Assistant coach to the men's basketball team Tracy Webster has accepted an assistant coaching position at Purdue University.
Webster said Wednesday that he was contacted two to three weeks ago by Gene Keady, head basketball coach at Purdue. Keady informed Webster on Monday that he wanted to give him the job.
"It's a great opportunity for me and my family," Webster said. "I do believe I can take what I learned here at Ball State up there and be successful."
Webster departs from Ball State after serving on the coaching staff for three years.
Webster said he learned a lot in his time under Ball State head coach Tim Buckley.
"To be a good coach you have to be well balanced," Webster said. "You can't just worry about recruiting, or Xs and Os, you have to get to know the players.
"Coaching at Ball State was a great opportunity. I got to learn the ins and outs of how a program should be run."
Buckley said Tuesday that Webster will be missed.
"He's like a younger brother to me and I will miss him dearly," Buckley said.
He said moving up is a good move on Webster's part.
"It's one of those things where there are progressions in this business. Sometimes you have to take a move up. If you are Big Ten assistant then you have a chance at coaching in a conference like the MAC."
Each of his assistant coaches plays a role in recruiting but Webster played a role in landing nearly every player that is currently on the team, Buckley said.
In a written statement, Purdue head coach Gene Keady seemed pleased with landing the Ball State assistant.
"We set out to find a guy who could recruit, knows the Big Ten and could fit in with our academic standards," Keady said. "I know we've found that guy in Tracy Webster. Plus, he really understands how to play the game and what it takes to be successful. With all those attributes, I don't think we can go wrong with him."
Webster is familiar with the Big Ten, having played collegiate basketball at Wisconsin. He graduated in 1995 after playing three seasons for the Badgers. He finished his playing career by setting the school record for assists at 501. He is also 10th all time in points scored (1,264) and second in steals (183).
Buckley said he hopes to choose a replacement soon as he and the rest of the coaching staff travel to different camps starting July 8.
Buckley said he has received several calls since Webster's announcement but didn't want to reveal any names.
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