Retired NFL legend Drew Brees will get his first taste of coaching experience and will do so at his alma mater through bowl season.
Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger reported on Thursday that Purdue has hired Brees to serve as an interim assistant coach for its Citrus Bowl matchup against LSU on January 2. The Boilermakers’ staff is currently in a transition period with former head coach Jeff Brohm leaving for Louisville last week and new head coach Ryan Walters being announced on Tuesday. Brees will assist in prepping the team, coach in the game itself, and even help recruit over the next few weeks.
Brees left NBC in June after one year as an analyst for both their Notre Dame and NFL coverage. While he’s still under contract with the network, they have indicated they wouldn’t stand in the way of him taking another position somewhere.
Before establishing himself as one of the all-time NFL greats, Brees put himself on the map nationally through a successful four-year collegiate career at Purdue around the turn of the century. Under the guidance of head coach Joe Tiller and offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, Brees set numerous Big Ten passing records while running a then innovative spread offense. His college career culminated in 2000, where he won the Maxwell Award, finished third in Heisman Trophy voting, and led the Boilermakers to their first Rose Bowl appearance since 1967.
It will be interesting to see if this multi-week stint with his alma mater will launch his coaching career.