Lavin Considers Possibility of Assistant’s Job at Purdue

Steve Lavin plans to discuss with Purdue Coach Gene Keady returning to the Boilermakers as an assistant. Lavin, the UCLA coach the last seven seasons and a Purdue graduate assistant from 1988 to ‘91, might want assurances he would become head coach when Keady, 66, retires in two or three years.

“Because of my special feelings for Coach Keady, Purdue and greater Lafayette, this is one of the few places I would consider being an assistant coach,” Lavin said.

Jay Price, Purdue’s top assistant, is expected to leave for Illinois to work for Bruce Weber. Keady said he would consider Lavin and former Purdue players Linc Darner and Todd Mitchell as possible replacements for Price.

Lavin also had discussions with ESPN this week to become an analyst next season. Lavin has a six-year, $1.19-million buyout from UCLA. Any money he makes during that time would be subtracted from the buyout.