University of Missouri Athletic Director Jim Sterk says it is hoped within the next 1 1/2 to two weeks that there will be a good idea as to who will be the next football coach at the SEC school.
Barry Odom was fired on Saturday morning, after a meeting with Sterk, who stated that a change needed to be made. Sterk held a news conference on Saturday afternoon:
Odom’s dismissal came a day after Missouri broke a five-game losing streak with a victory over Arkansas. Sterk indicated he has been considering options in recent weeks. During Saturday’s news conference, the A.D. explained the final decision concerning Odom was made within the previous 24 to 48 hours:
Current MU assistant coaches remain employed, for now. Defensive Line coach Brick Haley will be in charge until a new coach is hired:
Sterk explains what he is looking for in a head coach:
The same firm that helped employ Missouri men’s basketball coach Cuonzo Martin will be used in the search for the new head football coach:
Sterk mentioned interest already has been expressed. Concerning the financial impact to the Tiger football program:
Earlier in the news conference, Sterk also discussed financial impacts:
Sterk talked about the importance of the head football coach hiring process:
Odom’s firing comes less than a year after he received a contract extension that included a raise in his base salary to more than $3,000,000. According to MissouriNet, Odom is owed his base salary of $450,000, times the number of years remaining on his contract — which would be five more seasons.
