Arkansas defensive coordinator Barry Odom waiting on 'the right spot' to become a head coach again

There are a handful of storylines surrounding Arkansas versus Missouri. One of the subtle ones is that of former Missouri head coach and school alum Barry Odom. Odom is currently a part of Sam Pittman’s coaching staff as the Razorbacks’ associate head coach and defensive coordinator. During the broadcast, on Missouri’s opening drive of the second half, it was revealed that Arkansas came close to losing their defensive coordinator.

The crew at CBS Sports calling the game went over their conversation with Odom, indicating that he is still very much interested in being a head coach; it will just take the right situation for him.

“This was an important game; each time he plays Missouri, to come back and coaches against them. He told us, he said: listen, I’m going to coach again (as a head coach) at some point; it’s just going to be whether it’s the right spot,” said CBS broadcaster Tom McCarthy.

“He will get his chance,” said Rick Neuheisel. “I’m told he was interviewed this year for a spot. Listen, he bleeds for Missouri, but he’s anxious for the kids that he recruited, including Brady Cook, to graduate, so he doesn’t have this conflict each and every year.”

Odom played linebacker at Missouri from 1996 to 1999. Four years after graduating, he would become the Tigers’ administrative graduate assistant, director of football recruiting, and director of football operations from 2003 to 2006. It was in the 2016 season that he took over the helm of the program, becoming their head coach. Odom spent Four Seasons as Missouri’s head coach before he and the school parted ways in 2019.

While he may still have love for his alma mater and the place where he was once a head coach, Odom is putting all that aside on Saturday to ensure that the Razorbacks come out of this game victorious. And with an Arkansas victory, he will significantly cripple his former team’s chances at the college football postseason and their ability to earn a bowl bid.

As for his opportunities at being a head coach, it appears to still be firmly on his mind. But Arkansas fans don’t have to worry about that until this off-season. For now, he and the team’s focus is on defeating Missouri and earning a victory and their ball game to close out their 2022 season.