Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer, January 24, 2013
BTN has confirmed that new Purdue coach Darrell Hazell has made the final big hire of his first Boilermakers staff, tabbing John Shoop as offensive coordinator.
Shoop has an impressive background, coaching in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers from 1995-98, the Chicago Bears from 1999-2003, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2004 and the Oakland Raiders from 2005-06. Shoop was offensive coordinator for the Bears, while also coaching quarterbacks in Chicago as well as in Carolina, Tampa Bay and Oakland.
Shoop, 43, joined the college ranks in 2007, when he became offensive coordinator for Butch Davis at North Carolina until the 2011 season.
Shoop figures to bring a pro-style to West Lafayette, which will be welcomed after the offense sputtered and failed to have an identity for four seasons under Danny Hope.
Perhaps Shoop will embrace Purdue?s passing legacy that is the program?s identity, as the school has produced the likes of Bob Griese, Len Dawson, Mark Herrmann, Drew Brees and Kyle Orton, among other quarterbacking greats to matriculate through West Lafayette. But Shoop also likes to run the ball, as evidenced by some of his work in the NFL. His attack helped the Bears go 13-3 in 2001 and win the NFC Central.
No doubt, Shoop?s NFL background will appeal to recruits. Purdue already has a commitment from four-star quarterback Danny Etling, who will take part in spring drills. And touted Austin Appleby redshirted last year after arriving amid big hype.
| About Tom Dienhart | BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart is a veteran sports journalist who covers Big Ten football and men's basketball for BTN.com and BTN TV. Find him on Twitter and Facebook, read all of his work at btn.com/tomdienhart, and subscribe to his posts via RSS. Also, send questions to his weekly mailbag using the form below and read all of his previous answers in his reader mailbag section. |
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