Purdue Football's 2024 Season: A Disastrous Campaign Raises Questions About Ryan Walters’ Future

The 2024 season has been nothing short of catastrophic for Purdue football. Heading into Saturday’s matchup against Michigan State, the Boilermakers hold a dismal 1-9 record, having yet to defeat an FBS opponent. Their losses have been particularly lopsided, with an average deficit of 29.6 points per game, and all but two of their defeats decided by at least 17 points. Alongside Kent State, Purdue ranks among the bottom six FBS teams (out of 134) in both scoring offense and scoring defense.

By nearly every metric, this season stands as one of the worst in the program’s 132-year history.

Ryan Walters and Purdue’s Struggles

The spotlight has turned to head coach Ryan Walters as the program’s performance continues to decline. Walters was hired in December 2022 after Jeff Brohm left for Louisville, inheriting a program that had appeared in four bowl games over the previous six seasons and was fresh off its first-ever Big Ten Championship Game appearance.

However, the transition has been rocky. Walters’ debut season ended with a 4-8 record, and the Boilermakers have regressed further in 2024, appearing largely uncompetitive in most games. Adding to concerns is the outlook for the future. According to 247Sports, Purdue’s 2025 recruiting class is ranked 81st nationally and last in the Big Ten—20 spots behind Northwestern, the next-closest conference team.

Walters’ Contract and Buyout Details

If Purdue decides to part ways with Walters after his second season, financial considerations will play a significant role. Walters signed a five-year, $20 million contract in December 2022, with annual pay of $4.05 million. This salary ranks second-to-last among Big Ten public school head coaches, ahead of only UCLA’s DeShaun Foster.

Under the terms of his contract, Walters would be owed 75% of his remaining base salary if fired without cause. If Purdue makes the move by December 1, the buyout would total $9,590,625. This includes:

  • His remaining 2024 salary ($253,125 for December)
  • $4.1 million for 2025
  • $4.15 million for 2026
  • $4.2 million for 2027

The payout would be distributed in equal monthly installments through the contract’s expiration on December 1, 2027.

While Walters’ buyout is significantly lower than the $15.5 million Indiana paid to part ways with Tom Allen after the 2023 season, Purdue faces financial pressures of its own. Universities are bracing for the potential financial burden of sharing revenue with athletes, which could exceed $20 million annually.

A Slim Coaching Resume

Walters’ tenure as head coach has yielded underwhelming results so far. In two seasons at Purdue, he holds a career record of 5-17, including a 3-13 mark in Big Ten play. This marks a steep decline from the two seasons prior to his arrival, when the Boilermakers posted a combined 17-10 record and went 12-7 in conference games.

With the 2024 season nearing its end, Purdue faces tough decisions about its football program’s future. Whether Walters will remain at the helm or the Boilermakers opt for a fresh start remains to be seen.