COLUMBIA, MO. • It’s still uncertain exactly why Missouri coach Barry Odom fired defensive coordinator DeMontie Cross two games into his second season on the staff, but Odom cleared up three points during his weekly conference call with reporters Monday.
One, Cross wasn’t fired for the team’s on-field performance, but for “philosophical differences,” Odom said.
Two, Odom will assume Cross’ duties coaching the team’s inside linebackers, along with help from other staffers.
Three, athletics director Jim Sterk played a role in the decision.
“Jim’s going to be involved with every decision we make within our program that has to do with something of this magnitude,” Odom said.