Odom takes job at Virginia Commonwealth, USU looking for new coach
LOGAN — Utah State Men’s Basketball is looking for a new head honcho. Head coach Ryan Odom has left USU to take the same job at Virginia Commonwealth in the Atlantic 10 Conference, per announcements from both schools.
On Wednesday night, Jerry Bovee, USU’s interim athletics director, said in a statement that Odom resigned and thanked him for his time in Logan.
“We thank Ryan, his family and staff for their contributions to Aggie Basketball,” Bovee said. “They did a great job maintaining the winning culture we are accustomed to.”
It appears Bovee is also trying to keep Aggie players from entering the transfer portal.
“We have a deep and talented roster returning next year that are made up of high-character individuals and our priorities start and end with them,” Bovee said.
When former USU head coach Craig Smith left the program in 2021, players Marco Anthony and Rollie Worster followed him to Utah. It appears USU is trying to prevent losing talent like that to Odom at VCU.
The best strategy to keep guys here is to find an appealing head coach to take the reigns at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum. Bovee said that the university has already started a national search to do so.
“Utah State basketball has a proven track record of success over a long period of time with numerous coaches,” Bovee said. “This is a very desirable job that has already drawn national interest and we will work as quickly and efficiently as possible to assure our next head coach is equipped to build upon all our successes.”
The shortlist, per national and local reporters, includes San Jose State head coach Tim Miles, Montana State head coach Danny Sprinkle and Loyola Marymount head coach Stan Johnson.
Other names from local reporters and circling the internet include current USU assistant coach Nate Dixon, Charleston head coach Pat Kelsey, Drake head coach Darian DeVries and San Diego State assistant coaches JayDee Luster and Chris Acker.
Utah Valley head coach Mark Madsen has already been swooped up by California, per an announcement from the school.
As Odom moves on, it appears he is glad to head back to the East Coast. In a statement, he said he and his wife Lucia are excited to move to Virginia and join the VCU community.
“We look forward to continuing the incredible tradition of excellence that VCU Basketball has embodied for many years,” Odom said. “We are humbled with the honor of leading this outstanding program and will fight each day to produce a program our university, alumni and fans can be extremely proud to call their own.”
Odom leaves Utah State after two seasons with an NCAA Tournament appearance, a National Invitation Tournament appearance and 44 wins and 25 losses.
Featured image by Sam Warner from the Wyoming game on Jan. 10.