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
Assistant coach Terry Johnson has left the program to pursue other professional opportunities, the program announced. Former Boilermaker player Kenneth Lowe will replace him.
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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
See the Purdue Boilermakers take on Arizona Wildcats in March Madness
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.
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.
Who is replacing Terry Johnson on the Purdue basketball coaching staff?
Kenneth Lowe, a former Purdue player, is replacing Terry Johnson as an assistant coach.
What led to Terry Johnson leaving the Purdue basketball program?
Terry Johnson left the program to pursue other professional opportunities.
What is P.J. Thompson's new role in the Purdue basketball coaching staff?
P.J. Thompson has been officially promoted to associate head coach.
When did P.J. Thompson rejoin the Purdue basketball program?
P.J. Thompson rejoined the Purdue basketball program in 2019.
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