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Barry Odom vs. Ryan Walters: Friends collide on opposite sidelines

On3 imageby: Tom Dienhart7 hours agoTomDienhart1
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(Krockover Photography)

Life is funny.

Ryan Walters and Barry Odom are buddies. But had Walters not been terminated at Purdue after the 2024 season, Odom would not be the Boilermaker head coach.

One friend’s misfortune is another friend’s benefit.

“Ryan and I have known each other for a long time,” said Odom. “I mean, probably, I don’t know, maybe since 2008 or ’09. I’ve known him a long time. I consider him a friend.

“I know his wife, Tara, and his boys, and so he’s a friend.”

Walters was let go on December 1 after going 1-11 overall and winless in the Big Ten in 2024. A week later, Odom was hired on December 8. Has Odom talked or texted with Walters since?

“I have,” he said.

What was the exchange?

“I’ll keep that between Coach and I,” said Odom.

Walters landed on his feet after going 5-19 overall (3-15 Big Ten) at Purdue from 2023-24, serving in his first season as defensive coordinator for the Huskies as Odom navigates his maiden voyage in West Lafayette after departing UNLV for Purdue.

Now, the friends will square off, set to meet on Saturday when Purdue (2-8 overall; 0-7 Big Ten) and Washington (6-3; 3-3) clash in Seattle at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.

Each school is looking to get on track. The Huskies are coming off a numbing 13-10 loss at Wisconsin, while Purdue is trying to end a eight-game losing streak.

While Walters and the Huskies already are bowl eligible, Purdue is the midst of a mess of misery. The Big Ten losing streak has reached 16 games. The last Big Ten win came in 2023. The last conference road victory came in 2022 under Jeff Brohm.

If the Boilermakers are gonna sip from the cup of victory on Saturday, their offense will need to hit on all cylinders vs. a defense that is allowing 20.0 ppg under Walters. Does Odom’s familiarity with Walters’ defense give him and Purdue an edge? The two have coached together at two different stops: Missouri and Memphis.

“He’s adjusted and adapted to his personnel, just like most coaches do,” said Odom. “There are things that you look at schematically that looks familiar, but also he’s adapted and adjusted and evolved like most everybody does. There’s always some things that you see on tape, you’re like, ‘Yeah, that’s what I know and remember.’ And then there’s some adjustments and changes in there like ‘Yeah, that’s a new twist,’ or something new that they’re doing.”

Odom will see another familiar face on Saturday: Brian Odom, who is the youngest of the three Odom brothers. Brad Odom, Purdue’s director of recruiting, is the oldest and Barry is the middle son of Bob and Cheryl Odom.

Who will Odom’s mom and dad be cheering for on Saturday?

“Have to ask them,” said Odom, who noted his parents won’t be at the game. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been the favorite. I don’t know, strange. I don’t know. But the right answer would be both of us, of course.”

Friendship and family matter to Odom, but he will be on a business trip in Seattle.

“Ryan’s a friend, and I hate coaching against my brother,” said Odom. “But, we signed up for it. He wants to beat me, and I want to beat him.”

MORE: First and 10: Purdue at Washington | First Look: Washington

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