Big Ten Basketball: Top 10 head coaches of the century (2000-20)
By Joey Loose
5. Big Ten Basketball coach – Matt Painter (Purdue, 2005-2020)
When Painter joined Purdue in 2005, there were tremendous shoes to fill. Outgoing coach Gene Keady had accomplished quite a lot in his 25 years leading the Boilermakers. Unfortunately, the Boilermakers were entering quite a lull, finishing just 7-21 in Keady’s final season. Painter was tasked not only with turning things around but establishing a consistent Big Ten contender once more.
On both counts, Painter has been successful. He’s led Purdue to 11 NCAA Tournaments, an Elite Eight, and four Sweet Sixteen appearances. His 2019 team would have made the program’s first Final Four in three decades before a game-tying buzzer-beater by Virginia. They’ve won three Big Ten regular-season titles, and the team won at least 12 Big Ten games five straight years from 2015-19. Purdue has jumped back into the national spotlight with their success.
The lack of a Final Four is a disappointment, but it’s not the end of the world. Purdue recently finished in the top 3 in the Big Ten five years in a row. This program is built not only to contend for Big Ten titles but to contend on the national level. Painter will have plenty of chances to make that elusive Final Four, something Keady couldn’t accomplish during his tenure either.