Wait over for Purdue's Ryan Walters: Time to be head coach

Ryan Walters looks sharp as he strolls into Lucas Oil Stadium. He always looks good. He’s ready for his debut at Big Ten media days.

The first-year Boilermaker boss is decked out in all black …shoes, pants, dress shirt, sport coat. A shiny gold “P” pin on his left lapel stands in stark contrast to the black look Walters sports.

Everything remains possible for Walters, moving from his hire in December, through two signing days, offseason conditioning, spring ball and summer work. Now, it’s time for the next step: training camp, which will open Aug. 2.

“I’ve known I wanted to be a head coach for a long time,” said Walters. “So, I’ve been preparing for it for a long time and blessed to be around people that have influenced me and poured into me in terms of allowing me to reach my goals and am sitting in front of you today as a head coach. But the thing that I think you can’t prepare for is just the recognition, being in the community and people recognizing who you are.”

The last eight months have been a learning process for the 37-year-old Walters.

“I think the biggest thing I’ve learned is to be able to adapt and to adjust,” said Walters. “Nothing is always gonna go as scripted in every area, in every department. Just the ability to trust your plan that you put in place, trust the people that you’ve got in the building to perform their jobs on a daily basis, to be able to adapt and adjust when things aren’t scripted.”

Purdue opens the season at home on Sept. 2 vs. Fresno State.

Purdue Picked 6th in West

When Cleveland.com released its 13th annual preseason Big Ten poll, Purdue was selected to finish sixth in the West, ahead of only Northwestern. Purdue–the defending West champs–received votes ranging from third to last.

“I mean, we see it,” said Walters. “It isn’t a secret. It’s how everybody feels. We just have a chip on our shoulders and have something to prove.”

NIL question

Name, Image and Likeness continues to cast a long shadow over college sports. How soon does the topic come up when Walters is recruiting?

“Immediately, especially obviously when you’re dealing with the transfer portal,” he said. “Not as much with the high school kids, but it’s definitely a topic of discussion.”

The Boilermaker Alliance is the independent collective that is raising money for Purdue’s NIL cause. It recently announced a new membership initiative that involves GoldandBlack.com.

Recruiting success

The one area where Walters has resonated the most thus far in his brief tenure: recruiting.

This staff is aggressive and engaging, showing an ability to connect to players. Purdue has 21 commits in its 2024 class, ranking 25th in the nation and seventh in the Big Ten according to On3.com. The class is highlighted by three four-star commits: S Koy Beasley, WR Keonde Henry and S Luke Williams.

“I’m extremely proud of the work (the staff has) done,” said Walters. “Obviously, signing day is a long ways away, so we’ve got work to do to keep guys committed and to fill the class. … They’ve exceeded my expectations and I have pretty high expectations.”

Word on hazing

Allegations of hazing have engulfed Northwestern into controversy and cost Pat Fitzgerald his job. A media outlet also alleges P.J. Fleck’s Minnesota program of player mistreatment.

“It’s wrong and there’s no place for it,” said Walters of hazing. “And it’s just a reminder that you got to be in tune with and in touch with what’s going on in the locker room. And, you know, we’ve got a Leadership Council in place, 15-18 guys that represent the locker room. So, we will meet with them once a week and just talk about all things that pertain to what’s going on.”

Unique defense

Walters developed this defense while at Missouri. It is a unique five-man front that is difficult to categorize.

“It is definitely not a 3-3-5,” he said. “It’s definitely not a 3-4. It’s its own deal. We’re big where we are supposed to be big and we’re fast where we are supposed to be fast.”

Walters’ Illini D ranked No. 1 in the nation in scoring last season (12.8 ppg) and No. 2 in yards allowed per game (263.8).

Hand’s off

Walters will be a CEO head coach, eschewing play-calling. Kevin Kane will call the defense, while Graham Harrell will call the offense.

“I’ve been blessed to surround myself and this program with guys that are capable and high quality coaches and men,” said Walters. “So, it’s my job to do my job to allow them to do theirs.”

Peanut butter on hamburger?

When it comes to iconic West Lafayette eateries, no place tops Triple XXX, a West Lafayette institution famous for its Duane Purvis All-American hamburger which comes slathered with peanut butter. Has Walters been to Triple XXX yet?

“I have,” he said. “It was for breakfast. The peanut butter burger doesn’t sound appealing, but I’ll try it. I’ve heard lots of great things about it. And there’s definitely some great food joints in West Lafayette.”

More for Mockobee

This time last year, Devin Mockobee was an unknown redshirt freshman walk-on running back. Now, he’s a proven commodity and rising star who is coming off a 968-yard season. What’s next?

“Kudos to Coach Ro (Kiero Small) and our strength staff,” said Walters. “Devin Mockobee looks like a different player. He’s transformed his body. He obviously has talent and skill set to have success in this conference. That’s proven.

“We’re excited about his growth and maturation with the scheme and his ability to run the football and break tackles. Obviously, he can be a huge asset for us on the ground.”