November 22, 1996

Purdue Hires Joe Tiller As Head Football Coach

Tiller is one of six finalists for the 1996 Football Writers Association of America Paul "Bear" Bryant National Coach-of-the-Year. He has been Wyoming's head coach the past six years. The Cowboys are currently 10-1 and ranked 19th nationally by USA Today/CNN and 20th by the Associated Press. Wyoming has two games remaining: Dec. 7 in the Western Athletic Conference championship game and a likely bowl contest.

"Joe met all our criteria for a head coach and was our top choice," Burke said. "His record of achievement at Wyoming is outstanding. He has developed a national top 20 team, will play for his second WAC championship and is respected by his colleagues as an astute judge of talent. He is tough, firm, fair and relates well with his players. He understands the academic philosophy of the university, and takes great pride in the thoroughness of his recruiting evaluation system."

"I am excited to come back to Purdue," Tiller said. "The foundation of the football program is very solid and I look forward to building on the solid foundation that Jim Colletto put in place."

Tiller is 39-29-1 in six seasons at Wyoming, including a 30-16 mark the past four years. He is the first Wyoming coach since 1969 to lead the school to four consecutive seasons of six victories or more. One of his current players, wide receiver Marcus Harris, is a Heisman Trophy candidate and finalist for the Biletnikoff Award. Harris has set three NCAA records (most career receiving yards, 4400; most 100-yard games, 23; and is the first player to have three 1,400-yard seasons).

Since becoming the Cowboys' head coach in 1991, Wyoming has experienced unprecedented success. His team was 8-4 in 1993, won a share of the WAC title and a trip to the Copper Bowl. He then was named Region 5 Coach-of-the-Year by the American Football Coaches Association, becoming only the third coach in school history accorded such an honor.

His Cowboy squads have ranked in the country's top 20 in passing offense and top 30 in total offense every year. His players have set school records for career and single-season passing, rushing and receiving yardage. Before Marcus Harris, another player, Ryan Yarborough set the NCAA record for most career pass receiving yards.

In the classroom, 1995 marked the first time that Wyoming led the WAC in academic all-league picks (eight), and it had Academic All-Americans in two consecutive seasons for the first time in 1994 and 1995. The Cowboys had two first team All-Americans in 1995, along with one first team Academic All-American, one NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship winner, two CFA National Scholar-Athletes and five first team All-WAC selections.

Tiller served as Purdue's assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and defensive line coach from 1983 through 1986. The Boilers posted their most recent on-the-field winning campaign in 1984, going 7-5 with a second-place tie in the Big Ten Conference and Peach Bowl appearance.

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Tiller earned a B.A. degree in secondary education from Montana State in 1965. He was an All-America offensive guard and team captain, then was drafted by the Boston Patriots of the American Football League. He chose to sign with Calgary of the Canadian Football League where he played one season.

After spending one year as a graduate assistant coach at Montana State, he coached the defensive and offensive lines at his alma mater, remaining there through the 1970 season.

Tiller moved on to Washington State in 1971 where he spent three seasons, one as defensive line coach and two as offensive line coach and coordinator. During that time, the Cougars improved from 4-7 in 1971 to 7-4 in 1972.

He joined the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL and spent nine seasons (1974-82) there. Four years were as offensive and defensive line coach, including one season as interim head coach, and five years as the director of player personnel.

Tiller then moved on to Purdue where he coached the likes of Rod Woodson, now an All-Pro cornerback with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was Wyoming's offensive coordinator in 1987 and 1988, then was Washington State's assistant head coach, offensive coordinator and offensive line coach in 1989 and 1990. He recruited and developed current New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

Tiller and his wife, Arnette, have three children, Renee, Julie and Mike.

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