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Barry Odom | The Rebel Way
April 8, 2024
Barry Odom is entering his second season as head coach at UNLV. Last year he led the Rebels to a 9-4 record, a shot at the Mountain West Conference Championship (their first ever) and their first bowl appearance in a decade. The Rebels’ accomplishments during the 2023 season led Odom to be recognized as the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year.
The Rebel Way: “In order for us to be our best, we absolutely must work together. We must be committed to being a great TEAMMATE. Our accountability level to ourselves and our TEAMMATES will make the difference in our level of success. Our identity will be on display – how bad do WE want to be great? We have the opportunity to do something really special… it is going to be hard; there is no instant gratification, but it will be the most rewarding thing you have ever been a part of!”
Coaching Principle and Belief:
- Commitment
- To common goals as a TEAM and to being successful
- Unselfishness
- TEAM 1st …. WE OVER ME
- 3 promises – Go to class/academics; have a great attitude; have the willingness to be coached
- Trust
- Family – being a great TEAMMATE can be the strongest bond in your life. Be there for each other
- Treat everyone how you want to be treated
- Relationships
- Build trust in each other to always do the right thing for our TEAM
- Growth
- Everyday… Academically/Socially/Athletically
- There is a plan – utilize the services and resources we have in place. Write your script!!
- The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on growth. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders, and continually develops them
- Be intentional about personal growth; it won’t just happen because we want it to
- Growth must never stop
- Toughness
- Mentally and Physically
- Never give up… it’s going to be hard; we will have to strain and be uncomfortable
- Self-Discipline
- Personal Accountability and making decisions that put the TEAM 1st; every decision you make effects our football program and many before and after you
- Sacrifice… having the character and the toughness to make the right choice
- Are we committed to doing more? Recovery habits, social habits, extra prep
- Unmatched Effort/Urgency/Enthusiasm
- Attitude – you control it every day… no matter the situation
- 4th and 1 every day, in all walks of life
- Be Early/On Time/Do More – it’s a reflection of what is important to YOU
- Eliminate Mistakes
- Don’t beat yourself; have these areas in our favor – turnover margin, penalties, mental errors, special teams
- Be a Great Competitor
- Don’t ever accept losing – as soon as it’s allowed once, it will be easy to do the rest of your life. Our culture will not allow it
- Hard/Smart/Tough… For Longer than Our Opponent
- There is a winner and a loser in everything we do
- Expect to win
- Expect more and give more
- No self-limitations… True Self-Confidence
- Prepare/believe/train to WIN
- Consistency
- Details and Habits – your best every time
- Leadership
- Everyone sets an example; be willing to change what isn’t right
- Establish the culture that will only allow success
- Responsibility
- Everyone is responsible for your own performance – Do Your Job
- OVER-COMMUNICATE
- No Excuses
THE PLAN TO WIN
- Take Care of the Ball
- Run the Ball… Stop the Run
- Special Teams Factor
- Preparation is Our Edge… 48 Hour Prep
- Penalties/Discipline – Off-Season and Winning Edge
- 4th Quarter Finish
Recruiting – Tough Questions (questions we ask their coaches)
- Does he have the ability and desire to be a great college player in the MWC
- Is he liked and respected by his teammates and coaches (1-10)
- Rate his toughness (1-10)
- Is he a leader? Vocal/By Example? (1-10)
- Is he a great competitor? (1-10)
- Does he do what he is supposed to do when he is supposed to do it? (1-10)
- Rate his character (1-10)
- Good citizen? Ever been in trouble? Arrested?
- Work Ethic? (1-10) Practice Player? (1-10)
- Attitude, coachability, and reaction to criticism?
- Concentration and ability to learn football (1-10)
- Does he love to play football?
- Any medical problems? Surgeries? Concussions? Back? Knee? Shoulder? Asthma? Children?
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.
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Barry Odom is entering his second season as head coach at UNLV. Last year he led the Rebels to a 9-4 record, a shot at the Mountain West Conference Championship (their first ever) and their first bowl appearance in a decade. The Rebels’ accomplishments during the 2023 season led Odom to be recognized as the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year.
The Rebel Way: “In order for us to be our best, we absolutely must work together. We must be committed to being a great TEAMMATE. Our accountability level to ourselves and our TEAMMATES will make the difference in our level of success. Our identity will be on display – how bad do WE want to be great? We have the opportunity to do something really special… it is going to be hard; there is no instant gratification, but it will be the most rewarding thing you have ever been a part of!”
Coaching Principle and Belief:
- Commitment
- To common goals as a TEAM and to being successful
- Unselfishness
- TEAM 1st …. WE OVER ME
- 3 promises – Go to class/academics; have a great attitude; have the willingness to be coached
- Trust
- Family – being a great TEAMMATE can be the strongest bond in your life. Be there for each other
- Treat everyone how you want to be treated
- Relationships
- Build trust in each other to always do the right thing for our TEAM
- Growth
- Everyday… Academically/Socially/Athletically
- There is a plan – utilize the services and resources we have in place. Write your script!!
- The single biggest way to impact an organization is to focus on growth. There is almost no limit to the potential of an organization that recruits good people, raises them up as leaders, and continually develops them
- Be intentional about personal growth; it won’t just happen because we want it to
- Growth must never stop
- Toughness
- Mentally and Physically
- Never give up… it’s going to be hard; we will have to strain and be uncomfortable
- Self-Discipline
- Personal Accountability and making decisions that put the TEAM 1st; every decision you make effects our football program and many before and after you
- Sacrifice… having the character and the toughness to make the right choice
- Are we committed to doing more? Recovery habits, social habits, extra prep
- Unmatched Effort/Urgency/Enthusiasm
- Attitude – you control it every day… no matter the situation
- 4th and 1 every day, in all walks of life
- Be Early/On Time/Do More – it’s a reflection of what is important to YOU
- Eliminate Mistakes
- Don’t beat yourself; have these areas in our favor – turnover margin, penalties, mental errors, special teams
- Be a Great Competitor
- Don’t ever accept losing – as soon as it’s allowed once, it will be easy to do the rest of your life. Our culture will not allow it
- Hard/Smart/Tough… For Longer than Our Opponent
- There is a winner and a loser in everything we do
- Expect to win
- Expect more and give more
- No self-limitations… True Self-Confidence
- Prepare/believe/train to WIN
- Consistency
- Details and Habits – your best every time
- Leadership
- Everyone sets an example; be willing to change what isn’t right
- Establish the culture that will only allow success
- Responsibility
- Everyone is responsible for your own performance – Do Your Job
- OVER-COMMUNICATE
- No Excuses
THE PLAN TO WIN
- Take Care of the Ball
- Run the Ball… Stop the Run
- Special Teams Factor
- Preparation is Our Edge… 48 Hour Prep
- Penalties/Discipline – Off-Season and Winning Edge
- 4th Quarter Finish
Recruiting – Tough Questions (questions we ask their coaches)
- Does he have the ability and desire to be a great college player in the MWC
- Is he liked and respected by his teammates and coaches (1-10)
- Rate his toughness (1-10)
- Is he a leader? Vocal/By Example? (1-10)
- Is he a great competitor? (1-10)
- Does he do what he is supposed to do when he is supposed to do it? (1-10)
- Rate his character (1-10)
- Good citizen? Ever been in trouble? Arrested?
- Work Ethic? (1-10) Practice Player? (1-10)
- Attitude, coachability, and reaction to criticism?
- Concentration and ability to learn football (1-10)
- Does he love to play football?
- Any medical problems? Surgeries? Concussions? Back? Knee? Shoulder? Asthma? Children?
For more information about the AFCA, visit www.AFCA.com. For more interesting articles, check out The Insider and subscribe to our weekly email.
If you are interested in more in-depth articles and videos, please become an AFCA member. You can find out more information about membership and specific member benefits on the AFCA Membership Overview page. If you are ready to join, please fill out the AFCA Membership Application.