Michelle Pemberton/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Tommy McClelland is announced as the new Purdue Athletic Director at Purdue University on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026, in West Lafayette Ind.
The Indiana Hoosiers famously won perhaps the most improbable national championship in the history of college football last season.
But it appears that nobody informed new Purdue Athletic Director Tommy McClelland.
The Boilermakers held an introductory press conference for McClelland on Thursday, and rather than make a strong first impression, McClelland ended up making a comment that is getting him clowned all over social media, even by his own school’s fans.
NEW: Purdue AD Tommy McClelland in his introductory press conference:
“We are here to win championships. If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana.”
(via @BigTenNetwork)https://t.co/pwjsY4Axo9 pic.twitter.com/nqIYR1ks8Q
— On3 (@On3) August 6, 2026
Purdue AD Tommy McClelland Takes Completely Out Of Touch Jab At Indiana
McClelland began his press conference normally, thanking the school’s administration and his family for getting him to where he is now.
Then things got off track a little. He began to talk about his vision for Purdue athletics, which has just three NCAA team national championships to its name.
He then shifted to taking a shot at the school’s rival, the Indiana Hoosiers.
“Every recruit, every student-athlete will hear this message repeatedly. We are here to win championships,” McClelland began. “We are here to win championships. If you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana.”
Now, listen, we appreciate the bravado. And taking shots at your rival is always fun. But it’s not exactly something you do when your rival is the reigning college football national champion and the talk of the college athletics world.
Understandably, college sports fans were quick to point out the gaffe.
“Who wants to tell him?” Zak Keefer of The Athletic asked.
“I’m all for smack talk between college rivals, but you can’t say this less when your rival is a defending National Champion,” wrote Matt Holder on X.
Perhaps McClelland can back up all the tough talk. But for now, he just looks like a giant goof.