Report: Pac-12 team hires away Purdue co-offensive coordinator

The Washington Huskies have officially hired former Purdue co-offensive coordinator, JaMarcus Shephard, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. He will coach the wide receivers with the Washington Huskies, as well. Shepard also interviewed at Notre Dame, according to On3’s BlueandGold.com.

Tom Dienhart was the first to report the news. Shephard mentored talented receivers at Purdue such as David Bell, Rondale Moore, and others since 2017.

In 2021, Bell hauled in 93 catches for 1,286 receiving yards, while bringing in six touchdown catches. He established himself as one of the most dominant receivers in all of college football under Shepard’s watchful eye. In a stunning upset over then second-ranked Iowa, Bell hauled in 11 catches for 240 receiving yards and one touchdown.

The gifted wide receiver earned first team All-America honors from multiple media outlets and figures to be one of the top receivers selected in the 2022 NFL Draft.

In 2019, he hauled in 86 catches for 1,035 receiving yards, while bringing in seven touchdown catches.

Before Purdue, Shephard spent time with the Washington State Cougars and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at the collegiate level.

While with Purdue, Shephard’s explosive passing attacks put up incredible numbers at times. Boilermakers’ quarterback Aidan O’Connell threw for over 500 passing yards in their bowl game against Tennessee. Purdue won the Music City Bowl in a 48-45 overtime classic. It was one of the most electrifying games of the 2021-2022 bowl season.

O’Connell’s 534 passing yards were the second most all-time by a Big Ten player in a bowl game.

Purdue’s passing attack was among the nation’s best in 2021

The Purdue offense put up some incredible numbers through the air in 2021. Their passing attack completed 70.8 percent of their passes, good enough for second in the country. They also averaged 355.3 passing yards per game, putting them fifth in the nation in that category.

It’ll be interesting to see what Shephard can do for the Huskies in the Pac-12.