Tag: Brian Odom

North Texas to hire former USC assistant Brian Odom as new linebacker coach

Brian Odom, unlike Alex Grinch, has found a new landing spot.

North Texas is hiring USC defensive assistant coach Brian Odom as linebackers coach, the Denton Record-Chronicle’s Brett Vito reported. Odom served as the Trojans’ inside linebackers coach and associate head coach for defense this past season.

Odom spent time coaching linebackers at Oklahoma and Missouri before joining the staff at USC. He has ties to the region that date back to his days as a player. He started his college career at Oklahoma and spent two seasons with the Sooners as a running back from 2000 to 2001.

USC overhauled its defensive coaching staff this offseason after the departure of Alex Grinch late in the 2023 season. The Trojans brought in D’Anton Lynn from UCLA to help the defense, which ranked 10th in the Pac-12 in total defense with 432.8 yards allowed per game and 34.4 points allowed on average. Lynn whipped UCLA into shape in one season, bringing about dramatic improvements in the Bruins’ defense. USC is hoping for the same one-year transformation from its new coordinator, with Brian Odom no longer part of the program.

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New DC for Trojans won’t drastically alter how Ducks prepare for Saturday’s showdown

A lot of changes is happening on the USC defensive side of the ball, but Dan Lanning is determined to not let that change who Oregon is.

In with the good air, out with the bad air.

For USC, former defensive coordinator Alex Grinch was seen as the bad air and was unceremoniously let go after the Trojans lost to Washington 52-42. Many Trojans fans argue that this move should have occurred after the Cotton Bowl debacle where Tulane lit the USC defense up for 46 points in the narrow one-point upset. Ultimately, the DC was retained for another year by head coach Lincoln Riley, with the hopes that things would improve.

It didn’t get any better this season. Not even after giving up 41 to Colorado and Arizona each. Those turned out to be victories, but the signs were there. After losing three of four games, the evidence was too much for Riley not to do something.

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In with the good air, or replacements Shaun Nua and Brian Odom. It’s still a mystery how better the defense will be under these two coaches, but according to Oregon coach Dan Lanning, the Ducks will be prepared for any and everything.

“Coach Odom has actually called (defenses) before. The last time Oregon played against Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl,” Lanning said. “So I think there’ll be a lot of similarities to some of the stuff that they already do. I think that that group will probably have some new wrinkles that we potentially haven’t seen.”

For QB Bo Nix, there’s a lot of prep work that you can do ahead of the game. Ultimately, though, it will be hard to know exactly what is going to come until the ball is snapped.

“I think we probably won’t be able to see that until the game, so you’ve got to just go off what they’ve been doing,” Nix said. “They probably won’t change a whole lot because it’s a short week to prepare. I think they’ll go back through their arsenal and pick some of the schemes that they’ve had, and just go out there and play ball.”

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Lanning also stressed that it all comes down to some basic football: Win your individual matchups, trust your teammates, and keep true to who you are and what brought you here.

“But it all comes back to what football is all about: Tackling, blocking, breaking tackles, making catches,” Lanning said. “So all those things are going to hold true. And we have to play to our identity. Hopefully when people watch this team — on both sides of the ball — you see an identity. Our identity has to hold true regardless of what scheme we see against us.”

So far, that’s been a winning formula and that shouldn’t change now, no matter what is happening on the other sideline.

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3 Defensive players to watch for the Oklahoma Sooners in the Valero Alamo Bowl

It’s the season finale in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Here’s three key Sooners to watch on defense against the Oregon Ducks.

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It’s officially gameday for the Valero Alamo Bowl where Oklahoma puts a wrap on its 2021 season against the Oregon Ducks at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.

Oklahoma’s defense will be led by inside linebackers coach Brian Odom who is off to join Lincoln Riley and coach the same position at USC in 2022. Odom will be serving as a defensive play-caller for the first time in this game against the Ducks.

Odom knows the Sooners are set to face a talented Oregon team.

“I think that Oregon is going to be a tremendous challenge for us on the defensive side of the ball. I’ve always had a lot of great respect for the offense at Oregon and how they do things and how they’ve done it in the past. I faced them multiple years when I worked in the Pac-12 Conference. Obviously a tremendous amount of respect for the University of Oregon football team, and I know a lot of those coaches personally, and they all do a great job. We’ve got our work cut out for us on game day,” Odom said.

Four defensive starters opted out of this game against Oregon: linebacker Brian Asamoah, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto, defensive lineman Isaiah Thomas and defensive tackle Perrion Winfrey.

Let’s take a look at three players that will be key against the Ducks.

Senior linebacker DaShaun White

With Asamoah out of the equation, that opens the door for junior linebacker David Ugwoegbu and freshman linebacker Danny Stutsman to have larger roles. It also means that senior linebacker DaShaun White needs his best in what could be his final game with OU.

The North Richland Hills, Texas, product is third on the Sooners with 60 tackles on the season, including five tackles for loss.

As one of Oklahoma’s team leaders and a senior, White described what the last several weeks have been like with Riley leaving, interim head coach Bob Stoops stepping in and Brent Venables being named OU’s new head coach.

“I don’t know if any of the last few months having normal, but I would say for me it’s really just been about enjoying the moment, embracing all the opportunities I have with my teammates, the coaches. Just spending a lot of time with them on and off the field. It’s as simple as that to me.

“Just trying to make the best of every situation with this team, and we’ve got one last one to go after, and that’s the one we’re focused on, and honestly just can’t wait to be able to go out there and hit the field with these guys,” White said.

Up Next: Defensive Front Key to the Sooners Success

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What did interim defensive coordinator Brian Odom have to say in his Oklahoma return for the Alamo Bowl?

Interim defensive coordinator Brian Odom spoke with the media ahead of the Oklahoma Sooners matchup with the Oregon Ducks in the Alamo Bowl.

It was media day for the defensive side of the ball as the Oklahoma Sooners get set to take on the Oregon Ducks in the Valero Alamo Bowl. Coming back to the Sooners after taking a new gig with the USC Trojans after Lincoln Riley’s departure, interim defensive coordinator Brian Odom took to the podium to answer a bevy of questions about the return and what it has been like preparing for the bowl game.

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Oklahoma assistant coaches taking the ‘high road’ by returning for OU’s bowl game versus Oregon

Oklahoma’s DaShaun White and Reggie Grimes expressed gratitude that their assistant coaches are returning for the bowl game versus Oregon.

Lincoln Riley leaving Oklahoma for USC meant sweeping changes at OU. It’s led to an overhaul of the defensive coaching staff.

Of course, Brent Venables is Oklahoma’s new head coach, but Ted Roof, Miguel Chavis and Brandon Hall are also in as defensive coaches.

Roof is Oklahoma’s new defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, Chavis will coach defensive ends and Hall is set to coach safeties.

In the process, OU’s set of assistant coaches from this 2021 season were left to find other opportunities. Defensive line coach Calvin Thibodeaux is off to coach at SMU and linebackers coach Brian Odom and outside linebackers and defensive ends coach Jamar Cain are joining Riley at USC.

All three are returning to help Oklahoma finish its season in the Valero Alamo Bowl against Oregon on Dec. 29, though.

“I really appreciate Calvin Thibodeaux, Brian Odom and Jamar Cain came back to help our guys finish. They’ve been in the office working on game plan. They want to finish this with a win and help our players get an opportunity to win so appreciate that,” interim head coach Bob Stoops said.

Stoops announced last week that Odom would serve as Oklahoma’s defensive play-caller. It’s something that’s not lost on the players either.

Senior linebacker DaShaun White explained how much it meant to him to have Odom return against Oregon.

“Words couldn’t, you know, put it or I couldn’t even really express how much I appreciate him. Just him really taking the high road here and doing something that he really doesn’t have to do. I think that just speaks about his character and who he is as a person, which is something that we’ve all known here for a long time. Excited to be able to play for him. Thankful that he would step in and do this for us and just how selfless he is and how willing he is to take on such a big, big role for this school in a time of need. Like I said, I think it just really speaks out to who he is as a person. Really appreciative of coach Odom,” White said.

Sophomore defensive end Reggie Grimes echoed White’s thoughts on Cain, Odom and Thibodeaux choosing to return for the bowl game.

“Man, nothing but love. Those are the guys we started with, so I’d have no problem finishing with those guys. Coach Thib especially. He recruited me and I met coach Cain. He came here that January, but coach Thibs recruited me. So, to have him back and then to have coach Cain back the guy who’s been my position coach since I got here, and to kind of have one last ride with the coaching staff that we have, I think it’s really important, really special and really speaks to their characters,” Grimes said.

There’s been less turnover with the offensive coaching staff, though Cale Gundy will assume the offensive play-calling role in the bowl game against Oregon.

“That was a big thing. Having coach Murray, coach Finley, coach Bedenbaugh, coach Gundy staying. There’s a lot of interaction with those guys over my two years being here, especially coach Murray and coach Gundy,” sophomore wide receiver Marvin Mims said.

For now, it’s a conversation for another day, but Mims is excited with what new offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby will bring to the program next season.

“Having coach Lebby come I think it’s a huge plus for this program. Especially with his experience, his resume, the things he’s done at other colleges. I mean, it’s something that’s a huge positive. He’s also an alumni to this school, so that’s another positive for us as a program. I’ve talked to him a couple times. He’s a really cool guy. I love his personality. I love how he is, his character,” Mims said.

In the meantime, Oklahoma is appreciative that Cain, Odom and Thibodeaux decided to finish this season out by coaching against Oregon.

The Sooners kick off against the Ducks at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN on Dec. 29 in the program’s first appearance in the Valero Alamo Bowl.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.

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Final Thoughts on the Oklahoma Sooners Coaching Change

With Brent Venables staff coming together, here are some final thoughts on the Sooners coaching change that took place the last two weeks.

It’s been two weeks since the smoke’s cleared on the departure of the former Oklahoma Sooners head coach. Now a week into the Brent Venables tenure, we’re beginning to see a plan formulate as to what his coaching staff will look like. We’re also seeing a plan unfold on the recruiting trail as Venables and his staff shift their focus to talents in the southeast, namely in Florida.

It’s a new day in Norman as the long-lost son of Oklahoma Football returns to reignite a program that had been trending in the wrong direction since Lincoln Riley was named the head coach.

As we turn the page on one story and begin to write a new one, here are some final thoughts on the coaching change.

5 recruits Brent Venables’ can secure as he becomes Oklahoma’s next head coach

As he starts to settle in, who are the 5 recruits that Brent Venables and the current staff should focus on?

After an agonizing week filled with rumors, misinformation, smokescreens, de-commitments, and borderline scandals, the Oklahoma Sooners have found their man. The name is familiar in Oklahoma as Brent Venables takes the reigns as head coach of the Oklahoma Sooners. From 1999 to 2011, Venables coached at Oklahoma, where he served as associate head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach for the Sooners under legendary head coach Bob Stoops.

Stoops is currently serving as interim while things are sorted out for Venables and the rest of the potential new staff.

For Venables, the bit of mess he walked in isn’t catastrophic, but it’s worthy of note. They are less than two weeks away from the Early Signing Day, and their 2022 class is currently 17th on 247Sports team rankings after being 7th just a week ago.

They’ve lost four 2022 recruits since news of Riley’s departure to USC, and Venables will have his work cut out for him to regain those commitments, add others, or bring guys from Clemson’s recruiting class.

Who are the five players that Brent Venables and the current staff should look to close the deal on?

As Riley moves on, the decommits from Oklahoma’s 2022 class begin to pile up

With Lincoln Riley heading to USC, the 2022 OU’s recruiting class has taken a hit with the early signing period right around the corner.

By now, it’s probably painfully obvious what has happened. The Sooners no longer have Lincoln Riley as their head coach as he decided Sunday to bolt for the head coaching position at the University of Southern California. It was a move that has shaken the core of the Sooners program and its community of fans with massive implications for the landscape of college football.

On the surface, the Sooners need a head coach sooner rather than later. Early signing period opens on December 15th. When news of Riley’s departure hit the internet, it was only a matter of time before Oklahoma commits would begin to jump ship and reassess their options. While the 2023 class was ranked number one in the country for its class, we’ll focus on the more pressing and immediate future of the 2022 class, who with two weeks away from making the biggest decisions of their lives are left without the head coach they committed to play for.

Derrick Moore, DE

Maryland native Derrick Moore announced his de-commitment Monday morning.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Moore committed to the Sooners on July 4 after visiting for the signature ChampU BBQ. He came on his official visit to Oklahoma in late September for the game against West Virginia.

Moore was recruited heavily by Jamar Cain, who remains on staff as of right now. At the time, the Sooners beat out Penn State, Ohio State, and Alabama for his services. Moore was a consensus four-star recruit across all major recruiting services and was in line for some early opportunities considering what Oklahoma will lose likely on their defensive line. It’s a massive loss as it stands right now.

Demetrius Hunter, IOL

Demetrius Hunter marks another tough blow for the Sooners 2022 recruiting efforts. Hunter had been committed since March of this year but has now backed out of his commitment. With Bill Bedenbaugh likely headed to USC with Riley, the lack of a head coach makes Oklahoma a difficult sell for Hunter.

While Hunter wasn’t ranked highly, just 353rd nationally on 247Sports’ composite rankings, Bedenbaugh saw something in him to take a chance, and with his track record of developing less-heralded guys, the Sooners may miss out on a gem. The product of West Orange-Stark High School now opens up his recruitment with signing day just around the corner.

Kobie McKinzie, LB

The first commit of the Sooners 2022 class has announced he will also be de-commiting from Oklahoma. Kobie McKinzie sent shockwaves through the recruiting world when he committed to Oklahoma as a sophomore after being recruited by Brian Odom. Odom is currently still employed by Oklahoma but his first major recruit while on staff is no more.

McKinzie hails from Lubbock, Texas which is notable considering that’s where Texas Tech is. Texas Tech has had their eye on him since he started high school football and with the new hire of Joey McGuire will likely set their sights on him again.

McKinzie is a consensus four-star linebacker recruit that the Sooners were ecstatic about having. In a lot of ways, he was a clone of former Sooner turned first-rounder Kenneth Murray.

It’s an unfortunate turn of events for a team that started the 2021 season as national title contenders. As the 2022 recruiting class begins taking hits, stay tuned here at the Sooners Wire for further updates as the situation unfolds.

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Positional Report Card: How did the Sooners grade out in their win vs. Jayhawks?

In what turned out to be the Oklahoma’s worst performance of the season, how did each position group grade in this week’s Report Card?

Despicable. That’s it. That’s the word for Oklahoma’s collective performance against the Kansas Jayhawks.

Of course, they did enough in the second half to win the game and hop on the bus for Norman still undefeated. However, not one group put their best foot forward and it’s a start contrast from last week’s performance.

Some individual efforts were nice but collectively, position group by position group, this may have been the lousiest game of the year.

Without further ado, let’s look at the positional grades Oklahoma earned for their game against Kansas.

Oklahoma Sooners’ linebackers provide veteran stability to improving defense

While much of the talk about the Sooners defense in 2021 has focused on the defensive line, OU’s veteran linebackers provide the foundation.

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This offseason, there’s been a lot of talk about the Oklahoma Sooners defensive line as a reason to be optimistic about the Sooners’ chances of contending for a national championship in 2021. There’s also been a lot of talk about the secondary and its youthful playmakers stepping into full-time roles in 2021.

There should be a lot of excitement about the defensive front and the secondary. They’re going to be a lot of fun to watch in 2021.

Offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches will be up late trying to come up with a way to block Nik Bonitto, Isaiah Thomas, Perrion Winfrey, and Jalen Redmond.

Woodi Washington and D.J. Graham will make it incredibly difficult for teams to throw to the outside. The safety group is experienced and won’t be left out to dry as often as they might have been in the past.

This defense is going to be really good. But a position group that often gets left out of the discussion is the linebacker group led by Brian Asamoah and DaShaun White. It might just be the most underrated position group on the entire team. And at the same time, it might just be the deepest group on the squad.

We’re thinking of traditional linebackers for this discussion and not including “rush linebacker” Nik Bonitto.

White, Asamoah, David Ugwoegbu, Caleb Kelly, and Shane Whitter provide the Sooners with five guys capable of making plays for Alex Grinch’s defense.

At the top of the depth chart, you have four guys that have played a ton of snaps for the Sooners and a fifth in Whitter that got his feet wet in 2020 but appears to be a player that has a big future.

White has played more than 1,000 snaps on defense for Oklahoma. Asamoah and Ugwoegbu have played more than 600. Caleb Kelly’s snap counts aren’t available from Pro Football Focus, but according to SoonersSports.com, he’s played in 41 games in his Oklahoma career.

It’s an experienced group that can bring four veterans into the game and contribute to Alex Grinch’s defense. Throw in Shane Whitter that Oklahoma Sooners Linebacker Coach Brian Odom talked about as a player on the rise back in the spring and you’ve got a great group of players.

There may not be a star on the linebacker depth chart (yet), but this group is flying under the radar heading into 2021. The stability, leadership, and experience at the position will be foundational to what Alex Grinch and the Oklahoma Sooners want to accomplish in 2021.