Joe Tiller

[RGV Pony]

If Purdue fans, boosters and admin were anything like those at Arkansas, they would've made Tiller available to the market this year. He's got all kind of w's and bowl games, but lost to IU this year. This guy not only turned around what was arguable the worst team in the Big 10 when he got there, but friggin Wyoming as well.

Maybe we can get him if our price is right. Here's what he's getting now:
According to USA Today, Tiller's total package for 2007 was $1,764,806, which trails only Iowa's Kirk Ferentz and Ohio State's Jim Tressel among Big Ten coaches.

Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke said Tiller's 2007 earnings reflect a $300,000 retention bonus that was negotiated in 2004, because other college programs were showing interest in the Boilermaker coach.

"Basically what we elected to do (after the 2003 season), if Joe stayed with us through 2004-05-06-07, he would receive that bonus. So that $1,764,806 really is more like $1,464,806.

"His contract will vary, depending on performance, attendance, etc. His (total compensation) will vary from about $1.1 million to $1.6 million each year."

Tiller, who was unavailable for comment, earns a base salary of $242,550, with other income of $1,522,256 paid through the Purdue Research Foundation, a nonprofit corporation associated with the university, according to the newspaper.