Purdue University hired Barry Odom as its new head football coach last Sunday. Athletic director Mike Bobinski made the announcement. Odom, 48, comes to Purdue after a successful run at UNLV, where he helped improve the team’s offense and guided them to back-to-back Mountain West Conference runner-up finishes. He takes over a Purdue program that struggled in 2024, finishing with a 1-11 record, following the dismissal of Ryan Walters, who went 5-19 in two seasons, as per AP News.

Coach Odom’s move to Purdue comes as the Big Ten remains highly competitive, with four teams making this year's expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. Odom had success at UNLV, including a 10-3 season—its best in 40 years—and a 19-8 record overall. However, transitioning from the Mountain West to the Big Ten will be challenging, especially after Purdue’s underwhelming season and a roster affected by the transfer portal. Purdue Athletic Director Mike Bobinski is confident in Odom’s ability to turn things around, saying, "Coach Odom personifies the qualities our football program and university value," according to ESPN and AP News.

Purdue Athletics plans to put more emphasis on Name, Image, and Likeness deals under new football coach Ryan Odom. Athletic director Mike Bobinski noted the need to adapt to changes in college sports. "You need a coach who understands that and embraces that the new world is going to require a new way of thinking," Bobinski said in an AP News interview. Odom will be introduced to fans and media on Tuesday as Purdue looks to become more competitive in the Big Ten.