NCAA Basketball: 5 coaches who deserve a lifetime deal like Bill Self’s at Kansas

Matt Painter, Purdue

Yes, the sting of what’s happened in recent NCAA Tournaments hasn’t faded for the Purdue Boilermakers yet. Last year’s historic first round loss to Farleigh Dickinson will be on Matt Painter’s ledger forever.

But Painter is still creeping up on becoming the best coach in program history and his ability to keep the Boilermakers relevant nationally would be hard for any coach across the country to top.

Painter was the coach to replace the best leader in program history, Gene Keady, after his retirement in 2005. The Purdue alum coached Southern Illinois for one dominant year before returning to his alma mater.

Unsurprisingly, the first year was a challenge, but it remains the only season under Painter without double-digit victories for Purdue. Since then, he’s only had two other losing seasons, both close flirtations with .500.

Meanwhile, the Boilermakers are riding a streak of eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances. While last year’s March Madness brought nothing but sadness to Purdue, they’re in position to avenge their monumental upset thanks to the return of Canadian big man and reigning National Player of the Year Zach Edey.

Painter has been a model of consistency for the Big Ten program in his two decades in charge, on the court and on the recruiting trail. The NCAA Tournament flame-outs are disappointing, but those expectations came about because of how Painter has built on the work of Keady to elevate the stature of the program.

Painter is an alum of Purdue and still young in coaching years at 53. If he wants to spend the rest of his career helping the Boilermakers get over the hump, he should get that opportunity.