Well, it’s official. The Purdue Boilermakers have officially named UNLV head coach Barry Odom their new head coach.
Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski released a statement on the school’s website.
“This is an exciting day as we announce head coach Barry Odom as the new leader of the Purdue Boilermakers,” said Bobinski. “As both a leader and person, Coach Odom personifies the qualities that our football program and university value. During our interactions with Coach Odom, it became clear that he possesses the belief, tenacity and competitive drive necessary to return Purdue Football to the standard of excellence we all expect. He is a proven and experienced leader who has brought success to two different football programs and has made an impact on the lives of countless student-athletes and staff throughout his football career, including during his time as a standout defensive coordinator and position coach at Missouri, Memphis and Arkansas.
“We are thrilled to welcome Barry, his wife Tia, and children JT, Garyt and Anna, to the Boilermaker family. Our entire department is prepared to fully support Coach Odom in the transition to Purdue, as he meets with our current student-athletes, assembles his coaching staff and begins the process of building a successful football program.”
Odom also spoke about his new coaching gig.
“It is with tremendous honor and gratitude that I accept this opportunity to serve as the head football coach at Purdue University,” said Odom. “To coach at an institution like Purdue, in a community like Greater Lafayette and for a proud, tradition-rich and hungry football program like the Boilermakers is a dream come true for me and my family. I would like to thank Mike Bobinski for choosing me to lead Purdue Football, as well as extend my heartful thanks to University President Mung Chiang and Board Chair Mike Berghoff for their support. Their trust will be rewarded with a football program that will reflect the personality and excellence that Purdue is widely known for; character, intensity and a no-excuses winning attitude will be the foundation of what we will build at Purdue, and I can assure you it will be built to last. Most of all, my family cannot wait to become Boilermakers. We will get started in West Lafayette immediately.”
No word from Odom or UNLV on if he will be coaching in the LA Bowl which will be played in a few weeks.
