WEST LAFAYETTE – Newly hired Purdue football coach Barry Odom had a strong reputation among top high school football coaches in Indiana long before being paid to revive the Boilermakers beleaguered program.
Odom previously led UNLV and invited Brownsburg coach John Hart, who came with his staff to Las Vegas on March 15 earlier this year.
Hart’s intention was to study the Go-Go offense created by Odom’s offensive coordinator Brennan Marion.
“One thing I know is his practices will be very intense,” Hart recalled when watching UNLV this past spring. “The players seem to love the staff and most importantly love the game of football. And they play with a sense of urgency.”
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What impressed Hart the most however, was his attention to detail in practice. Which included the way guests presented themselves as well.
“A couple of my assistant coaches were in Purdue basketball gear because we were fans and it was during March Madness,” Hart said. “And Odom asked them kindly to take the gear off and put on UNLV attire. And what that says about him is the fact that he doesn’t miss anything. Even things like visiting coaches coming onto your campus. There’s a standard.”
Odom would bring respect back to UNLV which hadn’t been to a bowl game since 2013 before getting hired in 2023.
Hart compared the intensity of Odom’s practices to the ones he’s experienced when attending 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 whether that was with clock management, or teaching technique. Those guys are the ones who make the biggest impact in programs. Purdue made a great hire.”
Pendleton Heights coach Jed Richman learned about Odom indirectly when his former player Brandon Lee was recruited to play at Missouri. Odom was the Tigers head coach from 2016-2019.
Lee played for Missouri from 2015-2018 and under Odom for three seasons. Lee generated 124 tackles including 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, eight pass deflections and an interception during his tenure.
“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 at Missouri. 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 had four players on its 2024 roster including linebacker Yanni Karlaftis who recently entered the transfer portal. The former Red Devils on Purdue’s roster also included defensive lineman Mo Omonode, quarterback Carson Kitchel and linebacker Cooper Kitchel. Central Catholic pass rusher Albert Schwartz was among the other players from the Lafayette representing Purdue in 2024.
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“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,” West Lafayette coach Shane 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.”
As for Odom, he know he finds himself rebooting another program which is looking to establish some form of competitive consistency.
When Purdue was in the process of hiring a new coach, the first person I thought of at the time was Odom,” Hart said.
Now it’ll be Odom’s turn to join Hart and his coaching staff, sporting the black and gold in a quest for relevancy.
Ethan Hanson is the sports reporter for the Journal & Courier in Lafayette. He can be reached atehanson@jconline.com, on Twitter at EthanAHanson and Instagram at ethan_a_hanson.
