Missouri Football: ‘Bowl or bust’ for head coach Barry Odom
Missouri failed to make a bowl appearance under first-year head coach Barry Odom, which made Athletic Director Jim Sterk play an interesting card.
Usually, there’s a certain amount of leeway given a coach to turn a program around, or to introduce a new system. More likely than not, the same consideration is given to Mizzou football coach Barry Odom.
What is interesting, however, is that recently, Athletic Director Jim Sterk set the bar for Odom, when he stated that the coach, entering his second season, should reach the six win threshold needed for bowl eligibility this fall.
It’s a goal that everyone can get onboard with, yes, but to hear it come from Sterk first, and not from Odom, was slightly disconcerting.
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"I think to get to six wins is progress. I think that’s at a minimum of what you would want, what our alums want. As a team, they’ll be disappointed with that, but I think that’s moving forward – being bowl eligible, go to a great bowl and get back into that. I think that’s really important for us."
Of course, it’s also a message that is open to limitless interpretations, and while it may not put a number Odom’s days as head coach, it’s surprising to see it spoken to the media – these discussions are usually kept behind closed doors.
Given Missouri’s schedule of opponents this season, it feels like at least six games are winnable for the Tigers.
In reality, upward of eight games seem like they could play in Mizzou’s favor, but that is taking into account that all goes well enough throughout the season and in those games.
If Sterk’s statement was meant as a barometer for Odom’s future, then it certainly draws a line in the sand that Odom needs to get the Tigers to, or he might be looking for a new employer.
At the same time, this season will be Odom’s second full season as the head coach, and I would be surprised if Sterk doesn’t give Odom at least three seasons to build a winning program, and bring in recruits that will suit his game plan.
The quote seems rather telling, though. Sterk spearheaded the multi-million dollar end zone construction project, and the football team is lacking success in recruiting, and Alumni are getting anxious to see better production.
Certainly, that misfortune doesn’t fall squarely on Odom, but in order for recruiting to become successful, the Tigers must win games; after all, that’s the best way to protect his future.
What may have seemed like a shot across the bow, really seems to have been words of encouragement handed across by Sterk. After all, Odom took over a program that was going through an interesting time.
Next: Missouri can win the SEC East in 2017
Odom’s job is safe, for now. However, if the season doesn’t go as well as Sterk believes it should, his coaching seat may start warming up.