Breaking: Purdue Boilermakers Assistant Coach Terry Johnson Announces Departure

Breaking: Purdue Boilermakers Assistant Coach Terry Johnson Announces Departure — Reportedly Set to Take Over as Head Coach at Lincoln Trail College

West Lafayette, IN — October 3, 2025

In a surprising development that sent ripples through the Purdue basketball community, longtime assistant coach Terry Johnson has officially announced his departure from the Boilermakers program. According to multiple sources, Johnson is set to become the next head coach at Lincoln Trail College, a junior college located in Robinson, Illinois.

While the move has not yet been confirmed by Lincoln Trail officials, Johnson’s departure from Purdue was acknowledged internally Thursday morning, with players and staff reportedly informed during a closed-door meeting at Mackey Arena.

This marks the end of a key chapter in Purdue basketball’s recent rise — and the beginning of a new opportunity for one of the sport’s most respected assistant coaches.

A Quiet but Powerful Force Behind Purdue’s Success

Terry Johnson joined Matt Painter’s staff in 2021, bringing with him years of experience from stints at Butler, Ohio State, and IPFW. Known as a defensive strategist and strong communicator, Johnson quickly carved out a reputation as an integral part of Purdue’s development, particularly on the defensive end of the floor.

During his tenure, Purdue enjoyed several of its best regular seasons in school history — including multiple Big Ten titles, No. 1 national rankings, and NCAA Tournament runs. His ability to connect with players, recruit high-level talent, and implement complex defensive schemes helped the Boilermakers become one of the most consistent programs in the country.

“Terry wasn’t just a coach — he was the balance,” one Purdue staffer told us. “He was the calm presence during the highs and lows. He brought professionalism and heart into every single practice.”

That balance will now be put to the test in a new role — as a head coach for the first time.

A New Chapter at Lincoln Trail College

While the move to a junior college program might seem like an unusual step for a Power Five assistant, those who know Johnson understand that this was less about the level and more about the opportunity to lead a program of his own.

Lincoln Trail College competes in the NJCAA and has a long-standing tradition of developing under-the-radar talent and helping student-athletes find their way to Division I programs. The Pioneers have been searching for a leader with a strong recruiting network, a deep basketball IQ, and the patience to mentor young athletes both on and off the court.

Johnson fits that bill perfectly.

“This is a perfect fit for him,” said one Big Ten assistant who knows Johnson well. “He’s a builder. He knows how to develop players, he knows how to create culture, and most importantly — he’s doing this for the right reasons.”

The move also brings Johnson geographically closer to home. A native of Anderson, Indiana, and a former player at Lamar University, Johnson has deep Midwest ties and a strong reputation across high school and junior college circuits.

What This Means for Purdue

For Matt Painter and the Boilermakers, Johnson’s departure creates an immediate hole in one of the most stable coaching staffs in the Big Ten. His role as defensive coordinator and scout leader for high-major matchups was critical in game planning. Additionally, he played a central role in the development of Purdue’s guards and was heavily involved in player mentorship and leadership growth.

Painter now faces the challenge of replacing a coach whose presence extended beyond Xs and Os.

“This isn’t just about filling a job — this is about finding the right person,” a source close to the program said. “Terry knew how to challenge guys without breaking them. That’s rare.”

Several names are already being floated as potential replacements, including internal options and a few younger assistants from mid-major programs. Painter has typically leaned on promoting from within or hiring coaches with strong regional ties, but given the importance of this role, a national search may be underway.

Players React

While no public player statements have been made yet, several current and former Purdue athletes posted cryptic messages on social media after the news broke — with emojis and “thank you” notes flooding X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram stories.

Johnson had strong relationships with many of the current roster’s leaders, including guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, who often credited him with helping them develop their defensive game and leadership mindset.

“TJ believed in me when I didn’t fully believe in myself yet,” one current player posted. “That’ll always mean more than basketball.”

What’s Next

Johnson’s official introduction at Lincoln Trail College is expected later this week, with a formal press release likely to follow. The timing — just weeks ahead of the start of the 2025–26 college basketball season — adds some logistical challenges, but also gives both Purdue and Lincoln Trail time to adjust before games begin.

For Johnson, this is a leap into the next phase of his coaching career — one that many around the sport believe is long overdue.

“He could’ve been a D-I head coach years ago,” said a former Purdue assistant. “But he never forced it. He waited for the right situation, and I think he found it.”

Final Thoughts

While Purdue loses a key member of its coaching brain trust, the program remains in steady hands under Matt Painter, whose ability to maintain consistency and build through change is well established. But make no mistake — Terry Johnson’s departure is a big deal.

Not because of where he’s going, but because of what he brought every single day to West Lafayette.

Lincoln Trail College just landed a coach with Big Ten experience, integrity, and a proven ability to lead young men.

And Purdue just said goodbye to one of its very best.