Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Ryan Odom

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 15, 2026

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Ryan Odom made an impact.

Ryan Odom is an American college basketball coach currently leading the University of Virginia's men's basketball program. Prior to UVA, Odom held head coaching positions at UMBC, Utah State, and VCU. A notable aspect of his career is his quick success in guiding each of these teams to the NCAA tournament within his first two years at each institution, marking him as a coach with a strong record of rapidly improving programs.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1982: Dave Odom became UVA assistant coach

In 1982, Dave Odom, Ryan Odom's father, became an assistant coach at UVA.

1989: Dave Odom leaves UVA assistant coach position

In 1989, Dave Odom was no longer the assistant coach at UVA.

2008: America East regular season crown

In Ryan Odom's final year at UMBC, Odom guided the Retrievers to a share of the America East regular season crown for the first time since 2008.

2010: Joined Charlotte Coaching Staff

In 2010, Ryan Odom joined the coaching staff of Charlotte, serving as an assistant.

2017: UMBC makes CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament

In 2017, UMBC, under Ryan Odom, accepted a bid to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament and won its first-round matchup against Fairfield.

2017: Retrievers finish in second place in the America East

In the 2017-18 regular season saw the Retrievers finish in second place in the America East, with a 12–4 record

2018: UMBC defeats Virginia in NCAA Tournament

During the 2018 NCAA tournament, Ryan Odom led the Retrievers to become the first No. 16 seed to win in the first round with a 74–54 victory over Virginia.

2018: UMBC defeats Virginia in NCAA Tournament; Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award

In 2018, Ryan Odom coached UMBC to defeat No. 1 seed Virginia in the NCAA Round of 64, the first time a No. 16 seed won. Also in 2018, he was awarded the Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award.

2019: America East tournament final

In 2019, Odom led the Retrievers to another appearance in the America East tournament final, where it fell to Vermont.

April 2021: Named Head Coach at Utah State

In April 2021, Ryan Odom was announced as the head coach at Utah State.

2021: America East Coach of the Year

In 2021, Ryan Odom was named America East Coach of the Year.

March 2023: Named Head Coach at VCU

In March 2023, Ryan Odom was named the men's basketball coach for Virginia Commonwealth University Rams.

2023: NCAA Division I tournament

In 2023, Ryan Odom led the Utah State team to a berth in the NCAA Division I tournament.

2024: VCU defeats Villanova in National Invitation Tournament

In the 2024 National Invitation Tournament, VCU, coached by Ryan Odom, defeated No. 1 seed Villanova on their home floor.

2024: Rams were Atlantic 10 Conference favorites

In the 2024–25 season the Rams were the Atlantic 10 Conference favorites from beginning to end, having been voted the No. 1 team in the conference in the pre-season.