A new era of VCU men’s basketball: Ryan Odom introduced as new coach

Arrick Wilson, Sports Editor

Black and gold balloons fall from the Stuart C. Siegel Center, as the crowd chants, “let’s go, VCU.” A new period of VCU basketball has begun. 

After former VCU head coach Mike Rhoades accepted the open job at Pennsylvania State University, VCU hired Ryan Odom, according to VCU Athletics. Odom sees it as a duty to continue the program’s success, he said.  

“I don’t view this as an opportunity, I view this as a responsibility,” Odom said. “The tradition of excellence that has existed here at VCU is second to none — what coach wouldn’t want to coach here.”

Odom, a Durham, North Carolina native, was previously the head coach of Utah State University and has garnered seven postseason appearances in his coaching career, according to VCU Athletics. 

Odom takes over a program that captured the 2023 Atlantic 10 Conference regular season and tournament championships.

VCU Vice President and Director of Athletics, Ed McLaughlin hired Odom and is a believer in Odom’s coaching to win in the postseason. 

“There’s no doubt in my mind we’re going to win a national championship here, and I believe Ryan Odom is the guy to get it done,” McLaughlin said.

Odom aligns with VCU’s culture and coaches with a sense of “integrity” and “joy,” McLaughlin said.

“Through conversations with Ryan [Odom], it became clear that he really lined up everything that makes us who we are at VCU,” McLaughlin said. “He does it with empathy. He does that with integrity. He does it with appreciation, and most importantly, joy.”

Odom was the coach of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County when they defeated the University of Virginia in March Madness of 2018, becoming the first win by a No. 16 seed over a No. 1 seed in tournament history, according to VCU Athletics.

Currently, there are six VCU players in the transfer portal, according to Verbal Commits. The transfer portal is a database of every player who is interested in transferring from their current program to another institution, according to ESPN. Odom is optimistic even while having players in the portal. 

“If it’s a situation where someone wants to go elsewhere, then now my job is to put the pieces together,” Odom said. “We’ve got to put the pieces together. Figure out who’s staying — figure out who’s moving on, and that’s the nature of college basketball right now.”

Odom may have to figure it out without the A-10 Player and Defensive Player of the Year, VCU guard Adrian “Ace” Baldwin Jr., who is in the has transferred to Penn State, according to his Twitter. 

Even though losing a long-time coach is a tough loss, VCU students and fans alike are optimistic about the new coach.

Taylor Betke, a VCU interdisciplinary studies sophomore, is hopeful for the future of VCU basketball, even after losing a tenured coach, she said.

“It’s unfortunate to have someone who’s been here for quite some time to leave and someone who’s definitely made such an impact,” Betke said. “It poses that like a threat or so of some players leaving, but we can only hope for great things to come.”

Delaney Slavik, a VCU kinetic imaging sophomore and member of the Rowdy Rams, said it is tough to see coach Mike Rhoades go but is happy to see a new coach at the helm.  

“It kind of sucks that he’s leaving,” Slavik said. “It’s very exciting to have coach Odom coming in, see the new coaching changes and how that’s gonna go. I think the teams can do great this year.”

John Miller, a VCU kinesiology freshman, said Odom’s past postseason success makes him optimistic about this upcoming season.

“I know a lot about the new coach coming in. He came from UMBC,” Miller said. “I hear he’s a good leader. He got UMBC passing UVA, which is a good thing for our programs since we couldn’t make it past the first round this season.”

Odom said he is ready to get started at the helm of VCU’s program. 

“I can’t wait to get going,” Odom said.  “I can’t tell you how excited we are to get to work and we’re going to win championships too.”