-
Pete Thamel, ESPN
UNLV football coach Barry Odom interviewed with Purdue officials and has emerged as the target of its search for a new head coach, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday.
A deal is expected to come together in the near future, with Odom long having been a priority candidate for the Boilermakers. Purdue officials traveled to Las Vegas to meet Odom, sources said.
Odom has gone 19-8 in two seasons at UNLV and led the Rebels to back-to-back Mountain West championship game appearances. UNLV (10-3) lost 21-7 to Boise State in Friday night’s MWC title game.
Odom, who also coached for four seasons at Missouri, has been a sought-after candidate with his recent success and coaching résumé.
He would replace Ryan Walters, who went 5-19 over two seasons at Purdue and was fired after a season-ending 11-game losing streak.
Odom emerged as a top candidate in this cycle after authoring road wins over Houston and Kansas early in the season. UNLV continued to thrive after the sudden departure of quarterback Matthew Sluka, who transferred after the Rebels’ 3-0 start.
Odom brings a defensive background, as he was a star linebacker at Missouri and has worked as the defensive coordinator at Memphis, Missouri and Arkansas.
Yahoo Sports first reported Odom as Purdue’s target.