The Roost can independently confirm reports that current Rice Athletics AD Tommy McClelland is expected to be named the next AD at Purdue.
Initial reports from ESPN’s Pete Thamel that Rice Athletic Director Tommy McClelland had emerged as the target for the Purdue Athletic Director job broke Monday evening, August 3. By midmorning Tuesday, Thamel reported that a deal had been “finalized” and McClelland was indeed on the move from the Owls to the Boilermakers.
Widely viewed as an up-and-coming leader in college athletics, McClelland is set to leave Rice Athletics following a three-year run at South Main. Officially hired in August 2023, McClelland oversaw the hiring of basketball coach Rob Lanier, football coach Scott Abell and baseball coach David Pierce. He also spearheaded the Gateway Project, a $120 million development including stadium renovations and its connection to Rice Village.
McClelland is set to become one of a growing list of former Rice Athletics staffers to take on prominent roles in college athletics. Current athletic directors Tanner Gardner (Pepperdine), Bryan Blair (Syracuse) and Brian Mann (William & Mary) all came through Rice over the past several years.
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Purdue has not yet announced the hiring of McClelland, and, as such, is still very early in the process on the Rice side of things.
Sources tell The Roost that, at this time, no definitive path forward has been set, nor is there a set timeline for a potential replacement. That can, and likely will, change quickly in the days ahead. The fall sport calendar begins imminently with football opening practice this week and soccer beginning its season next week.
The Owls could go in myriad directions when it comes to picking their next AD. McClelland’s right-hand man at Rice, Eric George, is the most promising internal candidate and would provide continuity and expertise given his overlapping tenure. McClelland himself was an external hire with no prior connection to Rice before he was brought on staff.
No matter which direction Rice Athletics chooses to go, the hire will be critical. McClelland accomplished a lot in three years at Rice. His successor will have to take that baton and move the Owls forward in an increasingly challenging landscape.