Purdue Football: Jeff Brohm joins rare breed of college coaches

After announcing he’d be staying with Purdue football and turning down a job to come home and lead Louisville, Jeff Brohm joined a rare breed of coaches.

A man is only as good as his word. For Purdue’s Jeff Brohm, that must mean he’s one of the best guys out there, turning down a chance to come home and coach his alma mater to stay with the up-and-coming Boilermakers.

Brohm had always been a man of his word and he gained the trust of his own fan base on Wednesday as he announced he’d be staying in West Lafayette despite there being an opening down in Louisville after the Bobby Petrino firing.

The thing is, no one would have truly knocked him if he took the job at Louisville. There’s nothing more appealing than going back home to coach the team you once played for, but he couldn’t leave Purdue with a clear conscience, knowing that he had plenty of unfinished business.

Sure, the Louisville job could be there in the future, but Brohm saying no now could mean that he’s at Purdue for the long run. These days, that type of loyalty is rare.

Brohm has to be one of the most respected coaches in the country after this announcement, joining a rare breed of coaches that stay true to their word. Guys like Matt Campbell at Iowa State or — for years — Chris Petersen at Boise State.

No one blamed Willie Taggart for following his dream job to Florida State last offseason, but it wasn’t the best look, leaving Oregon after just one year.

Brohm is a stand-up guy, budding coach and well sought-after potential hire, but programs have now learned it’s going to take much more than the lure of going home and coaching an alma mater to swipe him from West Lafayette.

Good on you, Jeff.