Newly appointed Purdue football coach Barry Odom had already earned a sterling reputation among Indiana's top high school football coaches even before taking on the challenging task of revitalizing the Boilermakers' struggling program. His previous leadership at UNLV had drawn the attention of coaches like John Hart from Brownsburg, who brought his staff to Las Vegas in March. Hart was particularly impressed by Odom's intense practices and his meticulous attention to detail, not only on the field but also in how guests presented themselves. Odom's arrival at UNLV brought a much-needed sense of respect and a drive for success, having not been to a bowl game since 2013 before his hiring in 2023. His practices were compared to those of renowned coaches like Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer, with a clear pace, sense of urgency, and focus on details. Former Missouri player Brandon Lee, who played under Odom from 2015-2018 and generated impressive stats, spoke highly of his time there. Odom's leadership and defensive acumen were evident. In West Lafayette, four players are on the 2024 roster, including standout linebacker Yanni Karlaftis. Coach Lane Fry is excited to see what Purdue football will become with this new hire. Odom now embarks on a journey with his new coaching staff, aiming to bring relevance and competitive consistency to the program. Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette, reachable at ethanhanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.

Impressions from Brownsburg Coach John Hart

When John Hart watched UNLV practices this past spring, he was immediately struck by the intensity. "One thing I know is his practices will be very intense," he recalled. "The players seem to love the staff and most importantly love the game of football. And they play with a sense of urgency." What impressed him the most, however, was Odom's attention to detail in practice. Even small things like guests presenting themselves properly mattered. "A couple of my assistant coaches were in Purdue basketball gear because we were fans during March Madness, and Odom asked them kindly to take the gear off and put on UNLV attire. That shows his dedication to setting a standard. Whether it's clock management or teaching technique, those details make a big impact on a program."

Odom's Impact at UNLV

Odom brought a new level of respect back to UNLV. Before his hiring in 2023, the program had not been to a bowl game since 2013. His practices were intense and focused, creating a winning culture. Hart compared the intensity to that of sessions held at Alabama by former head coach Nick Saban. "I know this, whether we go to Saban's practice, Kalen DeBoer or IU's practices, the people who are coaches of impact are an impact in practice," Hart said. "You could tell there was a pace, sense of urgency and attention to details. Those guys are the ones who make the biggest impact in programs. Purdue made a great hire."

Former Player's Perspective

Jed Richman, coach at Pendleton Heights, learned about Odom indirectly when his former player Brandon Lee was recruited to play at Missouri. Lee played for Missouri from 2015-2018 and under Odom for three seasons, generating 124 tackles including 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight pass deflections and an interception. "I'm excited for Purdue," Richman said. "When talking with Brandon, he said he loved his time at Missouri. He was a leader there and always speaks positive of his experience. Brandon played linebacker for him, was a leader and Odom was a great defensive mind. He has a great pedigree. It's an exciting hire."

West Lafayette's Perspective

In West Lafayette, four players are on the 2024 Purdue roster, including linebacker Yanni Karlaftis. Former Red Devils on the roster also include defensive lineman Mo Omonode, quarterback Carson Kitchel and linebacker Cooper Kitchel. Central Catholic pass rusher Albert Schwartz is among the other players representing Purdue. Coach Lane Fry is excited to see what Purdue football will look like with this new hire. "I'm excited to see what Purdue football will look like given the fact we have a vested interest given the fact we are across the street from the program," Fry said. "I'm interested to see what kind of staff will go in there, plus retaining the staff they have now and the new faces that will come."