The Associated Press

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Gene Keady decided to return to Purdue for a 25th season out of loyalty.

Purdue announced late Friday that Keady declined an offer to coach at the University of San Francisco after interviewing for that position last week.

"This was a tough decision for me and my family," Keady said in a statement posted Saturday on Purdue's Web site. "In the end, it was about the Purdue basketball family and all that we've accomplished in West Lafayette. The past players and coaches were on my mind, and I didn't want to walk away from all of that."

Keady and his wife, Pat, are in San Antonio this weekend for the Final Four.

"The last few days have been tough for me and Pat," Keady said. "After talking about everything, we felt it came down to our loyalty to Purdue."

Guard Brandon McKnight, one of two seniors on next season's team, said the last week was difficult because team members heard and read predictions of what Keady would do.

"I think we're all glad it's over," McKnight said. "Coach is Purdue basketball, and he is the coach we all came to Purdue to play for."

Keady has one year left on his contract at Purdue. Athletic director Morgan Burke has not offered Keady a contract extension but said he couldn't be happier that Keady was returning.

"Gene's name is on the court in Mackey Arena, it is synonymous with Purdue basketball," Burke said.

Purdue, ranked as high as 16th this season after beating Duke in the Great Alaska Shootout, got off to a 4-1 start in the Big Ten. But the Boilermakers stumbled down the stretch.

Purdue lost to Notre Dame in the first round of the NIT, and finished 17-14. The Boilermakers missed the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years.

GILLEN: One day after being told he would keep his job, Virginia coach Pete Gillen said he will evaluate the entire program.

"It's a business," Gillen said from San Antonio, adding that athletic director Craig Littlepage did not require Gillen to fire any assistants.

"No one put a gun to my head and said, 'You have to make changes,' " Gillen said.

Under Gillen, Virginia has gone 104-78 in six seasons but has failed to make it to the NCAA Tournament since 2001. This season, the Cavaliers beat George Washington 79-66 in the first round of the NIT, then lost 73-63 at Villanova. Virginia finished 18-13.

Gillen - a former Xavier University coach - said his team needs to improve its quickness and talent, which may mean including incoming freshmen in the rotation.