NOBLEVILLE — Former Purdue football coach Ryan Walters wasn’t known for winning here during his two-year tenure on the field, but he won in court this week.
After being hired as coaches in 2023, Ryan and Tara Walters planned to build a home near Jackson Highway and Tippecanoe County Road 400 West on 5 acres of land they purchased in February 2023 for $235,000, according to court documents and property records. The Walters began working with Steve Schrader Homes on the construction project.
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The Walters and Schrader feuded over the project, and Schrader did not build the house. However, he did file suit in June 2024 to recover money he believed the couple owed him, according to a court ruling in the case signed Tuesday.
The Journal & Courier left a voicemail for Schrader requesting comment. J&C also attempted to contact Washington defensive coordinator Walters.
“Coach Walters will not have any comment on this matter,” said Jeff Bechhold, Washington’s assistant athletic director for communications.
“Ryan (Walters) testified that he was shocked by the $4.5 million estimate because Schrader had always maintained that the home would not cost more than $3 million,” the judge wrote. Early issues were the cost of custom cabinets and the builder’s percentage fee, which the Walters believed were too high.
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“Schrader believed he was entitled to the entire management fees and profits, in excess of $377,000, even though he did not build the homes or incur expenses under the contract,” Hamilton Superior 2 Judge Jonathan M. Brown wrote.
The court held a two-day hearing on non-consecutive days in July. Brown released his ruling this week.
“The Walters seek compensation from Schrader for failure to return $12,133.44 they provided to Schrader for pre-construction issues that Schrader did not use,” Brown wrote.
See inside: Interested in the home of the former Purdue University football coach? This is what $4.9 million can buy you
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Proceedings begin: Former Purdue football coach Ryan Walters embroiled in lawsuit with homebuilder
“The record shows that the breakdown in relations was not the result of rebellion but the result of the two parties moving forward with different understandings,” Brown wrote in his ruling.
Brown ruled that the contract between Schrader and the Walters was invalid or unenforceable.
“The bottom line is that the Walters had expectations based on Schrader’s statements that he could build the home they wanted within a certain price range, but the bidding process proved that Schrader could not deliver,” Brown wrote. Details on the home included a basketball court, golf simulator and swimming pool.
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The ruling ordered Schrader Homes to return $6,560.79 to the Walterses within 30 days.
The house was built on the land but not by Schrader. The house and 5 acres were sold for $4.2 million on Aug. 28, 2025, according to county property records.
Please contact Ron Wilkins at rwilkins@jconline.com. Follow on Twitter: @RonWilkins2.
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This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: Ryan Walters, who coached Purdue football, wins housing lawsuit against builder