Barry Odom Named Head Football Coach at Mizzou

Missouri defensive coordinator Barry Odom has been named Gary Pinkel’s successor as head coach. This move comes as no surprise, as Odom was tapped as the frontrunner upon Pinkel announcing his retirement last month. Neither does the timing: Odom was being considered for the Memphis head coaching job after Justin Fuente was hired away by Virginia Tech.

Odom spent one year as Missouri’s defensive coordinator. Before returning to his alma mater, Odom spent three years in Memphis as Fuente’s defensive coordinator, which were directly preceded by a nine-year stint working at Mizzou. During that time, he worked as a graduate assistant, recruiting director, and a safeties coach. He also spent time working as an administrator in Mizzou’s athletic department. The move to hire him serves to preserve one of the top defenses in the nation.

Odom played linebacker at Missouri from 1996-99, after which point he became a high school coach. From 2001-2002 he coached Rock Bridge High School in Columbia before returning to Missouri as an assistant.

Odom will be the 23rd head coach in 115-year history of Mizzou football.

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Check out our Mizzou page for more info, especially as Odom begins to assemble his coaching staff.