Players excited for 'new era' of Purdue football

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David Blough got all the texts.

From a friend who swore Purdue was interviewing its next potential head football coach at the airport.

From a teammate who was convinced it was going to be a certain guy.

From an alert off Twitter, claiming “sources” confirmed it’d be another guy.

But, finally, Monday, Purdue’s starting quarterback learned the truth: Jeff Brohm was going to be the Boilermakers’ next head coach. And though there still is other uncertainty — What will the offense look like? How thick will the playbook be? Who’ll be his position coach? Who’ll call the plays? — Blough learned one thing. And that one thing “brings a peace,” the QB said.

“At first, I felt like I got caught up in it, in following it,” Blough said after listening to Brohm’s introductory press conference at Ross-Ade Stadium. “There were some people who cared on our team and some players who didn’t care at all. They were just ready (to hear). You can get consumed with it. I certainly followed it.

“But when we got more the facts set in stone over the past weekend or so, started doing a little research on him and his family and the success they’ve had. That was about as much as I’ve done this weekend and now we’re excited. Everybody is, (and we’re) going forward.”

Blough wasn’t the only player to do “research” when Brohm’s name emerged as a leading candidate in the last week or so.

Linebacker Markus Bailey said he took to Twitter and watched videos of Brohm, including a speech that had Brohm yelling about a “street fight between the whistles” that stuck out. It was one of many videos that showcased a fiery side to Brohm, both inside the locker room and on the sidelines during games as a coach but also in others as a riled-up former quarterback.

“It was pretty cool to see that personality come out,” Bailey said. “I know we’re going to have a competitor, just like he said. Everything he talked about, he’s going to walk that, too.

“This is just the beginning of the change of Purdue football to a new era, so it’s going to be intriguing to see how it goes from here. Right now, we’re in a discretionary period in terms of the weight room and everything. We’re going to be working hard so we can get back in January and hit the ground rolling.”

As a defensive player, Bailey is especially eager to learn more.

Because Brohm’s identity is as an offensive-minded — quarterback-specific — coach. And though that may have Blough and even running back Markell Jones — because of the nature of Brohm’s balanced offenses — salivating, it’s leaving Bailey with some questions.

He said Brohm told the team that he wants a defense that will stop the run and get to the quarterback, and Western Kentucky gradually got better as a defense in Brohm’s three seasons as head coach. Bailey doesn’t quite know what the style will be that enables Purdue to do so and may not until Brohm brings in a defensive coordinator and defensive support staff. So, for now, Bailey’s trying to be encouraged by what an explosive offense, at least, can do for a defense, as in “it’s not as hard on us.”

But Bailey wants it to be about more than just that.

“He talked about offensive creativity, but I don’t want Purdue to solely be known for their offensive trick plays and all that stuff, how efficient they are on offense,” Bailey said. “I want Purdue to be known for how stout we are on defense, too, stopping the run. How hard it’s going to be to play Purdue. Because if we can score that many points and stop the other team from scoring points, we’ll have a better chance to win.

“My high school, defense was the biggest thing, and I’ve always been taught that as long as you play great defense, you have a chance to win. I know he’s going to bring in a great defensive coordinator. I’m going to buy in and give 100 percent to whatever he says and go from there. Whoever he has as my position coach or the defensive coordinator is going to be someone I know is going to be put us in positions to be successful.

“He knows what he’s doing. I’m not worried about that at all. I just want everyone to know I want Purdue to be known for defense, too. Not just for offense.”

The offense, though, is what could sell tickets.

At least if Blough and Jones can help replicate what Brohm accomplished at WKU most recently. The Hilltoppers averaged nearly 530 yards and 45 points per game over the last three seasons and had a 1,000-yard-plus rusher, 3,000-yard-plus passer and multiple 1,000-yard-plus receivers each season.

“You look at the stats and I think a lot of times those tell the story themselves and he’s nationally ranked at Western Kentucky in all offensive categories,” Jones said. “He obviously has a focus on offense. That’s his background and he’s talked about some of his focuses in recruiting, getting linemen, so it’s a focus to run the ball, maybe throwing the ball a lot, so looking forward to the change and transition.”

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