The rivalry between Purdue and Indiana is among the most intense in college sports.
Despite the Boilermakers’ recent struggle against the Hoosiers in both Football and Basketball, Purdue’s new AD Tommy McClelland’s bizarre comment on Indiana turned many heads.
CFB World Reacts as Purdue AD Takes Shot at Indiana
After Purdue’s longtime athletic director Mike Bobinski announced his retirement, McClleland took the stage for the first time as the school’s AD in his introductory press conference on Thursday.
In his speech, McClelland discussed a message the school will deliver to every recruit and student-athlete.
The message was, “We are here to win championships; if you don’t want to win championships, go to Indiana.”
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
The college football world on social media was taken aback by McClelland’s comments, and many called him out for it.
“Bears Now” host Harrison Graham reacted to McClelland’s comments and said, “I mean, don’t you have to fire this guy immediately?”
I mean, don’t you have to fire this guy immediately? https://t.co/KE0R5wubHC
— Harrison Graham (@HGrahamNFL) August 6, 2026
“The crazy thing is this wasn’t even a slip up. He was reading this off of a script. What on earth is he thinking lmao.” YouTuber Sir Yacht added.
The crazy thing is this wasn’t even a slip up. He was reading this off of a script. What on earth is he thinking lmao https://t.co/KKrQPzULU9
— Sir Yacht (@SirYacht_) August 6, 2026
“Indiana is about to beat the brakes off Purdue on November 28th,” Fantasy Points CFB writer Trilly wrote. “Whatever the lines are, I’ll be taking it. Josh Hoover OVER Pass Yds, Turbo Richard OVER Rush Yds, Charlie Becker OVER Rec Yds, Nick Marsh OVER Rec Yds, Indiana OVER 1H Team Total, Indiana OVER FG Team Total.”
Indiana is about to beat the brakes off Purdue on November 28th. Whatever the lines are, I’ll be taking it.
Josh Hoover OVER Pass Yds
Turbo Richard OVER Rush Yds
Charlie Becker OVER Rec Yds
Nick Marsh OVER Rec Yds
Indiana OVER 1H Team Total
Indiana OVER FG Team Total https://t.co/zLiwZ0NUlq— Trilly (@trillymoneyline) August 6, 2026
“Godspeed Purdue on Nov. 28 in Bloomington.” On3 analyst Brett McMurphy said while highlighting that Indiana will face Purdue on November 28 this year.
“Who’s gonna tell him?” Seth Davis questioned.
It was a reference to the fact that Indiana just won the national championship in the 2025 college football season, while also producing a Heisman Trophy winner and No.1 overall draft pick, Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers also went undefeated during their historic 2025 season.
“If you don’t want to make money, go to the Dodgers.” Bills reporter Sal Capaccio sarcastically added, in response to McClelland’s claim that Indiana hasn’t won championships, as the Los Angeles Dodgers have dished out a lot of money in recent years to attract the best available players.
