Purdue zeroing in?

Note: This is information as of Thursday, Dec. 1. For the very latest, log on to GoldandBlack.com.

The end game nears for Purdue's coaching search.

According to multiple sources, Purdue is planning for a Monday press conference. That doesn't mean it can't be called off if the weekend doesn't go as tentatively planned, but the intent here is to wrap this up this weekend, get the coach signed to a contract and get him introduced all in a relatively short period of time.

As we reported Wednesday, the three coaches that seem to have come to the forefront: P.J. Fleck, Jeff Brohm and Troy Calhoun.

Multiple indications suggest Brohm may have right of first refusal. We are not formally reporting Purdue has or will offer him the job or that he will absolutely accept, but things are pointing in his direction with Purdue and we have good reason to believe he is interested in the job. And with the sort of money Purdue's talked about through this process (for one thing), it would seem like it would have a great chance to land him. Again, a number of indicators are pointing his way.A complication might be Cincinnati opening and at least giving him something to think about, but it would seem unlikely he'd take Cincy over a Big Ten job that's talking about paying up to $3.5-$4 million, per sources.

We are assuming Purdue may talk to Fleck after his MAC title game on Friday, but we have no reason to believe that Purdue prefers him of the three. That is being generally assumed by fans and media, but we have not substantiated that. And even if he was Purdue's pick of the litter, he's going to want to look at other jobs, and Purdue might not be willing to wait.

Again, barring things going sideways this weekend, Purdue is planning to introduce its coach Monday. Fleck would have to accept the job this weekend, without much of a run at other positions. And again, we have no reason to believe he is Purdue's preference. In fact, we do have sources suggesting he's not.

Brohm plays Louisiana Tech Saturday afternoon in the Conference-USA title game. After that, we'd imagine Purdue will speak to him — we'd suspect there's already been some level of contact — and things could move quickly from there if both sides are on the same page.

Calhoun's regular season is finished. He could be announced at any time if he's Purdue's choice. It would seem as if he's a possibility Purdue is comfortable with, also.

Copyright, Boilers, Inc. 2016. All Rights Reserved. Reproducing or using editorial or graphical content, in whole or in part, without permission, is strictly prohibited.