WEST LAFAYETTE IN:  Netflix Premieres “25 Years of Being Feisty on the Sidelines,” a Powerful Documentary Celebrating Hall of Fame Coach Gene Keady’s Legendary Career at Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN — August 7, 2025 — In a compelling new addition to its sports documentary catalog, Netflix today premieres “25 Years of Being Feisty on the Sidelines,” an emotional and richly detailed tribute to Hall of Fame coach Gene Keady and his indelible legacy at Purdue University. The film honors the iconic coach’s quarter-century at the helm of Boilermaker basketball, capturing the fiery passion, relentless grit, and unwavering loyalty that made him one of the most respected — and feared — figures in college basketball history.

Told through rare archival footage, interviews with former players, coaches, and rivals, and intimate moments with Keady himself, 25 Years of Being Feisty on the Sidelines isn’t just a sports documentary — it’s a human story of resilience, mentorship, and the cost of greatness.

Directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Ava Tillman (The Hardwood Chronicles), the documentary spans from Keady’s arrival in West Lafayette in 1980 to his final season in 2005, charting the evolution of a program — and a man — that would come to symbolize toughness, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

A Coach Who Built More Than a Program

Gene Keady, now 88, is remembered not only for his sharp suits and his legendary scowl but also for transforming Purdue into a perennial Big Ten powerhouse. Under his leadership, the Boilermakers captured six Big Ten regular-season championships, and Keady was named Big Ten Coach of the Year a record seven times.

Yet “25 Years of Being Feisty on the Sidelines” delves far deeper than the stats. The film explores Keady’s blue-collar upbringing in Kansas, his early coaching years in obscurity, and the battles — both personal and professional — that shaped him into one of the most influential minds in the game.

“This was never just about basketball,” says former Purdue star Glenn Robinson in the film. “Coach Keady taught us how to fight — not just on the court, but in life. He believed in us even when we didn’t believe in ourselves.”

Grit, Loyalty, and Legacy

The documentary captures the essence of Keady’s coaching style: intense, demanding, deeply personal. Former assistants, including Bruce Weber and Matt Painter, recount how Keady’s mentorship shaped their own careers and philosophies. Painter, now Purdue’s head coach and a longtime disciple of Keady, calls him “a once-in-a-generation leader who changed everything about how Purdue competed — and how we thought about what it meant to win.”

But 25 Years of Being Feisty on the Sidelines doesn’t shy away from the difficult moments. From heartbreaking NCAA Tournament exits to personal tragedies — including the passing of Keady’s first wife, Pat — the film reveals the full measure of the man behind the headlines. His perseverance through adversity becomes a central theme, painting a portrait not just of a winner, but of a survivor.

Rare Footage, Raw Emotion

One of the documentary’s most striking elements is its never-before-seen footage: fiery halftime speeches, behind-the-scenes training camps, and intimate moments with Keady’s family. In one particularly powerful scene, viewers witness a young Matt Painter listening intently as Keady lays out his vision for Purdue’s future — a future that Painter would ultimately inherit.

Netflix’s partnership with Purdue University and the Keady family allowed unprecedented access to private archives, bringing fans closer than ever to the heartbeat of Boilermaker basketball. The emotional gravity is enhanced by a score composed by Indiana native and Grammy winner Joshua Bell, whose stirring violin compositions underscore the highs and lows of a remarkable journey.

A Legacy Still Felt

Though it’s been 20 years since his final game as head coach, Gene Keady’s presence is still felt throughout Mackey Arena — in the banners, in the coaching tree he cultivated, and in the grit-first identity that still defines Purdue basketball.

“This film is our way of saying thank you,” said director Ava Tillman. “Thank you to a man who never compromised, who never gave up, and who gave generations of young men the tools to succeed not just in basketball, but in life.”

“25 Years of Being Feisty on the Sidelines” is now streaming exclusively on Netflix, with a special screening scheduled at Purdue’s Mackey Arena this weekend, featuring a live Q&A with Coach Keady, Matt Painter, and other Purdue legends.

Whether you’re a die-hard Boilermaker, a student of basketball, or simply someone who believes in the power of perseverance, this film is a must-watch — a tribute to a coach who didn’t just lead teams, but changed lives.