Tiller Tunnel ensures former Purdue coach's legacy: 'He never felt it was about him'
Joe Tiller made an ever-lasting impact on Purdue football, coaching the program to some of its greatest moments. Now, his legacy always will be a part of Ross-Ade Stadium.
A tunnel being constructed in the northeast corner of Ross-Ade Stadium will be called “Tiller Tunnel.” And the wife of the late iconic Purdue head coach is pleased.
“It looks really nice,” said Arnette Tiller. “I think that he would think it would be unnecessary. He’d probably want to build more practice fields.”
That was Tiller, a practical, pragmatic boss who won in a prolific fashion in West Lafayette. He passed away in 2017 at 74.
Tiller arrived from the Wyoming plains in 1997 and coached the Boilermakers for 12 seasons (1997-2008), leaving as the program’s all-time winningest coach (87-62 overall; 53-43 Big Ten) and leading Purdue to 10 bowls.
His most memorable season was 2000, when Drew Brees led the Boilermakers to the Big Ten title and Rose Bowl.
“Here’s a kid who grew up on a dead-end street in Toledo, Ohio,” Tiller quipped after clinching that trip to Pasadena with a victory over Indiana. “Who ever thought he would be on the field at the Rose Bowl?”
Brees and his wife are matching contributions made during today’s Purdue Day of Giving to build the Tiller Tunnel, which will connect the Kozuch Football Performance Complex and Ross-Ade Stadium.
“I think that’s wonderful,” said Arnette Tiller of the generosity of Brees and his wife.
Kelly Kitchel knows all about Tiller and his impact, playing offensive tackle under his guise from 1998-2002. Now, Kitchel thinks this tunnel bearing Tiller’s name will ensure he’s not forgotten to future generations.
“I was talking to a class the other day and I asked them if they knew who Joe Tiller was,” said Kitchel. “And more than half didn’t. Very few of them even knew who he was. And so to be able to share stories with those kids about what he did here and for them to find out what he means to Purdue University is just incredible.
“And I think it means a lot to our our alumni base that got to enjoy those years, as well, and can really reflect on those times that they had living through that, as well.”
MORE: Ross-Ade Stadium tunnel to be named in honor of Joe Tiller
Brock Spack was on the coaching staff for all 12 of Tiller’s Purdue teams, learning much of what he knows about the coaching profession from Tiller and using it to become the all-time winningest coach at Illinois State, where he has been head coach since 2009.
“Coach Tiller would have really liked the idea of a tunnel connecting the football facility to Ross-Ade,” said Spack, an All-Big Ten linebacker for the Boilermakers from 1980-83. “It’s only fitting it is being built in his name.”
What is Tiller remembered for the most?
“I think he is probably remembered the most for being just a normal, personable guy,” said Arnette, who plans to be at the dedication of the tunnel with her family. “He was the same with the boosters as he was with the janitors as he was with the players. You always knew what you were gonna get with him. And I think that’s probably his legacy. He never felt it was about him. And that’s rare in coaches.”
For more information on Purdue Day of Giving and to contribute to the Tiller Tunnel, visit this site or contact the John Purdue Club at 765.494.2582.
