Spring Break
Former basketball assistant leaves Southern Ill. for Big 10
Painter leaves for Purdue, his alma mater, where he could become next head coach
Matthew Stevens
Issue date: 4/9/04 Section: Sports
After a full week of consideration, Keady decided to reject the University of San Francisco's overtures and $400,000 contract offer and stay at Purdue. Keady, 67, has one year remaining on his contract with the university and it appears likely that the 2004-05 season could be his last with the Boilermakers. Keady is paid $800,000 per season by the university.
Keady also made it clear that he wanted to at least have a voice in saying who will become the next Purdue head coach.
"I was concerned about my three assistants (Martin, Todd Foster and Tracy Webster) and I wanted to get a say-so in my successor," Keady said to the Associated Press. "If I'm there, I'll be in a situation where I'll be better able to do that."
Other names considered included former UCLA coach and current ESPN analyst Steve Lavin and current Purdue assistant Cuonzo Martin.
"I've talked with Coach Keady a lot the last couple weeks about different situations," Painter said. "After the job was offered to me, he just kept telling me to do what was best for me and my family."
One name that has been thrown around in recent years was Bruce Weber but after leaving Southern Illinois to take the head coaching position at Illinois, he agreed to not leave the Fighting Illini for Purdue.
Painter confirmed at the SIU Awards Banquet that he was "torn" between staying at SIU and taking a job as an assistant at Purdue that would lead to the head post at his alma mater.
Painter said Tuesday his decision probably would come within the next two days.
"It could happen in 12 hours or it could happen in 48 hours," Painter said. "I'm not really sure.
Painter stated that would not mind going back to being an assistant.
"I feel more comfortable being an assistant coach anyway, to tell you the truth," Painter said. "My personality allows me to be that way. I don't look at myself as a head coach when I'm actually out there standing and being a head coach. I'm just trying to help our players, trying to help our team win and just trying to be a part of the program."
Keady also made it clear that he wanted to at least have a voice in saying who will become the next Purdue head coach.
"I was concerned about my three assistants (Martin, Todd Foster and Tracy Webster) and I wanted to get a say-so in my successor," Keady said to the Associated Press. "If I'm there, I'll be in a situation where I'll be better able to do that."
Other names considered included former UCLA coach and current ESPN analyst Steve Lavin and current Purdue assistant Cuonzo Martin.
"I've talked with Coach Keady a lot the last couple weeks about different situations," Painter said. "After the job was offered to me, he just kept telling me to do what was best for me and my family."
One name that has been thrown around in recent years was Bruce Weber but after leaving Southern Illinois to take the head coaching position at Illinois, he agreed to not leave the Fighting Illini for Purdue.
Painter confirmed at the SIU Awards Banquet that he was "torn" between staying at SIU and taking a job as an assistant at Purdue that would lead to the head post at his alma mater.
Painter said Tuesday his decision probably would come within the next two days.
"It could happen in 12 hours or it could happen in 48 hours," Painter said. "I'm not really sure.
Painter stated that would not mind going back to being an assistant.
"I feel more comfortable being an assistant coach anyway, to tell you the truth," Painter said. "My personality allows me to be that way. I don't look at myself as a head coach when I'm actually out there standing and being a head coach. I'm just trying to help our players, trying to help our team win and just trying to be a part of the program."
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