Danny Hope is the epitome of the Boilermaker spirit. He is hardworking, results-oriented, enthusiastic and passionate.
Hope became the 34th head football coach in Purdue University history Jan. 1, 2009. He spent the 2008 season as associate head coach, working with the offensive line and managing recruiting. He was named to the position Jan. 11, 2008, with a succession plan in place for him to become head coach upon the retirement of Joe Tiller at the end of the year. Hope is under contract through the 2013 season.
An assistant under Tiller at Purdue from 1997 to 2001, Hope returned to the Boilermakers from Eastern Kentucky University, where he served as head coach from 2003 to 2007. His five-year record was 35-22 (.614 winning percentage), including 32-8 (.800 winning percentage) in Ohio Valley Conference games.
During the 2007 season, Eastern Kentucky finished 9-3 and won the OVC championship with an 8-0 mark. The Colonels advanced to the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA) playoffs and were ranked 13th in the final poll. The nine wins were the most by an Eastern Kentucky team since 1995 and the conference championship was the first since 1997. Hope was named OVC Coach of the Year, FCS Region 3 Coach of the Year and was a finalist for both American Football Coaches Association and Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year honors.
In addition to its conference championship in 2007, Eastern Kentucky finished second in 2003, 2004 and 2005. The Colonels led the OVC in total offense on three occasions and were tops in pass efficiency defense, tackles for loss, sacks and turnover margin a year ago. Eastern Kentucky produced four All-Americans and 24 first team all-conference performers under Hope.
Hope was an active figure both on campus and in the Richmond, Ky., area. He and his team were involved in many community service initiatives, including an annual blood drive. Other projects included the Free Others of Deprivation food, toy and clothing drive; Special Motor Fitness Clinic for children with special needs; and the EKU Student Organization Breast Cancer Awareness Auction.
Hope served as spokesman for the 2009 Purdue Cancer Center Challenge, a 5K run/walk that began and ended at Ross-Ade Stadium. He asked Boilermaker fans to "Take the Challenge, Get Up, Get Fit and Give Back" by raising funds for cancer research at Purdue.
In his previous stint with the Boilermakers, Hope coached the offensive line. Seven of his players went on to the National Football League: Ian Allen, Kelly Butler, Mark Fischer, Brandon Gorin, Matt Light, Gene Mruczkowski and Chukky Okobi. The Boilermakers played in the Alamo Bowl in 1997 and 1998, the 2000 Outback Bowl, 2001 Rose Bowl and 2001 Sun Bowl while averaging nearly eight wins per season.
In 2000, Light became the Boilermakers' first All-America offensive lineman since tackle Karl Singer in 1965 and first All-Big Ten offensive lineman since tackle Steve McKenzie and guard Dale Schwann in 1979.
Upon leaving Purdue, Hope served as assistant head coach at Louisville in 2002.
Hope initially worked with Tiller at Wyoming during the 1996 season. Hope's other experience includes stints as an assistant at Louisville (1987-94) and Oklahoma (1995). Among the players he coached at Louisville was Roman Oben, an offensive tackle with the San Diego Chargers. Hope began his coaching career as an assistant at Manatee High School in Bradenton, Fla., from 1981 to 1984. Manatee won the Florida Class 4A state championship in 1983. Hope was a graduate assistant at Louisville in 1985 and 1986.
Regarded as a tireless recruiter with a keen eye for talent, Hope was named one of the nation's best in 1993 and 2000 by Tom Lemming, editor of Prep Football Report. Hope has extensive contacts in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, the Gulf Coast and Miami areas in Florida, as well as Chicagoland. He also has recruited in the states of Indiana, Kentucky and Mississippi.
Hope started as an offensive guard at Eastern Kentucky from 1977 to 1980 for the legendary Roy Kidd, whom Hope succeeded as head coach. Hope was a member of the 1979 Division I-AA national championship team and captain of the 1980 national runner-up squad. He graduated in 1981 with a B.S. degree in psychology and a minor in health education.
A native of Gainesville, Fla., Hope (born Jan. 7, 1959) attended Miami Killian Senior High School. He and his wife, Sally, have a son, Chaz.
Danny Hope, head football coach, Purdue University, is available exclusively through IMG Speakers bureau for speaking engagements. Danny Hope is also available for corporate hospitality appearances, meet and greets, and much more. Please contact IMG Speakers at 212-774-6735 or speakers@imgworld.com for more information on booking Danny Hope.
