COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) – The second time Barry Odom interviewed for the Missouri coaching job was supposed to be a rough ride to see how he’d react.
“He wasn’t lying when he said they put me through the wringer,” Odom said Friday at his introductory news conference. “I was ready. Let’s make the decision, let’s go to work.”
Athletic director Mack Rhoades took it as a plus when Odom showed some exasperation.
“We intentionally tried to wear him out,” Rhoades said. “He got a little ticked off, which I liked. Just his fight and that competitive nature, those are things that I think are a few of the qualities a head coach needs.”
Odom learned during the process that he needs to be a little more patient. He’s ready to roll up his sleeves and step into the big shoes left by Gary Pinkel, who resigned after the season while battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma.