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CHICAGO -- DePaul has hired Clemson's Oliver Purnell as its coach, hoping he can revive a once-proud program that has struggled in recent years.

He replaces Tracy Webster, who took over on an interim basis after Jerry Wainwright was fired in mid-season.

Clemson's athletic director says he was shocked to learn that Purnell had chosen to leave the school.

Terry Don Phillips said on Tuesday he was proud of Purnell's tenure at Clemson but was surprised to learn the coach wanted to leave.

“Oliver did things the right way, he never cut corners and he  was professional in every undertaking.   The interest in our program from a regional and national standpoint has reached previously unattainable heights.  That was apparent when ESPN College Gameday came to our campus this year," Phillips says.

Purnell told reporters in Chicago Tuesday that he looks forward to building DePaul's struggling program.

Purnell has a 394-279 record in 22 seasons as a head coach, including 138-88 mark in seven seasons with Clemson while leading the Tigers to the NCAA tournament the past three years. But they've lost in the first round each time, making him 0-6 overall in NCAA games, including appearances with Dayton and Old Dominion. He also coached Radford.

Assistant coach Ron Bradley will serve as interim head coach while the school conducts a national search for Purnell's replacement.

(The Associated Press contributed to this story.)