Matt Painter executed his plan thoroughly and he got his wish. Did anyone really think he was leaving? What kind of statement would that have sent to the athletic department and Purdue faithful. Many folks have suggested this whole ordeal wasn’t all about the money. Yeah, getting a $1 million dollar bonus, no big deal. It was about the money and something else: attention.
After the four most successful seasons in Purdue history, Painter still hadn’t had his day in the spotlight. Thanks to solid leadership and role players, the Boilers won at least 25 games over the last four years. They were just one of eight Division I teams to do so. Three Big Ten Coach of the Year awards for Painter in four years didn’t translate into postseason victories.
Instead of letting the Butler Bulldogs having their week in the spotlight, rightfully so, am I the only one thinking Coach Painter planned everything accordingly? The mid-major Bulldogs led by a coach six years younger than Painter has him in disarray. Painter believes that he had the most talent and the best team in the state.
But again, with 107 victories, the last four years at Purdue were the most successful in history yet all it equated to was two Sweet Sixteen appearances (08-09, 09-10) and two exits in the second round (07-08, 10-11).
I call out Painter. His selfish act has taken away from the success of Butler all this week. Instead of the focus being on Matt Howard’s heroic finishes or Ronald Nored’s stellar defense, the topic of conversation is whether Painter is leaving and if does, will Brad Stevens take over. That’s unfair and egocentric.
He can have his day…when he earns it. Butler has rallied to win 13 straight games, the longest current winning streak, and Painter tries to put the subject on the back-burner.
Wednesday Matt Painter agreed to a new eight-year deal (to 2018-19) with a base salary of $2.3 million per year for boost of ONE MILLION DOLLARS – plus raises for his assistant coaches. Nope, wasn’t about the money was it?
I can’t believe his Bluff almost doubled his previous salary. It also jumps his pay to third in the Big Ten behind Tom Izzo and Thad Matta. Completely done on purpose, Painter jumps Tom Crean just barely to sit in the 3rd position after behind 8th highest paid last season.
I don’t begrudge a guy for trying to get his market value and the most money he can. We all would..get it why you can. And honestly, his value is about at its peak. But the circumstances in which he went about it, when he went about it were completely outlandish and selfish.
Thursday after his press conference announcing the new eight-year deal, Matt Painter joined the Dan Dakich show. Here’s the podcast.
it might have been for the money but he deserved that money anyway, big ten coach of the year three years in a row getting the third lowest salary in the big ten is not right, i think he was frustrated about losing some big recruits too
I was frustrated with how this situation was covered. Too many people tried to get involved stating he was leaning one way or the other citing “sources” with no connections. That’s the problem with the twitter-age. Sometimes it’s better to be right than first.
I agree Painter does deserve more money but another mil is over the top. Does that mean Stevens is worth more, at least $2.5 million a year?