Report: Brian Odom leaving brother’s staff for OU

According to several reports, including from PowerMizzou’s Gabe DeArmond and Dave Matter of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Missouri linebackers coach Brian Odom will leave his brother Barry’s staff for the same position at the University of Oklahoma.

Rumors had been swirling for the past few weeks that Brian Odom was connected to the OU position under new defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. Differing reports suggested Odom may turn down Grinch’s offer, but today’s news shows something changed.

While the initial reaction may be to despair — Odom has overseen the development of stalwarts like Terez Hall and Cale Garrett — this isn’t necessarily a bad thing for Missouri. When blue-blood programs like OU are poaching your position coaches, it means the head coach is doing something right when it comes to filling out his staff. It makes the job more attractive for potential candidates and can be indicative of a program trending in the right direction.

Still, it’s hard to see a coach go, especially one with such personal ties to the program. While the defense has been a weak point during Barry Odom’s tenure, the linebackers have been a steady and productive group.

It also has to be hard for young players whom Odom recruited to Missouri. The Tigers signed two linebackers (Devin Nicholson and Jamie Pettway) in the early signing period, and it’s probably a shock to them that the coach they had the most contact with is now gone. (Editor’s note: Pretty cool that coaches can come and go as they please and players get saddled with a bunch of red tape, huh?)

Best of luck to coach Odom as he prepares for his new position in Norman! Barry Odom will now have one more spot to fill as he gets his program ready for spring ball.