We figured Purdue would announce its new coaching staff eventually, at least before national signing day.
The wait is over, at least partially over, as Purdue on Friday officially revealed six new assistant coaches for Darrell Hazell's staff.
Most of these names already have been out there, but the confirmed Boilers assistants are:
Greg Hudson, defensive coordinator
Jim Bollman, offensive line
Marcus Freeman, linebackers
Jon Heacock, cornerbacks
Kevin Sherman, wide receivers
Jafar Williams, running backs
Hazell also named Doug Davis as the football team's head strength and conditioning coach, and Tommy Cook as the team's supervisor of football operations.
Freeman, Heacock and Williams all served on Hazell's staff at Kent State last season, as did both Davis and Cook. Both Freeman and Williams will occupy the same positions they had with the Golden Flashes, while Heacock had served as Kent State's defensive coordinator in addition to coaching corners. Hudson instead will lead the defense after serving as Florida State's linebackers coach the past three seasons. He has previous defensive coordinator experience at both East Carolina and at Minnesota under former Gophers coach Glen Mason from 2000-2004.
Ohio State fans will recognize several names on the list. Freeman starred at linebacker for the Buckeyes while Hazell served as an assistant there. Hazell, the Buckeyes' wide receivers coach from 2004-2010, worked under Bollman while Bollman served as Ohio State's offensive coordinator (and line coach) from 2001-2011. Heacock's older brother Jim served as Ohio State's defensive coordinator during Hazell's tenure. Jon Heacock served as Indiana's defensive coordinator from 1997-99.
Bollman spent the 2012 season with Boston College, while Sherman comes to Purdue from Virginia Tech, where he coached wide receivers for the past seven seasons.
Hazell in a news release called Freeman "perhaps the top up-and-coming coach in the profession." Hazell also praised Williams, Sherman and Heacock for their recruiting efforts.
All six coaches have been recruiting for Purdue.
Hazell's final three hires will be offensive coordinator/quarterbacks, defensive line and tight ends. The tight ends coach also likely will serve as the team's recruiting coordinator and oversee the special teams units. It's also possible that Hudson coaches the Boilers' safeties.
The big addition will be offensive coordinator, and it's interesting to see where Hazell turns. Hazell said Friday that he'll have input on the offensive play calls.