"Rob has been the architect and patriarch of Purdue women's soccer," said senior associate athletics director Ed Howat, who oversees the program. "He built the program from the ground up into one that was held in high regard in the Big Ten Conference and across the country. No one cares more about the success and welfare of student-athletes than Rob. It has been a pleasure working with Rob, and I know I speak for everyone associated with Purdue Athletics in thanking him for his loyal service and wishing him and his family all the best."
Klatte, who just completed his 17th season, has been the only head coach in program history. He posted a 175-141-32 record (.549 winning percentage), including a 71-78-17 Big Ten mark. Purdue finished 6-11-2 (2-10-1 Big Ten) in 2014.
The Boilermakers made the NCAA Tournament six times between 2002 and 2009, advancing to the Round of 16 in 2003. In 2007, the Boilermakers won a school-record 20 games and finished second in the Big Ten for the second time in three years. Two years later, Klatte made Big Ten history by becoming the first coach to lead one team to 10 straight seasons of 10 or more victories. He ranks fifth in Big Ten history for overall wins at one school and second in conference wins at one school. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2002 and 2007.
Klatte was hired in 1997, a full year before the Boilermakers' first game to build a team from scratch. Without a facility to show off for potential student-athletes or a history to revel about, Klatte hit the recruiting trail, selling only his excitement and passion for Boilermaker soccer.
Klatte coached three All-Americans - Annette Kent (2003), Parrissa Eyorokon (2007) and Kira Bilecky (2007) - as well as Academic All-American Shauna Stapleton (2007) and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Lauren Sesselmann.
The Boilermakers earned 167 Academic All-Big Ten honors under Klatte. In 2003, the year Purdue advanced to the NCAA Round of 16, a record 17 players were named academic all-conference. Eleven of 17 eligible student-athletes earned that recognition in 2009.
"I hope Rob will look back on his time at Purdue and recognize all that he accomplished," athletics director Morgan Burke said. "To start a program that didn't even have a field when he was hired and take it to the level he did speaks volumes about his work ethic, passion and knowledge of the game. I appreciate all that Rob did for our student-athletes and our department."
A national search will begin for Klatte's replacement. The contracts of assistant coaches Erin Otagaki-VanPaemel and Parrissa Eyorokon also will not be renewed. All three contracts run through Dec. 31, 2014.