played without safety/linebacker Tyler Coyle, a grad transfer from UConn. Will he make his Purdue debut on Saturday?

"Tyler is going to be a little more long-term," said Brohm. "But he'll be back this year. But I would not say this week."

Coyle posted a photo on Instagram last week of himself holding a new-born baby with the hashtag "girldad."

In the second half, starting left guard Cam Craig was helped off the field with what looked like an ankle injury. Could the redshirt freshman be back Saturday?

"I don't know for sure yet," said Brohm. "I would say it's doubtful for this week, but we'll continue to see how he progresses throughout the week."

Redshirt freshman Spencer Holstege took Craig's spot.

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