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Barry Odom finally eyes coaching debut after tumultuous offseason

Related Topics: Gary Pinkel, Maty Mauk

Barry Odom is all about moving forward.

The Missouri alum -- a member of a staff rocked by a player-led protest surrounding racial issues on campus last year and dealing with the sudden resignation of long-time coach Gary Pinkel -- is looking to rebuild after a disappointing year while carrying on the success from Pinkel's 15 years in Columbia.

That already tough task was intensified by an offseason from hell that saw a handful of dismissals, including former starting quarterback Maty Mauk and defensive lineman Harold Brantley. It saw the university looking to mend wounds from last year's protest; a handful of administrative changes within the university; a shrinking enrollment; and the athletic director (who hired Odom) leaving for the same position at Baylor.