Matt Painter's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Matt Painter. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Matt Painter is an American college basketball coach, currently the head coach at Purdue University since 2005. Prior to Purdue, he was the head coach at Southern Illinois University for one season. Painter also played basketball at Purdue as a guard from 1989 to 1993.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1911: Highest Win Margin Since 1911

On November 11, 2012, Matt Painter's squad opened the season beating Northern Illinois by 62 points, the program's highest win margin since 1911.

1976: Most Big Ten wins since 1976

In 2023 the Boilermakers finished with 17 wins in conference play, the most in program history and most in Big Ten history since Indiana's 18 in 1976.

1977: Most Big Ten wins since 1977

In 2023 the senior class ended with 59 victories in Big Ten play, tied for the most for any class in Big Ten History, matching Indiana's class of 1977.

1980: First Final Four since 1980

In 2019, Purdue reached their first Elite Eight since 2000 and the Tennessee game marked their first Elite Eight since 1980, showing a significant drought in deep tournament runs for the program.

1987: Highest Preseason Ranking Since 1987-88 Season

In 2023 Purdue's number 3 preseason AP poll ranking was their highest preseason ranking since the 1987-88 season.

1993: Led Purdue in assists

In 1993, as a senior, Matt Painter led Purdue in assists and earned an honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference selection.

1993: Tied for Best Start in Program History

The 2009-10 Purdue team, coached by Matt Painter, tied the 1993-94 team for the best start in program history with a 14-0 record.

1996: Last Outright Title in 21 Years

In 2017, Purdue won their 23rd Big Ten Conference regular season championship and first outright title since 1996.

2000: Elite Eight Appearance

In 2019, Purdue made their first Elite Eight appearance since 2000, marking a significant milestone for the program under Matt Painter.

2002: Missouri Valley Conference championship

In 2002, Matt Painter helped lead Southern Illinois to a Missouri Valley Conference championship.

2004: Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year

In 2004, Matt Painter was named the 2003–2004 Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year.

February 3, 2007: Purdue Ends Road Game Losing Streak

On February 3, 2007, Matt Painter's Purdue team ended a 29-game road losing streak by defeating Penn State at the Bryce Jordan Center.

2007: Start of Four-Year Span of Wins

From 2007 to 2010, Matt Painter coached his squad to 102 wins, marking the most wins in a four-year span in school history.

November 14, 2008: Fewest Turnovers in a Game

On November 14, 2008, Matt Painter's team set the school record for fewest turnovers in a game, committing only three against Detroit.

2008: Named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year

In 2008, Matt Painter was named the Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year.

May 7, 2009: Honorary Starter at Indianapolis 500

On May 7, 2009, Matt Painter served as the honorary starter and waved the green flag at the Indianapolis 500 qualifying round in Speedway, Indiana.

2009: First Conference Tournament Championship

In 2009, Matt Painter led Purdue to its first conference tournament championship in school history.

2009: Paradise Jam Tournament Championship

In 2009, Matt Painter led his Purdue team to the Paradise Jam tournament championship, defeating Bruce Pearl's #10 Tennessee. This victory contributed to a 12-0 record against non-conference opponents before entering conference play.

2010: Start of Four-Year Span of Wins

From 2007 to 2010, Matt Painter coached his squad to 102 wins, marking the most wins in a four-year span in school history.

2010: Best Record and First Conference Championship

In 2017, Purdue had their best record and first conference championship since 2010, finishing the season with a 25-6 record.

2011: Big Ten Coach of the Year

In 2011, Matt Painter was named Big Ten Conference Coach of the Year for the third time in four seasons. Additionally, Purdue received its highest NCAA tournament seeding as a coach, being named a No. 3 seed in the Tournament.

2015: A.J. Hammons Honored

In 2015, senior center A.J. Hammons was a finalist for the Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Award for best center. Hammons was also selected as Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, succeeding Purdue teammate Raphael Davis.

2019: Purdue's NCAA Tournament Run in 2019

In 2019, Purdue, seeded 3rd, had a strong NCAA tournament run, defeating Old Dominion, Villanova, and Tennessee to reach the Elite Eight, where they lost a close game to Virginia after overtime.

2019: Elite Eight Return

In 2024, Purdue moved on to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2019

January 13, 2023: 400th Career Win

On January 13, 2023, Matt Painter became the fifth coach in Big Ten history to achieve 400 career wins.

2023: 2023 Season Expectations and Achievements

In 2023, Purdue had high expectations, returning Zach Edey and ranking #3 in the preseason AP poll. They were the first team to be ranked number 1 in the AP Poll 3 consecutive seasons. Purdue finished with 17 conference wins and went undefeated at home.

2024: Loss in the 2024 National Championship

In 2024, Purdue lost to UConn in the National Championship game, 75-60, despite Zach Edey's 37 points and 10 rebounds.

2024: 2024 NCAA Tournament Run to the Elite Eight

In 2024, Purdue secured a #1 seed for the second consecutive year and advanced to the Elite Eight, breaking the program record for most wins in a season with 31.