Head coach Barry Odom of the UNLV Rebels
In a move that signals a fresh start for a program coming off a dismal 1-11 season, Purdue University has hired Barry Odom as its next head football coach, according to a report from Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger. The news comes just one week after Purdue parted ways with Ryan Walters, who was let go after just two seasons. Odom, who spent the last two years at UNLV, brings a wealth of coaching experience and a proven track record of success to West Lafayette.
Odom’s Success at UNLV: Building a Winning Culture
Barry Odom’s coaching career has seen a sharp upward trajectory over the last few seasons, particularly during his tenure at UNLV. Over two seasons, he led the Rebels to a 19-8 record, including an impressive 12-3 mark in Mountain West play. This year, Odom’s squad finished with a 10-3 record and earned a spot in the Mountain West Championship Game, where they battled Boise State in a hard-fought contest, ultimately losing 21-7.
Odom’s first season at UNLV was equally impressive, as he guided the Rebels to a 9-5 finish, a significant improvement for a program that had been largely underperforming in recent years. His success at UNLV has not gone unnoticed, with Purdue now bringing him on board to try and replicate that success in the Big Ten.
Odom’s Experience at Missouri: A Mixed Bag in the SEC
Before his success at UNLV, Odom had a four-year stint as the head coach at the University of Missouri from 2016 to 2019. While his overall record at Missouri stood at 25-25, including a 13-19 mark in SEC play, Odom was able to show flashes of success in the tough SEC environment.
Though his time in Missouri didn’t yield major breakthroughs, Odom’s leadership was often marked by his ability to keep the Tigers competitive in one of the most challenging conferences in college football. In the hyper-competitive SEC, Odom’s 2017 squad finished 7-6, including a win in the Liberty Bowl, which was a solid result considering the tough competition.
A Strong Defensive Background
Odom’s coaching expertise lies primarily on the defensive side of the ball. After beginning his coaching career as a safeties coach at Missouri from 2009 to 2011, Odom quickly made a name for himself as one of the top defensive minds in college football. His next move took him to Memphis, where he served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2012 to 2014. During his time at Memphis, Odom helped transform the Tigers’ defense into one of the top units in the American Athletic Conference.
His defensive prowess, particularly his work with linebackers and secondary players, will be key to rebuilding Purdue’s defense, which struggled in 2024 and played a large part in the team’s disastrous 1-11 record. Odom’s defensive background will allow him to put a premium on solid defensive play, which has often been a recipe for success in the Big Ten.
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The Task Ahead at Purdue
Purdue’s decision to bring in Odom comes after a tumultuous season in which the Boilermakers finished with one of the worst records in program history at 1-11. The firing of Ryan Walters, who struggled in his two years at Purdue, created a vacancy that athletic director Mike Bobinski clearly hopes Odom can fill with a much-needed turnaround.
The expectations for Odom will be high from day one. Purdue is a program with a rich football history, and while the team has had its ups and downs, the Boilermakers are often viewed as a program with the potential to be competitive in the Big Ten. Odom’s first job will be to bring stability to a team that needs a strong leader to regain its footing.
A Coach with Vision
Purdue fans are hopeful that Odom’s defensive pedigree, combined with his ability to build a winning culture at UNLV, will translate into success in West Lafayette. The Boilermakers need someone who can develop talent, establish a tough, physical style of play, and recruit at a high level to compete with some of the best teams in the Big Ten.
Odom’s track record shows that he’s capable of leading a program to success, especially when given time and resources. The question now is whether he can achieve similar results at Purdue and restore the Boilermakers to respectability. With the right leadership, Odom could be the coach to help Purdue get back on track and compete with the powerhouses of the Big Ten.
As the deal is not yet finalized, all eyes will be on Odom in the coming weeks as he prepares to take on the challenge of revitalizing one of college football’s most storied programs. Fans are eager to see if Odom’s arrival in West Lafayette will spark the resurgence Purdue so desperately needs.
