The final pieces of new head coach Barry Odom’s staff are falling into place in Columbia.

Odom has hired Rohrk Cutchlow, who was previously working with the Memphis football program, as his Director of Athletic Performance.

Here are Odom’s comments on the decision, from the school’s press release:

“I’m very excited to have Rohrk be part of our program at Mizzou,” said Odom.  “He’s a guy who is highly sought after and has had several other opportunities.  He made a big impression on me in my time at Memphis, so our relationship goes back through a rebuilding project there that allowed his influence to make a huge difference in our program.  He’s very well-respected nationally, and he instills great toughness and leadership with his teams.  Rohrk will be a great asset to our coaching staff, in the way that he touches our players every day, as well as the results he will get.  He will be very challenging and demanding of our players, but they will respond and appreciate his approach and his ability to get them into the best physical and mental condition that they can be.”

Likewise, the school had a statement from Cutchlow himself:

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to join the Mizzou family,” Cutchlow said.  “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Barry Odom and believe strongly in his vision for the Mizzou Football program.  I also feel very fortunate to work for a prestigious institution like the University of Missouri and to be entrusted with the responsibility of directing the strength and conditioning programs for our football student-athletes.  I can’t wait to get to Columbia and get started.”

Cutchlow’s Memphis team just lost to Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl yesterday. He will report to Mizzou at an undetermined date in January.