Purdue targets Tommy McClelland for athletic director position
5 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 4, 2026, 11:37 PM
Last updated Aug 4, 2026
Purdue University is reportedly focused on hiring Tommy McClelland, currently the athletic director at Rice, as its next AD. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that the announcement could come this week alongside a Board of Trustees meeting. McClelland, who has served at Rice since 2023, previously held positions at Vanderbilt and Louisiana Tech. The hiring follows the announced retirement of Mike Bobinski on December 31, who has led the department since 2016. McClelland will take over during a time of transition in Purdue's leadership and significant challenges in revenue generation across sports in the Big Ten Conference.
- •Tommy McClelland has been AD at Rice since 2023.
- •Purdue plans to announce a new athletic director soon.
- •McClelland previously served at Vanderbilt and Louisiana Tech.
- •Mike Bobinski is retiring at the end of December.
- •Purdue's athletic programs have mixed success recently.
- 11:37 PMYahoo Sports — Purdue to hire Tommy McClelland from Rice as athletic director, AP source says
- 3:21 AMESPN NCAAF — Sources: Purdue targets Rice's McClelland for AD
- 11:58 PMYahoo Sports — Purdue targeting Rice’s Tommy McClelland as athletic director per report
"Purdue plans to hire Tommy McClelland from Rice as the school's athletic director, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person requested anonymity because school officials had not made an announcement. McClelland replaces Mike Bobinski, who announced his retirement on June 3.
"Tommy McClelland has been AD at Rice since 2023, after serving as Vanderbilt athletic director from 2020-23. He was Louisiana Tech’s AD from 2013-20
"Rice athletic director Tommy McClelland has emerged as the primary target in Purdue's athletic director search, sources told ESPN.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsAug 4, 2026, 11:37 PMPurdue to hire Tommy McClelland from Rice as athletic director, AP source says
Purdue plans to hire Tommy McClelland from Rice as the school's athletic director, a person with knowledge of the decision told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person requested anonymity because school officials had not made an announcement. McClelland replaces Mike Bobinski, who announced his retirement on June 3.
- ESPN NCAAFAug 4, 2026, 3:21 AMSources: Purdue targets Rice's McClelland for AD
Rice athletic director Tommy McClelland has emerged as the primary target in Purdue's athletic director search, sources told ESPN.
- Yahoo SportsAug 3, 2026, 11:58 PMPurdue targeting Rice’s Tommy McClelland as athletic director per report
Tommy McClelland has been AD at Rice since 2023, after serving as Vanderbilt athletic director from 2020-23. He was Louisiana Tech’s AD from 2013-20
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