Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski to retire
Bobinski’s departure coincides with the resignation of President Mung Chiang, marking the end of a tenure defined by structural shifts in college sports and significant programme developments.
Purdue University athletic director Mike Bobinski has announced plans to retire on 31 December, a move confirmed by the IndyStar. The announcement coincides with the recent resignation of Purdue President Mung Chiang, who is departing for Northwestern University, with former Indiana governor Mitch Daniels named interim president. Purdue has not yet announced a timeline for the search to replace Bobinski.
Bobinski, who was hired in 2016 from Georgia Tech to succeed Morgan Burke, is one of the longest-tenured athletic directors in the Big Ten Conference. His tenure oversaw the department's transition into the revenue share era of college sports. Under his leadership, the men’s basketball team reached the Final Four in 2024, marking the program’s first appearance since 1980.
The football program advanced to the 2022 Big Ten championship game, the only such appearance in program history, under head coach Jeff Brohm. Bobinski hired Ryan Walters as football head coach in 2023; Walters was fired after two seasons following a 2-10 record in his first year. Barry Odom was hired as the new football head coach from UNLV.
Katie Geralds was appointed as the new women’s basketball coach, succeeding Sharon Versyp, who departed amid an investigation into the treatment of players. The women’s volleyball team continues to compete at a top 10 national level.
The announcement coincides with the departure of Purdue President Mung Chiang.
