Return on Investment: Pat Fitzgerald Paying High Dividends at Northwestern

Much like the economy, a simple influence can change everything. Around Thanksgiving in 1996, Purdue University went looking for new influence for its football program that had lost almost all of its credibility. The search began and ended in the coach-breeding state of Wyoming, as then Cowboys head coach Joe Tiller was brought back to his old stomping grounds, where he had served as an assistant for four seasons.   Nearly 12 years and 10 bowl games later, Tiller transformed Purdue into a national powerhouse, molding young men into NFL stars, while cementing his place as Purdue’s all-time winningest coach.   Heading into the final year of what has been a memorable career for Tiller, he’s been able to reflect on his past accomplishments that have continued accumulated each season.   “I think the fact that when I went to Purdue, they had 12 non-Bowl seasons and maybe 11 of the 12 had been losing seasons [to now,] where we've been competitive every ... (link)