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Virginia targeting former UMBC coach who won as No. 16-seed, per report
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Virginia is closing in on hiring its next head coach, according to a report.
The Cavaliers are targeting VCU coach Ryan Odom for the role, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Odom led the Rams to the NCAA Tournament this year, but he is perhaps best known for leading UMBC to a historic upset over No. 1-seeded Virginia back in 2018.
That game marked the first-ever win for a No. 16 seed over a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UMBC ultimately fell in the Round of 32, but the Retrievers still made history that March with Odom leading the charge.
Virginia played the 2024-25 season with an interim head coach after Tony Bennett abruptly retired just before the start of the campaign. Ron Sanchez coached the Cavaliers this season, but they finished the year with a record of 15-17.
Since leading UMBC, Odom has been the head coach at both Utah State and VCU. He led both programs to the NCAA Tournament and now will try to have similar success at Virginia. Odom is 222-127 all-time as a college basketball head coach.
An official announcement for Odom’s hiring has not yet been made.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
