LAS VEGAS — Barry Odom recently celebrated a significant milestone in his coaching career, but his reflections took a somber turn as he recalled the day of his dismissal from Missouri exactly five years prior. After leading UNLV to a triumphant 38-14 victory over Nevada, securing a spot in the Mountain West championship game and potentially the College Football Playoff, Odom found himself overwhelmed with emotion. “I’ll never forget that moment,” he said, emphasizing the importance of learning from hardships and rising to create new achievements.
At 48 years old, Odom has successfully transformed the Rebels into a competitive force, emerging from a long period of underachievement. UNLV, now ranked 19th by the AP and 20th by the College Football Playoff (CFP), is set to clash with the 10th-ranked Boise State. With both teams being the highest-ranked in the CFP poll, the winner will secure a place in the playoffs as the representative from the Group of Five conferences.
Since Odom’s arrival two years ago, the Rebels have made considerable strides, marking consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in their history. With a record of 10-2, the team has achieved double-digit wins for only the third time in its history, a feat not accomplished since the era of Randall Cunningham, the program’s legendary quarterback, four decades ago.
The impressive turnaround has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the conference awards presented recently. Linebacker Jackson Woodard was recognized as the top defensive player, Ricky White III earned the special teams player title, and Caden Chittenden was named the best freshman. Although Odom attributes the team’s success to his players, coaching staff, and administration, it is clear that he has been instrumental in laying the groundwork for their achievements.
Woodard, who transferred from Arkansas alongside Odom, spoke warmly of his coach, stating, “His belief in me empowers me to believe in myself.” Woodard expressed how having such support has been lacking in his early career, making it an easy choice to follow Odom to Vegas. “Coming here, I didn’t even think about losing. I knew we were going to win,” he added confidently.
Despite the optimism surrounding UNLV, many past coaches have struggled to make an impact after recent hires at the school. Previous coaches now hold prominent positions elsewhere, demonstrating how difficult the landscape can be for coaching stability. Odom could have easily become another name on that list, yet he instead rejuvenated the program and ignited enthusiasm among fans. Notably, the Rebels attracted crowds exceeding 40,000 for two home games this season and achieved an average attendance record of 32,202—an impressive feat in a city dominated by professional sports teams.
“I had my concerns,” Odom remarked about the viability of a college football presence in Las Vegas, but his results have proven that there is significant support for the team. However, with success comes challenges; Odom’s rising reputation has put him on the radar of athletic directors across the nation seeking new leadership. This situation places pressure on UNLV’s Athletic Director, Erick Harper, to ensure Odom remains with the program.
As the Rebels prepare for their significant match-up with Boise State, they also face the prospect of advancing in the playoffs. Their season could have experienced setbacks following the departure of quarterback Matthew Sluka after just three games amid a name, image, and likeness disagreement. However, Odom’s steady leadership and focus on detail allowed Hajj-Malik Williams to step in confidently at quarterback, keeping the momentum alive.
“He emphasizes the importance of habits, even when they seem insignificant,” Williams noted. “When you concentrate on your habits, opportunities arise, just like the ones we have now.”