Purdue University has announced Alex Jerden as the next head coach of the men’s swimming and diving program. Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Bobinski made the announcement Tuesday morning.
Jerden’s elevation to the role of head coach comes after long-time head coach Dan Ross announced his plans to retire following the conclusion of the season. Ross has served as the head coach of the men’s swimming and diving program at Purdue since the 1985-1986 NCAA season, making him one of the longest tenured head coaches in college athletics, and the second-longest tenured head coach in Purdue Athletics history. Ross is scheduled to officially resign from his position as head coach in June, at which point Jerden will officially take the program over.
Jerden has been promoted to head coach of the program after spending the past four seasons with the Boilermakers. He began in 2019 as a volunteer assistant, then was promoted to a full-time assistant in summer of 2021.
Jerden is credited with ramping up recruiting during his time with the Boilermakers, who have seen some key freshmen join the team in the past few years. In the four years Jerden has been coaching with the Boilermakers, the men’s team has managed to earn at least one top-3 individual or relay finish at every Men’s Big Ten Championships. During the 2022-2023 season, five Purdue swimmers clocked top five times in program history.
In a statement following the announcement, Jerden said in part “The opportunity to lead Purdue as head coach is the highest honor of my coaching career and the responsibility I feel to the program, to the alumni and to Purdue is a privilege and joy to have.” He added “Throughout most of my life, the coaches and mentors I’ve had and worked with in swimming have invested in me beyond measure, for which I am incredibly grateful. And so, accepting this position is an exciting amplification of the role I will have to help people as purposefully and as abundantly as I can. That I get to do this through this sport and at Purdue University with fantastic people around me is a beautiful thing.”
Speaking on the hiring of his replacement, Dan Ross said “I couldn’t be prouder to pass the baton of head men’s swimming & diving coach to Alex Jerden as he becomes only the fourth head coach of our program since 1939.” Ross added “Alex is smart; he’s been exposed to and developed fast swimmers. But more importantly, he does it the right way – the Purdue Way. Honest, driven, fair but challenging – he’s a perfect fit for the future of this program.”
Prior to his arrival at Purdue as a coach in 2019, Jerden coached for Boilermaker Aquatics for five years. Prior to that, Jerden also spent two seasons as a volunteer assistant with the University of Texas men’s team, under legendary head coach Eddie Reese.
This is wonderful news! The administration clearly recognizes the importance of maintaining the positive and nurturing team culture that has been developed at Purdue. The swimmers on the team believe in Coach Alex, and he believes in them. Other Power 5 programs have hired big names only to see their team culture destroyed along with their athletes’ love of the sport. The swimmers trust Coach Alex, and that is the foundation of a strong program. Nothing but big things ahead! Boiler Up! Hammer Down!
Sooo clearly the school is trying to save some money. No disrespect to Alex, but his resume does not read Big10 Head Coach! Most of his collegiate coaching experience has been as a Volunteer!
Whoever his assistant is might have more collegiate experience than he does haha
I’ll be honest this was rather anti-climactic. Looking forward to seeing who takes over duke, maybe that will be exciting
Think they keep that in house as well. Men’s team isn’t fully funded and they finished the season well.
To be fair Doak has a ton of experience, but considering they’re private and posted this job a month ago if that were the case I’d think it would have been announced by now.
My son told me he was going out to HS’s and recruiting. Making an effort. Which hasn’t been there during my time being relatively close to the program. So that is a start. No reason that Purdue with its excelllent academics (particularly engineering), top-notch facilities, and proximity to very fast HS swimmers of Indiana, Ohio and Illinois, cannot be much better than they have been.
This seems a bit untrue. The two previous assistant coaches, as well as Dan, definitely travelled for recruiting. (Also want to note someone by the username meeee seems to consistently post negatively on this school)
So glad you approve! Maybe you can stop your incessant whining about Purdue now…
I think he’ll lead the Purdue men to an national title, similar to what Purdue swim club did a few weeks ago 👀 #boilerup
This is more delusional than Chad 2.0 saying he’s going to win the 100fly at the Olympics.
“During the 2022-2023 season, five Purdue swimmers clocked top five times in program history.”
I don’t know anything about him, but this doesn’t seem like a major accomplishment for any program.
Gotta sell the hire to potential recruits.
Excellent! Alex is an amazing coach! Well done, Purdue! Congrats Alex!
Great choice! He is passionate about the sport, loves the kids, and has an enthusiasm that is contagious. Congratulations Alex!