Apparently that is what happens. Seems like this is very similar to Rick Barnes bolting because of competition, and money.

Part of me thinks this really sucks. But seriously, the dude cannot coach away games, or tournament games obviously. We have a ton of money to throw at someone. I would start with the Butler coach. sure it would be a lateral move in terms of accomplishment, but I bet our checkbook is bigger.

Is this a done deal.

Good for Clemson. He isn't a good coach. They can get a better coach in there.

^^ I hope so.

Prescott, it is a done deal to be announced at 2:30.

Depaul offered him 2.1 million (we currently pay him 1.1 with opportunity for incentives. It looks like we didn't feel Purnell's accomplishments warranted a matching of that offer, so he bolted for a big pay increase. I am ok with it.

But we need to find a good coach.

It seemed like Purnell was always on the hot seat. Perhaps instead of being fired at the end of this year, he reset himself to get fired in 4 years.

I'd be completely fine with this if I'm a Clemson fan. Sure he always had the team competitive, but you knew what you were getting out of him in that you were NOT getting out of the first round of the tournament. Clemson can get someone better.

I hope so. We really have no tradition in basketball. In fact, the last three years were the highest win totals for three years in any span in our history. I know the program is better than when he took over 7 years ago (see GOD AWFUL), but he did seem to be the Tommy Bowden of our basketball team. He got the team competitive, but couldn't get them over the hump.

The ball is in our AD, Terry Don Phillips' (see Idiot), court now. Hopefully he doesn't mess this one up.

This will end up being a good thing. Purnell is a joke.

Depaul shelled out so much money for him. He is now the 7th highest paid coach in college bball. The man has never won a tournament game for god's sake.

If there is a way to get Stevens from Butler you do it yesterday.

He's already accomplished more than Purnell has or will.

wildcats20 wrote: If there is a way to get Stevens from Butler you do it yesterday.

He's already accomplished more than Purnell has or will.

You mean like win an important game in March

Yeah, this is definitely a great move for Clemson.. I never liked this guy as a coach, I always felt like the team took his personality in late February and of course March..

He was a good recruiter though.

Word on the street is that we are going to try and throw the bank at Stevens from Butler. I personally don't think he would come to Clemson but if the price is right... maybe he wants to be in a major conference too.

Purnell has taken Clemson almost as high as they can go. Good time to move on IMO.

If Stevens leaves it will be to Oregon not Clemson, but I could see them going after Gregory. It worked once, why not try it again?

The big question is, what do I do with all my OP T-shirts with his face on them (I have caught 5 in the last two seasons at games).

$$$ and the chance to live and work/coach in Chicago!! Last I checked Clemson, SC was a university and a stoplight. Those of you that say it isnt a move up the ladder are missing the point.

Also this, DePaul BBall is #1 there, all they have basically. Clemson will always be a football school.

^^ We sold out our arena the entire season. At DePaul, you are second fiddle to the Cubs, Bears, White Sox, Bulls, Blackhawks, etc. Their bball stadium isn't even on campus, and their fan support is weak.


That being said, if he wanted to live in a big city, then obviously that could be a reason for the move. Though he has been here for 7 years.

What happened is that DePaul was offering many people a good deal of money to take the job. Purnell saw the salary offer (almost double what he made here at Clemson), and decided he would take the job unless we matched the offer. And why would we match the offer when he has done nothing in the last two years to warrant a raise since his last raise (2 years ago). We have made no noise at all in the post season, going out in the first round of both tournaments both years. So our AD didn't make the same mistake they did with Tommy Bowden (Bowden threatened to leave for Arkansas, we upped his contract, and then fired him less than a year later). In the end, Purnell isn't worth over 2 million dollars a year and a top ten salary in college basketball.

Plus, by all accounts, Purnell likes to build programs up and turn them around. He clearly cannot win the important games, but he is good at making teams competitive. Also, recruiting at Clemson for BBall can be frustrating, and Purnell was obviously frustrated by it. Most of the good prospects in this area become TarHeels, or Blue Devils. And if they don't they go out of the region.

This move should be a win-win for both parties. Purnell seemed to hit a wall in Clemson, and the expectations have been raised by the new talent he brought in. This way, he gets to go to where the expectations are lower for a few years, and he will rake in twice the money. For Clemson, they will be able to spend the money on a coach who doesn't have to rebuild. The program is in as good a shape as it has ever been, and fan support is high (as it is with every sport here).

I honestly don't know how good or bad Purnell is. But DePaul, IMO, is a sleeping giant. If they ever get the right person in there, who could reel in a couple of big recruts out of Chitown....they could take off. It sits in a hot bed of talent. Won't be easy. But I think its comparable to St. Johns job IMO, except for the fact that St. Johns is in the Big East.

Isn't DePaul in the Big East now?

Isn't DePaul in the Big East now?

They have been since 2005.

Manhattan Buckeye wrote: Isn't DePaul in the Big East now?

Well there you go! lol