Former Mizzou coach Barry Odom breaks silence, thanks players, coaches and Tiger fans
Former Missouri Tigers coach Barry Odom broke his silence Wednesday, thanking Mizzou fans, his players and staff on Twitter after a four-year stint as head football coach.
It was Odom’s first public comment since he was fired Saturday by Mizzou atheltic director Jim Sterk. After a collapse in the 2019 season — that included a five game losing streak — Sterk dismissed Odom.
“It has been such an honor to be the Head Football Coach at The University of Missouri and live in this community for the past 20 years,” Odom wrote on Twitter. “From the first day that I was recruited by Coach Larry Smith and stepped on campus as a student-athlete, this place became HOME. This was never just a job to me!
“I’m thankful for Coach Gary Pinkel giving me an opportunity in college coaching...I am so thankful for all of my players over the years, you guys have changed my life for the better. Thanks to my staff, you all gave Mizzou your best and our kids the support and platform to be successful. I wish the Mizzou Program all the best moving forward.”
In Odom’s final days as head coach, he was beloved by his players and staff. When news broke he was dismissed, there was a backlash from those in and around the program.
Odom spent more than half his life at Columbia. He was a former Mizzou linebacker, playing from 1996-99. Before taking over the football program, he was former coach Gary Pinkel’s defensive coordinator for the 2015 season. His stint at Mizzou included working as safeties coach and director of football operations on Pinkel’s staff. Odom also spent three years at Memphis as defensive coordinator from 2012-14.
A number of factors went into Odom’s firing. Sterk at a Saturday news conference pointed out the decline in attendance, and how Mizzou had “tremendous momentum” going into 2019, only for it all to bog down during the losing skid.
Odom, 43, compiled a 25-25 record at Mizzou, taking over for Pinkel before the 2016 season. Historically, Odom matched up well with his predecessors through the opening four years: only Warren Powers had more wins through their first four years than Odom.
But the pressures of winning and the SEC ultimately proved to be too much. All eyes are on Sterk now as he looks to find Odom’s replacement as Mizzou football coach.