Kevin Kane fired as Purdue football defensive coordinator.
PurdueBarry Odom made a questionable defensive coordinator hire that was immediately unpopular among the Purdue football fanbase. This season showed why fans were apprehensive about Odom's decision to bring back former defensive coordinator Kevin Kane in the role he served for the 2023 and '24 seasons after then-coach Ryan Walters .
After nine games, the Boilermakers ended Kane's second stint as the program's defensive coordinator. Kane's 2026 salary is $850,000, paid in monthly installments, meaning he'd be owed roughly $141,666.67 plus the $1 million 2027 base salary.
When Kane was hired to succeed Mike Scherer in December 2025, it was met with criticism both Odom and then athletic director Mike Bobinski expected and discussed prior to making the move. Bobinski told a room of reporters in January, "the proof will be in the results."
Purdue's defense on Saturday in a 34-29 loss to a Maryland team that entered on a six-game losing streak saw touchdowns of 75, 87 and 44 yards among its banner day spoiling the Boilermaker homecoming. From January: Why Barry Odom brought fired defensive coordinator back to Purdue football
KEY POINTS
- Kevin Kane fired as Purdue football defensive coordinator.
- Purdue is statistically the Big Ten's worst defense, following a trend from Kane's previous time as Boiler defensive coordinator, which led to Walters and most of the staff being let go after the 2024 season where Purdue went 1-11 .
- Kane will receive the remainder of his base salary for the duration of his contract that runs through December 2027.
- Analysis: 2 identifying traits halt Purdue football's progress in second year under coach Barry Odom