Ball State women's volleyball coach Randy Litchfield is one of the three finalists for the same position at Purdue. Litchfield has interviewed for the position, and will visit the campus on Thursday.
Purdue asked BSU athletics director Bubba Cunningham last week for permission to talk with Litchfield about the opening, and Cunningham granted that permission.
"I think a highly-successful coach is very attractive when a position comes open," Cunningham said. "Certainly Randy fits that mold."
Litchfield, a 1984 Ball State graduate who played setter on the men's volleyball team, has been the women's head coach for 14 seasons, after two seasons as an assistant. He is the third Mid-American Conference coach to reach 300 wins, having compiled a career record of 302-125. He has also been named MAC Coach of the Year five times, including in 2002.
Litchfield made clear that he did not apply for the position on his own, and that his team is aware of the developments.
"I have not looked to leave Ball State," he said. "They asked and were granted permission, and I was contacted. I've fielded phone calls in the past from other schools, but this is the first time I've actually been considered this far. I'm happy to make sure the truth is out, so it's not speculation.
"I've been keeping players up to speed with every step. The more I see them, the more difficult the prospect of leaving is. On the other hand, it's an opportunity to consider looking at. I owe myself and family that much."
Litchfield said he was one of about 10 candidates that interviewed on the phone, and that Purdue invited the three finalists to visit.
"I'm not sure on the other two (candidates)," he said. "I don't want to speculate on that, nor do I have any idea on a time frame (about Purdue making a decision)."
Ball State volleyball has never had a losing season under Litchfield's direction. This past fall the Cardinals finished 25-8 (17-1 MAC) - their 11th straight 20-win season - and captured the MAC regular season and tournament championships for the seventh and sixth time, respectively. Ball State fell to Louisville in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
No matter what Purdue's timetable is, Litchfield said he will talk with his family about the situation.
"My family isn't going with me (on the visit), but a move of this magnitude would be family decision," he said. "there'd be some more stages to go through after Thursday.
"At this stage, it's not something I've talked a great deal about with anyone. I may have more details in next few days, but that time hasn't come yet. I can't talk with my wife about maybes and what ifs.
"Quite frankly, (Purdue's) one of the few universities outside of Ball State I would have interest in."
Although he said Purdue is intriguing because it has Big Ten resources, Litchfield believes Ball State's program is "in much better shape in terms of the success we're having." The Boilermakers finished 12-21 (2-18 Big Ten) in 2002 and were 44-79 in four seasons under Jeff Hulsmeyer.
Cunningham agreed that the BSU volleyball program is in a better state than Purdue's.
"Currently attendance and funding there isn't comparable to other Big Ten schools," he said. "I do believe our program is on a solid foundation.
"I don't want to speculate on him leaving, but the program is successful in large part due to him. The overall support in the school and Muncie community is second to none."
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