Tommy McClelland made a remark that typically would have amounted to little attention outside of Indiana, but at his introductory news conference as Purdue athletic director made a comment that went nationwide.
McClelland continued his media rounds Friday with local and national radio shows. He joined 107.5 The Fan and Jake Query, who asked about his comments on championships and what was meant to be a slight to IU.
“Off the cuff,” is how McClelland described his comments made Thursday about Indiana. In the presence of local boosters and media, the newly appointed athletic director described his words as an “in-state joke that didn’t land well.”
Later on “The Pat McAfee Show” McClelland added, “I knew it the second it left my mouth.”
McClelland was announced as the fifth Purdue athletic director Wednesday, then spoke publicly Thursday. In front of university personnel, boosters and assembled media, he said: “Every recruit, every current student-athlete will hear this message repeatedly, we are here to win championships. If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana.”
This comes seven months after the Indiana football program defeated the Miami Hurricanes in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship. In the same season, the Boilermakers finished 2-10 (0-9, Big Ten) during Barry Odom’s first year at the helm and lost to the Hoosiers 56-3. Indiana has won 25 national championships across all sports to Purdue’s 3.
McClelland also expressed his vision for Purdue’s athletes, placing a priority on graduation and academic success.
“We want to develop champions, period,” mentioning academics and career aspirations as key pillars, to go alongside athletics.
Shortly after his appearance with local radio, McClelland continued his media tour and made an appearance on Friday’s episode of “The Pat McAfee Show.” Hee echoed the same sentiment to the national contingent on his comments about Indiana — this time with a playful reference to golf.
“Every now and then, you line it up on the first tee and you’re really excited, about that round; and I put it right in the water,” McClelland said with a smile. “I got 18 more holes to play.”
McClelland makes the move to West Lafayette after spending the last three years at Rice. Previously, McClelland also spent time at Vanderbilt, Louisiana Tech, and McNeese State.
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue AD Tommy McClelland ‘knew it the second’ he made IU championships joke it didn’t land
Reporting by Cameron Cocquyt and Nathan Baird, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cameron Cocquyt and Nathan Baird, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
