Purdue's new athletic director, Tommy McClelland, has crossed that line.The Boilermakers officially welcomed McClelland to West Lafayette on Thursday, and boy, did he make a statement during his introductory press conference.Purdue Boilermakers Mascot Purdue Pete during a men's college basketball game between the Oregon Ducks and the Purdue Boilermakers on February 07, 2026 at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, IN.(Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr.
scores a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers on Nov.28, 2025, at Ross-Ade Stadium in West Lafayette, Ind.
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)OUTKICK IS NOW ON THE FOX APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOADIt's worth a quick mention that Purdue has never won a national title in football or men's basketball before we get to McClelland's comments.Indiana University, the school down the road, can't say the same, but don't let the new AD at Purdue know."Every recruit, every student-athlete will hear this message repeatedly: we are here to win championships," McClelland stated. "We are here to win championships.
If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana."For anyone who may have forgotten, which a few may have given how insanely and historically improbable it was, Indiana won the national championship in football in January.The Hoosiers were the best team in the country, they employ the best coach in the sport in Curt Cignetti, and their national title-winning quarterback was drafted first overall in the 2026 NFL Draft.CURT CIGNETTI REVEALS HOW WORKING FOR NICK SABAN CHANGED EVERYTHING: 'EVERY DAY WAS 4TH-AND-1'A Purdue Boilermakers helmet is seen on the sidelines against the Oregon Ducks at Ross-Ade Stadium on October 18, 2024 in West Lafayette, Indiana.(Justin Casterline/Getty Images)The Boilermakers have been a better men's basketball program than the Hoosiers in recent years, but Indiana has five national titles in hoops compared to Purdue's zero.The Pur...