UNLV hires Barry Odom as next head football coach

UNLV announced on Tuesday evening the hiring of Arkansas AHC/DC Barry Odom as the Rebs’ new head football coach. Odom has been with the Razorbacks for the last three years and before that spent four seasons as the head coach at Missouri.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Barry Odom and his family to UNLV,” AD Erick Harper said in a statement. “We had a tremendous amount of interest in this head coaching position and Coach Odom checked every box, including having experience successfully leading a program at the highest level of this sport. He is unanimously well-respected around the country and is the right person at the right time for the Rebels as this program, this department and this university continue to ascend as part of the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World here in Las Vegas.”

Odom was 25-25 (13-19) during his tenure at Missouri, but consistently improved a Tigers’ defensive unit that ranked last in the SEC in his first year and third in the SEC by his fourth. He is a former Mizzou Tiger himself, having played linebacker there from 1996-99, and was on the coaching staff for ten years before getting the head coaching gig in 2016. He also spent three seasons as the DC at Memphis in between stints at his alma mater.

“My family and I would like to thank President Whitfield, Athletics Director Erick Harper and the administrative team for the opportunity to be the head football coach of  the UNLV Rebels,” said Odom. “I’m honored and excited to begin developing a relationship with our student-athletes and provide them a great foundation for success in every area of their lives. I believe in the vision and plan that President Whitfield and Mr. Harper have for the UNLV Athletics Department. That alignment piece is critical and together we will achieve great success. This city is founded on opportunity and we look forward to this opportunity to lead this program and engage with this amazing community and Rebels everywhere.”

UNLV parted ways with former head coach Marcus Arroyo last month after three seasons and a 7-23 record. The Rebels last went bowling in 2013 and have not won a bowl game since 2000.

credit to UNLV Athletics for the image