Collegiate Times

Ryan Odom has now helped produce two of the best guards in the conference; Defensive Player of the Year Jamon Gordon and All-ACC guard Zabian Dowdell. Aside from recruiting, Odom works with the guards in practice alongside Brad Greenberg, Seth's brother.

"The way you win is recruiting well and having good players," Ryan Odom said. "I think helping them get better as they go along from being freshmen all the way to seniors is a good feeling. Watching Jamon and Zab and Coleman and Tuck and Sailes is pretty remarkable."

Off the court, Ryan Odom tries to create individual relationships with each player on the team. Even though he is more than 10 years older than any of the players, he still feels that he can relate to them, something Coach Seth Greenberg noticed right away.

"Ryan is an extremely good communicator," Greenberg said. "He's detail-oriented and works hard and has a great feel for the game. He loves the players and has a softer side in him as well, which is a good balance."

Eventually, Odom will make the jump to a head coaching position, but he feels fine where he is right now.

"I love it here. I don't foresee myself leaving anytime soon," Ryan Odom said. "I thoroughly enjoy what I'm doing here. There's no better assistant coaching job than the ACC, that's the pinnacle for a lot of guys."

Even if he likes being an assistant, Ryan Odom knows he can be one great coach.

"Ryan has so much potential," Dave Odom said. "He has the talent and the skills to be a head coach. He's good at both aspects in recruiting and coaching. He still will have some things to learn, like dealing with the media, students, fans and alumni. He's learning from one of the best in Seth Greenberg."

One of Ryan Odom's biggest supporters is his young son Connor. Like Odom did at that age, he can be found hanging around the coaches and players.

"I want Connor to be around here and be around the coaches and players. I want him to enjoy basketball, and he clearly does," Ryan Odom said. "I love him being around. That's one thing that Seth has tried to promote here, is a family-oriented atmosphere. That creates a healthy environment for everybody."

Maybe an aspiring head coach should room with Connor for a month. If history serves true, that person and Odom will one day be major college head coaches.

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