Purdue hires Nord as OC

From NCAA College Football Information & Resource

December 03, 2008

Purdue's rebuilding process continues with the recent hiring of Gary Nord as the Boilermakers' new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Nord, 51, has spent 16 years as an assistant under Howard Schnellenberger including 10 years at Louisville and more recently at Florida Atlantic. He handled QB Rusty Smith at FAU, who went on to become the conference Player of the Year last season after setting the league record in passing yards (3,688) and the school record in touchdown passes (32).

"Gary has one of the top offensive minds in the nation," said Hope of Nord, his former co-assistant at U of L and Oklahoma. "He also is an outstanding recruiter. We are fortunate to get someone with his background and experience. He's a real catch for us."

Hope also added Shawn Clark, whom he worked with at Eastern Kentucky, to his staff as offensive line coach.

"I have known Shawn virtually his entire career, and he coaches the o-line the way I want it to be coached," Hope said. "He's a bright young coach with a tremendous work ethic, and he's a former lineman himself, so the players know they are learning from someone who has been there, done that."

J.B. Gibboney has also been elevated to special teams coordinator from graduate assistant, replaceing Mark Hagen.

"I believe special teams is extremely important, and J.B. can give us a real advantage both in recruiting kickers and punters and coaching them," Hope said.

Hope and his staff will take over after outgoing coach Joe Tiller retires on December 31.

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