IOWA CITY, IA — Purdue football coach Barry Odom has turned to senior defensive analyst Dave Steckel to call plays in Saturday’s game at Iowa, per the NBC game broadcast.
Odom needed a new play caller after firing defensive coordinator Kevin Kane on Sunday after a loss to Maryland. It was Purdue’s third consecutive loss after reaching midseason 3-3.
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Steckel joined Purdue’s staff as a senior analyst in the offseason. He served as Missouri’s defensive coordinator from 2009-14. He later spent five seasons as the head coach at Missouri State.
Odom has spent a significant portion of his career as a defensive coordinator. He held that position at his alma mater, Missouri, before becoming head coach. He also served as Memphis’ defensive coordinator from 2012-14 and Arkansas’ defensive coordinator from 2020-22, prior to his two-year stint as UNLV head coach.
Odom fired Kane nine games into the first season of his second stint as defensive coordinator. Purdue went into this weekend last among Big Ten teams in most important defensive categories, including yards allowed per play, third down defense and plays of 20-plus yards allowed.
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Iowa ranks second among Big Ten teams in rushing yards per attempt but only 13th in pass efficiency rating.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Veteran coach calling plays for Purdue defense after firing defensive coordinator. What we know
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