Reports: Kent State's Hazell to be named Purdue football coach

• Hazell to replace Hope at Purdue, according to reports
• Hazell is 16-9 in the past two seasons with the Golden Flashes
• ESPN reports Hazell to meet with his Kent State players Wednesday morning

Kent State's Darrell Hazell is expected to be named Purdue's new football coach, according to multiple reports Tuesday night.

CBSSportsline.com, www.espn.com and the Akron Beacon Journal all reported the 48-year old Hazell will replace Danny Hope, who was fired after four seasons. Hazell has spent the last two seasons with the Golden Flashes, compiling a 16-9 record.

Purdue officials could not be reached Tuesday night to confirm Hazell's hiring. ESPN reported that Hazell will meet with his Kent State players on Wednesday morning.

Hazell moved to the top of athletic director Morgan Burke's list after Cincinnati's Butch Jones decided to stay with the school Tuesday. Jones interviewed on Purdue's campus Sunday, and flew to Colorado to speak with school officials about its opening.

On Monday, Burke and a team of Purdue athletic administrators flew to Ohio to meet with Hazell on Monday. Senior associate athletic director Nancy Cross, associate athletic director Tom Reiter and assistant athletic director Calvin Williams accompanied Burke on the trip.

Carmin also writes for The Indianapolis Star