Gene Keady, the former Purdue coach, exudes Boilermaker pride as he sports a black Nike polo shirt with a gold swoosh and "Purdue Basketball" stitched on it, perfectly complemented by a matching Boilermakers ball cap. At 87 years old, he finds himself in Arizona, supporting his beloved team as they gear up for the Final Four, a milestone he never reached during his impressive 25-year tenure.
Despite not being on the sidelines, Keady's influence looms large over this Final Four, especially for Purdue coach Matt Painter. Having learned from Keady both as a player and an associate coach, Painter credits much of his success to the wisdom gained while sitting next to Keady on the Purdue bench before the latter's retirement in 2005.
Traveling alongside Purdue throughout their NCAA tournament journey, Keady was present in Detroit for the Elite Eight, witnessing the team's historic advancement to the Final Four, a feat not achieved since 1980 under coach Lee Rose. Taking over as head coach after Rose's departure, Keady expressed immense pride in Painter's accomplishments, highlighting his former player's dedication and adherence to doing things the right way.
In a touching gesture, after Purdue's victory against Tennessee, the towering 7-foot-4 Zach Edey, without the aid of a ladder, cut down a piece of the net and presented it to Keady, recognizing his role in Purdue's success. This gesture deeply touched Keady, who was pleasantly surprised by the thoughtful gesture, emphasizing that the mere thought behind it meant the world to him.
When asked about Purdue's chances against NC State, Keady, in his trademark humble manner, refrained from making a prediction but praised the team's strengths. He highlighted their strong lineup, featuring a dominant center and sharpshooters, coupled with their formidable team defense, as the winning formula.
While Keady never led Purdue to the Final Four during his tenure, he did reach the pinnacle of college basketball once as an assistant coach at Arkansas in 1978. Despite this, he is primarily remembered for his illustrious career at Purdue, where he achieved numerous accolades, including 17 NCAA tournament appearances, two Elite Eight berths, six Big Ten titles, and 512 wins, culminating in his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2023.
Reflecting on his career, Keady acknowledged the disappointment of not winning a title or making it to the Final Four as a head coach. However, he emphasized that success should also be measured by the personal growth and achievements of his players, many of whom graduated under his mentorship.
Regarding the challenges of reaching the Final Four, Keady emphasized the importance of player attitude, understanding the difficulty of the task, and maintaining focus. He underscored that it takes a combination of factors to succeed, rather than relying on a single element.
As Purdue vies for its first NCAA title, Keady's heart swells with pride, knowing that one of his former players and students, Painter, is at the helm. He finds it difficult to articulate the depth of his emotions, but one thing is certain – if Purdue emerges victorious, Keady will be overjoyed and immensely proud.
Login