A familiar face in the Purdue Basketball family enters his ninth season on the coaching staff as P.J. Thompson has been elevated to the program's associate head coach
Thompson has taken control of the Purdue offense, leading the Boilermakers to a top-seven offense in each of his three years as the offensive coordinator. During the 2025-26 season, Purdue led the country in offensive efficiency, setting an efficiency record on KenPom.com. Two years ago, the Boilermakers ranked No. 7 nationally in offensive efficiency, while ranking No. 4 during the 2023-24 season.
The Boilermakers posted a 30-9 record in 2025-26, securing the program's first preseason No. 1 ranking in school history. Purdue would go on to reach the Elite Eight, fueled by Thompson's offense which led the country in offensive efficiency.
The Boilermakers had a wealth of weapons, boasting a potent inside-outside game as four players scored over 400 points in a season for only the fifth time ever (second time under Thompson's offense). Purdue made 359, 3-pointers, the second most in a season in school history and ranked in the top 15 in both field goal percentage and 3-point percentage. In addition, Purdue set an NCAA record with a 2.19 assist-to-turnover ratio.
A developer of guards, one of Thompson's top pupils, Braden Smith, became the NCAA's all-time leader in assists in the NCAA Tournament win over Queens (N.C.), and finished his career with 1,932 points, 1,103 assists and 673 rebounds, the only player in NCAA history with 1,500 points, 1,000 assists and 500 rebounds.
Fletcher Loyer, a four-year starter, finished 11th on Purdue's career scoring list with 1,829 points and became the school's all-time leader in 3-point field goals made with 309.
In 2024-25, Thompson’s tutelage earned Purdue its first Cousy Award winner (nation’s top point guard) as Braden Smith won the award after a record-setting season becoming only the second player in NCAA history with 550 points, 300 assists and 150 rebounds (Murray State’s Ja Morant) in a single season. Smith was named a consensus first-team All-American and Big Ten Player of the Year.
Purdue reached the Sweet 16 while posting a 24-12 record.
In 2023-24, running the keys to the high-powered Boilermaker offense as the nation’s youngest offensive coordinator, Thompson was a key factor in Purdue’s offensive resurgence, reaching the National Championship game. Thompson’s offense averaged 82.3 points per game, Purdue’s highest average in 26 years. The Boilermakers ranked fourth nationally in offensive efficiency, second nationally in 3-point percentage and 15th in scoring offense, while setting school records in points scored, assists and assist / turnover ratio. Purdue had four players with at least 50 made 3-pointers for the second time in school history (2017-18), and tied for the most in the country. Thompson was also instrumental in the continued development of Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer. Smith set a Big Ten record with 292 assists while being named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, while Loyer increased his 3-point percentage almost 100 points to become one of the nation’s top shooters.
Four years ago, Thompson was instrumental in the development of freshman guards Braden Smith and Fletcher Loyer, a pair that helped Purdue to a 29-6 overall record, the Big Ten regular-season and tournament championship, a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and a No. 1 national ranking for the second straight year. Smith was named to the Big Ten’s All-Freshman Team, while Loyer won three Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors.
During Thompson’s first year at Purdue, the Boilermakers reached the No. 1 ranking for the first time in school history, posted a 29-8 overall record and reached the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in the last five tournaments. Thompson’s was critical in the development of sophomores Jaden Ivey and Zach Edey as both were named all-Big Ten and received All-American mentions. Ivey was selected No. 5 in the 2022 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons, while Edey will return for his junior season as a preseason national Player of the Year candidate.
Thompson was instrumental in the development of Purdue’s young guards six years ago, serving as a mentor to the young guards. The Boilermakers posted an 18-10 overall record with a 13-6 Big Ten record while earning a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, thanks to strong play from its young backcourt.
Thompson returned to the Boilermaker as a graduate assistant after playing professionally in Netherlands during the 2018-19 season.
Off the court, Thompson has become a renowned recruiter, helping the Boilermakers to top-20 classes in each of the last three years. The 2026 signing class consists of just two players, but is considered one of the top-10 classes in the country.
He was a three-year starter at Purdue and currently ranks second in career assist / turnover ratio (2.94), is 10th in career 3-point percentage (.404) and 15th in career 3-pointers made (161) at Purdue. He appeared in 137 games, the eighth most in school history and helped Purdue to a 104-37 record and the 2017 Big Ten Championship during his time with the Boilermakers.