Hope Hires Elmassian To Coach Linebackers

The Boiling Point: Purdue football coach Danny Hope welcomed Phil Elmassian onto his staff on Monday to coach the linebackers.

After Purdue football coach Danny Hope filled his linebacker vacancy left by the departure of Mark Hagen with Demontie Cross, Hope was left searching for another guy after Cross left Purdue for Wisconsin. Hope hired his man, Phil Elmassian on Monday.

Elmassian is a well-traveled coach. He coached the secondary at Purdue in 2003, comes from Illinois State and is now on his 19th coaching job since breaking in back in 1974.

"“We are excited to have Phil rejoin Boilermaker Nation. Our goal was to find the best defensive coach, and he fits that bill. He has a true passion for football, and his energy and enthusiasm for the game will be contagious to our team. He demands the best from his players and will be an immediate difference-maker towards winning. Having worked with (defensive coordinator) Gary Emanuel and (defensive backs coach) Lou Anarumo in the past, he is familiar with our staff and our defensive game plan. That familiarity will provide a smooth transition and immediate continuity for our team.” – Hope said."

Obviously, Elmassian wasn’t Purdue’s first choice given the Cross hire. And the fact that Elmassian is on his 19th job is a bit concerning, too. Given spring practice starts in a day, it’s evident Hope needed to make a hire and Elmassian’s familiarity with Purdue and its coaching staff aided in him getting the nod.