Barry Odom is getting set for his first season at UNLV, but the former Arkansas defensive coordinator stopped by WJOX in Birmingham, Alabama to discuss his departure from the Razorbacks.

Cole Cubelic asked Odom why the UNLV job appealed to him because of the one bowl game in 20 years, one 8-win season since 2000. Yet Cubelic believed that someone would get the program going. Odom said his thought process aligned with Cubelic’s.

“I was not looking to leave Arkansas, we were, myself and family were tremendously happy there,” Odom said. “Working for Coach Pittman and we had things rolling along, and I know they’re going to have a bright future and much success coming up this next year. So it’s not like I was looking to leave, but always, there were a few jobs that I had in the back of my mind if they did come open, that it might be a fit.”

UNLV was one of those, and Odom believes he can turn it into an elite program and leave his legacy there. Odom pointed to the infrastructure and alignment with the athletics director, and the facilities, from a standalone football complex, to Allegiant Stadium.

“The reasons I took the job is I think it can be a premier job,” Odom said.