Purdue AD Tommy McClellan critiques Indiana during introductory press conference
8 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 6, 2026, 9:30 PM
Last updated Aug 6, 2026
During his introductory press conference on August 6, Purdue Boilermakers athletic director Tommy McClellan made controversial remarks about Indiana football, stating, "If you don't want to win championships, go to Indiana." This comment comes despite Indiana's recent success as the 2025 national champion and Purdue's struggles, finishing the last season at 2-10. McClellan's remarks, made as he emphasized a championship culture at Purdue, could heighten tensions leading up to the scheduled matchup with Indiana on November 28, 2026. With Purdue's football program having not won a national title since 1931, expectations for improvement are critical this upcoming season under head coach Barry Odom.
- •Tommy McClellan emphasized championship goals during his introduction.
- •Indiana won the national title in 2025, highlighting Purdue's struggles.
- •Purdue has not made a bowl game since 2022.
- •The Boilermakers suffered a -157 point differential last season.
- •Purdue and Indiana are set to face off on November 28, 2026.
- 9:30 PMYahoo Sports — New Purdue AD Takes Massive Shot at the Indiana Hoosiers
- 9:01 PMESPN — New AD of rival Purdue takes dig at champion IU
- 5:56 PMYahoo Sports — New Purdue AD takes baffling shot at Indiana in intro press conference
- 5:43 PMYahoo Sports — New Purdue AD airballs shot at Indiana during introductory press conference
- 5:15 PMThe Indianapolis Star — New Purdue AD's message: 'If you don't want to win championships, go to Indiana' - indystar.com
"New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland apparently forgot Indiana winning the CFP national championship in January when he said, "we are here to win championships. "If you don't want to win championships, go to Indiana."
"The Indiana Hoosiers are the defending national champions. Yet, the new Purdue athletic director is taking shots at them. The post New Purdue AD Takes Massive Shot at the Indiana Hoosiers appeared first on HEAVY.
"During his introductory speech, Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland took a page out of Curt Cignetti's book. Except IU just won a national title.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 6, 2026, 9:30 PMNew Purdue AD Takes Massive Shot at the Indiana Hoosiers
The Indiana Hoosiers are the defending national champions. Yet, the new Purdue athletic director is taking shots at them. The post New Purdue AD Takes Massive Shot at the Indiana Hoosiers appeared first on HEAVY.
- ESPNAug 6, 2026, 9:01 PMNew AD of rival Purdue takes dig at champion IU
New Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland apparently forgot Indiana winning the CFP national championship in January when he said, "we are here to win championships. "If you don't want to win championships, go to Indiana."
- Yahoo SportsAug 6, 2026, 5:56 PMNew Purdue AD takes baffling shot at Indiana in intro press conference
Purdue Boilermakers athletic director Tommy McClellan took a shot at Indiana during his initial press conference.
- Yahoo SportsAug 6, 2026, 5:43 PMNew Purdue AD airballs shot at Indiana during introductory press conference
Purdue AD Tommy McClelland took a shot at Indiana on Thursday.
- The Indianapolis StarAug 6, 2026, 5:15 PMNew Purdue AD's message: 'If you don't want to win championships, go to Indiana' - indystar.com
During his introductory speech, Purdue athletic director Tommy McClelland took a page out of Curt Cignetti's book. Except IU just won a national title.
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