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Matt Painter Named 2026 John Wooden Legends of Coaching Award Recipient

The recognition highlights his sustained Big Ten success over two decades leading Purdue.

Overview

  • The Los Angeles Athletic Club announced on Oct. 14 that the Purdue coach will receive the Legends of Coaching award.
  • He will be honored on April 10 at the club in Los Angeles during Wooden Award Weekend, when the men’s and women’s Wooden Award winners are announced.
  • Painter becomes the second Purdue coach to earn the honor, following Gene Keady in 2007.
  • Since taking over in 2005, his teams have won five Big Ten regular-season titles, two conference tournament championships, and reached six Sweet 16s in the past eight years.
  • This 50th-anniversary honor bears the name of Purdue alumnus John Wooden, and Purdue guard Braden Smith is a candidate for the player award.