College football coaches will do whatever it takes to ensure that their program is in the best position for success. Financial support is a key piece of that puzzle and fundraising, especially in the NIL era, has become an increasingly crucial part of the job.
Barry Odom took things to the next level on Saturday night!
The second-year head coach of UNLV was thrown from atop a live bull. It wasn’t one of those mechanical bulls that you see at the bar. It was a full-grown, rank bovine named ‘Widowmaker.’
Barry’s Big adventure!!! UNLV coach Barry Odom riding a bull to raise money for his FB program. Who does that? BARRY DOES@unlvfootball #UNLVFB @Coach_Odom pic.twitter.com/Jy6JvBNvpA
— Chris Maathuis (@sports8) March 3, 2024
Odom’s ride did not make it the full eight seconds. The bull bucked twice out of the chute and threw the 47-year-old from his back. He got clobbered.
Incredibly cool of @Coach_Odom to put himself out there for a #unlvfb fundraising bull ride @southpointlv pic.twitter.com/Q03ivm6FMN
— Adam Hill (@AdamHillLVRJ) March 3, 2024
The 2023 Mountain West Coach of the Year rode his bull at intermission of the Tuff Hedeman Bull Riding Tour event at the South Point casino. Fans of the Runnin’ Rebels were able to purchase a $150 ticket package that started with a meet-and-greet with both Odom and Hedeman himself. It also included a happy hour. All of the proceeds from ticket sales went to the Rebel Football Foundation — which is built to support UNLV through uniforms, transportation, facilities, etc. It is not the program’s NIL arm.
Barry Odom got rocked!
Odom rode a bull as part of an old-school fundraiser, in a sense. He knew that it was not a great idea but gave it everything he had anyway.
Is it a bad decision? Probably…
I understand that I’m stepping into an environment set up for ridicule and embarrassment, and I’m probably going to get my butt kicked. At best, it will last eight seconds.
I’m not bailing. I’m going to try and ride the thing. I know there are going to be lots of eyes that see this, so I don’t want to embarrass my family or program.
— Barry Odom before his ride
Odom was right. He did get his butt kicked. However, all things considered, it was an impressive showing to make it out of the chute!
He was in control from the start. I tried to catch up. Just couldn’t get there.
— Barry Odom after his ride
No other coach in college football is hopping on a rank bull, with zero prior training, to raise money for their programs. Odom stepped up in a big way. He give the fans an experience unlike any other in return for their financial support. It was pretty epic!