CARMEL, Ind. � Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke gave football coach Danny Hope a mulligan before heading out to the golf course.
Burke said that Hope wouldn't be blamed for last year's 4-8 finish because the Boilermakers suffered a rash of injuries.
"You've got to take that year and kind of just wipe it out," Burke told The Associated Press on Monday as he prepared for the Youthlinks Indiana Charity Golf Tournament.
Burke doubts the team's bad luck will continue, so he expects more this year.
"I think this team ought to be back in postseason," he said. "That's the next step. I think last year, we would have been back."
Purdue entered last season with optimism. Robert Marve transferred from Miami and was expected to seamlessly fit into the school's quarterback tradition, but he was lost early in the season with an ACL injury. His backup, Rob Henry, played hurt in several games after cutting the index finger on his throwing hand, and the Boilermakers went all the way down to Sean Robinson, a true freshman who had expected to redshirt.
Purdue also was without top running back Ralph Bolden and top wide receiver Keith Smith during Big Ten play because of knee injuries. Smith led the Big Ten in receptions in 2009, but only played in two games last year. Bolden led the team in rushing in 2009 and was a quality receiver, but hurt his knee and never played in 2010.
Add injuries to receivers Justin Siller and O.J. Ross, and the offense changed dramatically.
"All of those skill guys were at the core of what's going to create the offense for you." Burke said.
Burke said the talent existed at the beginning of the season for the team to reach a bowl game. At one point, the Boilermakers were 4-2. Eventually, the lack of depth caught up.
"I just think we need to be healthy," Burke said. "I really believe last year, had we been relatively healthy, they would have had a much more productive season."
Last year, Hope agreed to a one-year contract extension through the 2014 season.
Burke said he thinks Hope has the program moving in the right direction. He believes a move away from junior college talent has helped.
"I think the recruiting is much better than people think, but they can't see it yet," Burke said. "I can see it on the practice field. The fans can't see it yet, but it's coming."
Burke said he understands why fans are on edge. The team went 5-7 in Hope's first year, then went 4-8 last year. But Burke remembers that basketball coach Matt Painter went 9-19 his first year, and he has been to the NCAA tournament five consecutive years since.
"They were all questioning that decision, asking is Matt Painter the right guy. I said, 'Yeah, he's on the right track, the recruits are coming.' I feel the same way about this one."
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