Barry Odom has enjoyed success in his first two seasons as head coach at UNLV, posting a 19-7 record (12-3 in conference play) to this point.

But his career as a head coach hasn’t always been so lauded. After making a name for himself as a coach and defensive position coordinator, Odom was hired to lead his alma mater Missouri in 2016. After building a promising 8-5 season over three years, Odom was fired after a disappointing 6-6 season in 2019.

On the same day Odom was fired five years ago, he reflected on his path to this point at UNLV.

“I will never forget it (the firing), and you learn from your lessons and your opportunities,” Odom said. “You pick yourself up, shake off the dust and create more… And I have the opportunity to sit up here with two great players and I’m very, very grateful for that. “It’s going to be a heck of a week. And the Rebel Nation should be really excited about what this team does every day. We’re going to get back to work and get ready to go to Boise and play our best game.”

Exactly five years ago to the day, Barry Odom was fired in Missouri. Now he’s just one game away from the College Football Playoff.

He began his press conference with reflections and emotions that everyone should hear. @unlvfootball

“You pick yourself up. You dust yourself off and get creative…” pic.twitter.com/AutoCUTAmn

— Logan Reever (@loganreever) December 1, 2024

Odom and UNLV now travel to Boise to face the Broncos in the Mountain West Championship Game on Friday, with a spot in the College Football Playoff likely on the line.