WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Josh Henson, a college coach for 25 years and the offensive coordinator at USC for the past three seasons, has been named the new offensive coordinator for Purdue football, head coach Barry Odom announced Wednesday (Dec. 18). In addition to running the Purdue offense, Henson will also serve as the Boilermakers’ tight ends coach.


“I have known Josh for almost 30 years and have always respected his approach to the game,” Odom said. “His experience is first class, his ability to develop a game plan and put players in a position to be successful is very impressive. He has demonstrated a great ability to identify, recruit and develop players at all positions. He will be able to create an offense that is attacking in every way. I’m excited to have Josh leading our offense here!”


Henson has coached in the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12 and Pac-12 throughout his career. He also coached a national championship team and knew what it took to reach the pinnacle of college football. Henson has been a bowl-eligible team every season since 2016 and has only missed bowl eligibility twice since 2007. Over his career, Henson has coached 27 All-Conference selections, 19 NFL draft picks and three All-Americans.


Since 2016, Henson offenses have ranked in the top 10 nationally in offense six times (three in the top five), in passing efficiency five times (two in the top five), and in pass efficiency four times (three in the top five), and in passing efficiency five times (three in the top five). three times in the goal rankings (all in the top 5).


During his time at USC, the Trojans were among the best in the country over the last three seasons: second in passing yards (12,525), third in passing touchdowns (105) and fourth in points (1,480). His 2024 offense led the Big Ten in passing and ranked 10th nationally averaging 291.7 yards per game through the air. USC averaged 440.4 yards of total offense per game this season, cracking the top three in the Big Ten and the top 25 in the country.


In addition to his duties as offensive coordinator, Henson coached the offensive line during his time with the Trojans. Emmanuel Pregnon (Second Team), Jonah Monheim (Third Team) and Elijah Paige (Honorable Mentioned) earned All-Big Ten honors this season. In 2023, Henson’s offensive line was part of an offense that ranked 3rd nationally in offensive points (41.8) and 10th nationally in total offense (467.6). The unit’s protection allowed quarterback Caleb Williams, the first overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, to finish among the top 10 in the country in eight different statistical categories. USC won the Holiday Bowl against No. 16 Louisville to close out the season, while Henson helped prepare backup quarterback Miller Moss for the role of leading the Trojan offense in the bowl game.


Henson led one of the best offensive line units in the country in 2022. The Trojan offensive line was a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award and was instrumental in protecting Williams and enabling him to have a record-setting season. Linemen Andrew Vorehees and Brett Neilon were both named First Team All-Americans, while Vorhees was the Morris Trophy offensive receiver and was selected to the All-Pac-12 First Team. USC earned a trip to the Cotton Bowl to conclude the 2022 season.


Before coming to USC, Henson spent three seasons (2019-21) as the offensive line coach at Texas A&M. Guard Kenyon Green was a two-time First Team All-American (2020-2021), center Bryce Foster and offensive tackle Reuben Fatheree II earned First Team Freshman All-America honors and A&M ranked 22nd nationally in tackles for loss allowed . In 2020, Henson’s offensive line was a finalist for the Joe Moore Award as the Aggies ranked in the top five nationally in fewest number of sacks and TFL allowed and became the first team in 10 years to lead the SEC in fewest number of sacks allowed and led tackles. loss allowed and yards per carry. Texas A&M secured berths in the 2019 Texas Bowl, 2021 Orange Bowl and 2021 Gator Bowl during Henson’s tenure in College Station.


Previously, Henson returned to his alma mater, Oklahoma State, for three seasons (2016-18). He spent 2016 as an offensive analyst and then coached the offensive line in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 Cowboys led the nation in passing offense, ranked second in total offense and first downs, third in passing efficiency, and fourth in offensive rating, while becoming the first offense in Big 12 history with a 4,000-yard passer, two 1,000-yard receivers and a 1,000-yard rusher. In 2018, Oklahoma State ranked in the national top 15 in scoring offense, total offense, passing offense and first downs. The Cowboys played in the 2016 Alamo Bowl, 2017 Camping World Bowl and 2018 Liberty Bowl during Henson’s return to Stillwater.


Henson spent seven years (2009-15) at Missouri, where he coached alongside Odom for three seasons, the first four (2009-12) as an assistant offensive line coach and the last three (2013-15) as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. Four of his offensive linemen were NFL draftees. The Tigers won consecutive SEC East titles in 2013 and 2014. Missouri appeared in five bowls during his time: the 2009 Texas Bowl, the 2010 Insight Bowl, the 2011 Independence Bowl, the 2014 Cotton Bowl and the 2015 Citrus Bowl.


Henson was LSU’s tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for four seasons (2005–2008), including on the Tigers’ 2007 national championship team. He helped put together top-10 recruiting classes in 2006 and 2007 as ranked by Rivals.com was named one of college football’s top 25 recruiters. LSU played in the 2005 Peach Bowl, 2007 Sugar Bowl, 2008 BCS National Championship Game and 2008 Chick-Fil-A Bowl while Henson was sidelined at the Bayou.


In 1999, he worked as a graduate assistant at Oklahoma State University and then served as the Cowboys’ tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator for four years (2001-2004).


Henson began his coaching career as an assistant at Kingfisher (Okla.) High in 1998 and helped lead the team to the state semifinals.


As a player, Henson started 37 games on Oklahoma State’s offense during his career (1993-97) and earned All-Big 12 Second Team honors as a senior. He received his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Oklahoma State in 1998.