Veteran coach calling plays for Purdue defense after firing defensive coordinator. What we know

Purdue football coach Barry Odom has enlisted senior defensive analyst Dave Steckel to call plays during Saturday's game against Iowa, according to a broadcast by NBC. Odom had to find a new play caller after dismissing defensive coordinator Kevin Kane following a loss to Maryland. This marked Purdue's third consecutive defeat after achieving a 3-3 midseason record.

Steckel, who joined Purdue's staff in the offseason as a senior analyst, had previously served as Missouri's defensive coordinator from 2009 to 2014. He then coached at Missouri State for five seasons. Before his tenure at Missouri State, Steckel worked as a defensive coordinator at his alma mater, Missouri, before becoming the head coach of Missouri State.

Throughout his career, Odom has predominantly served as a defensive coordinator. He held this position at Missouri before taking over as head coach. He also served as Memphis' defensive coordinator from 2012 to 2014 and Arkansas' defensive coordinator from 2020 to 2022 before assuming the role of UNLV head coach for two years. Odom relieved Kane of his duties as defensive coordinator nine games into the first season of their second collaboration.

By that time, Purdue had fallen to the bottom among Big Ten teams in crucial defensive metrics such as yards allowed per play, third-down defense, and plays of 20-plus yards allowed.