Purdue head coach Barry Odom fired defensive coordinator Kevin Kane on Sunday, Nov. 8, just nine games into Kane’s second stint in the job, Nathan Baird of the Indianapolis Star reported.
The dismissal followed Saturday’s 34-29 homecoming loss to Maryland. In a separate column, Baird reported that Purdue allowed 8.7 yards per play in that game. As of his Nov. 8 column, the Boilermakers ranked last in the Big Ten in yards allowed per play, third-down defense and plays of 40-plus yards allowed.
What Purdue still owes Kane
The firing does not end Purdue’s salary obligation. Citing an employment contract released by the university, Baird reported that Kane is owed 100% of his remaining base salary through Dec. 31, 2027: $141,667 for November and December, plus $1 million for 2027.
The Star also reported that the contract does not require earnings from another job to offset the salary owed for 2027. Taking another position would therefore not reduce that obligation.
Kane had previously been fired in December 2024 with the rest of Ryan Walters’ staff. According to the Star’s report, he was owed $850,000 for the third and final year of that earlier contract.
