Purdue fires head coach Darrell Hazell

Purdue has fired head coach Darrell Hazell after three-plus seasons on the job, it confirmed Sunday.

Wide receivers coach Gerad Parker will take over as interim head coach.

Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinksi praised Hazell in a statement for his high character, but acknowledged the coach failed to turn the program's fortunes on the field.

"From the first time I met Darrell, I could tell he was a man of high character - a quality person who you would want leading a group of young men - but our inconsistent performance and inability to generate positive momentum thus far this season, along with the disappointing results of the past three seasons, made it clear to me that we needed to make a change," he said.

Hazell's dismissal was first reported by Nathan Baird of the Lafayette Journal and Courier.

The move comes a day after the hapless Boilermakers were blown out - again - this time by Iowa. Like most losses during Hazell's tenure, it featured a number of embarrassing, head-scratching moments.

Hazell departs West Lafayette with an overall record of 9-33, including a 3-3 mark this year. The three wins this season came against Eastern Kentucky, Nevada, and Illinois, while the losses took place at the hands of Cincinnati, Maryland, and Iowa.

Purdue hired Hazell ahead of the 2013 season, but the Boilermakers showed little progress under his watch. Hazell never won more than three games in a season at Purdue, and the school remains a laughingstock in the Big Ten.

The university will be forced to buy out the remaining two-plus years on Hazell's contract. He signed a six-year deal worth $12.75 million when he was hired.

On Saturday, Dan Wolken of USA TODAY Sports reported that Purdue has former LSU coach Les Miles on its radar. The extent of the school's interest in him, and the 67-year-old's interest in the school, is unknown.