Matt Painter has finalized the Purdue basketball coaching staff, with former player Kenneth Lowe replacing assistant coach Terry Johnson, who has left for other opportunities. P.J. Thompson has also been officially promoted to associate head coach.
Matt Painter finalizes Purdue basketball coaching staff with former player replacing assistant
Purdue men's basketball's roster locked in stability for the coming season, but the coaching staff will undergo a small shakeup.
Assistant coach Terry Johnson has left the program to pursue other professional opportunities, the program announced. Former Boilermaker player Kenneth Lowe will replace him.
Also, P.J. Thompson's promotion to associate head coach became official. His responsibilities have steadily increased since he rejoined the program in 2019.
Purdue also brought back former players Lance Jones and Sterling Carter as graduate assistants. All of these hires continue a trend for Matt Painter of bringing former Boilers back into the fold as assistants and promoting from within when possible.
The Purdue Boilermakers meet on the court before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers fans cheer along with the band and cheerleaders before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff (45) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
The Purdue Boilermakers meet on the court before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers mascot Purdue Pete interacts with fan Nick Delfino before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
The Purdue Boilermakers band performs for fans before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers fan Walter Evans cheers along with the band before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers fans cheer along with the band and cheerleaders before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers cheerleaders perform for fans before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Carolyn Rough cheers along with the Purdue Boilermakers band and cheerleaders before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Fans enter the stadium before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Purdue Boilermakers guard Jack Benter (14) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
1 / 15
The Purdue Boilermakers meet on the court before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
1 / 15
The Purdue Boilermakers meet on the court before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
2 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers fans cheer along with the band and cheerleaders before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
3 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
4 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers center Oscar Cluff (45) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
5 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers forward Trey Kaufman-Renn (4) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
6 / 15
The Purdue Boilermakers meet on the court before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
7 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers guard Fletcher Loyer (2) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
8 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers mascot Purdue Pete interacts with fan Nick Delfino before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
9 / 15
The Purdue Boilermakers band performs for fans before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
10 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers fan Walter Evans cheers along with the band before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
11 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers fans cheer along with the band and cheerleaders before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
12 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers cheerleaders perform for fans before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
13 / 15
Carolyn Rough cheers along with the Purdue Boilermakers band and cheerleaders before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
14 / 15
Fans enter the stadium before a NCAA Tournament game between the Purdue Boilermakers and Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
15 / 15
Purdue Boilermakers guard Jack Benter (14) warms up before a NCAA Tournament game against the Arizona Wildcats on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the San Pedro Square Market in San Jose, Calif.
Johnson spent five years on Painter's staff, which coincided with some of the most successful in the program's history. The longtime Butler assistant — including stints on the 2010 and 2011 national runner-up teams — coached at Ohio State prior to joining the Boilermakers.
An Anderson native, Johnson played both basketball and baseball in college, including a stint at IPFW.
Lowe should inherit Johnson's position working with the defense, and that's a natural fit. He was a two-time Big Ten defensive player of the year in 2003-04. He began his coaching career at Purdue as assistant video coordinator from 2014-17.
Insider: After Purdue basketball's mass roster announcement, intrigue shifts from who to what
Lowe then moved on to Miami (Ohio) for five seasons before beginning four seasons as an assistant at St. Thomas of the Summit League. He oversaw defensive strategy for a program transitioning to Division I status. The Tommies went 24-10 in each of the past two seasons and last season had the conference's second-ranked defense behind champion North Dakota State.
Purdue recently announced all eligible scholarship players will return for the 2026-27 season. Princeton transfer Caden Pierce signed after committing in February. The Boilermakers also bring in a four-man freshman class and could add another big man via the transfer portal.
Nathan Baird and Sam King have the best Purdue sports coverage, and sign up for IndyStar's Boilermakers newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Purdue basketball coaching staff adds Kenneth Lowe to replace Terry Johnson
Kenneth Lowe, a former Purdue player, is replacing Terry Johnson as an assistant coach.
Terry Johnson left the program to pursue other professional opportunities.
P.J. Thompson has been officially promoted to associate head coach.
P.J. Thompson rejoined the Purdue basketball program in 2019.
LIV Golf's future appears uncertain as reports suggest Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund may withdraw funding after investing $5 billion. Despite assurances for the 2026 season, the tour faces challenges from low ratings and strong competition from the PGA Tour.
Wings shut down questions about Fudd and Bueckers' relationship
Damon Jones, former NBA player, to change plea to guilty in conspiracy case involving Terry Rozier.
Indiana Fever bolster roster by signing veteran guard Shatori Walker-Kimbrough
Joe Cole advises Arsenal to adjust their attack for the Man City match.
Former Indiana basketball players appeal dismissal of their lawsuit against the school.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.