I've been pretty outspoken that I question the leadership on this team. I don't think there's a lot of it, no matter what the players and coaches say. Your leaders have to be upperclassmen and they have to be guys that produce on the field. Who is both for Missouri? I don't see a ton of them. I'm not saying they're bad guys or anything. I just think there's a void of upperclassman leadership.
So here's what I'd do if I were the coaching staff: I'm going all in on the youth movement. Larry Rountree is the No. 2 tailback and gets a ton of carries. Chris Turner and Nate Anderson and Rashad Brandon play a lot more on the DL. Get Jamal Brooks, Adam Sparks and Jordan Ulmer out there on defense. Throw the kids to the wolves.
The worst that can happen is they continue to get blown out. The best that can happen is you see some improvement and hope for the future. If that happens, Odom can go to Sterk and say "Look, the guys I've brought in here get it. You've seen it on the field. It may not have translated into all the results we want yet, but it's going to. I need another year to bring more of my guys in. Next year, the roster is 70% my guys. Judge me then."
I want to be clear that I understand why people are mad and understand those that don't think he should get that third year. I'm telling you what I would do if I were in his situation. Anytime there's a coaching change, you're going to have some of the holdovers who don't buy in. Missouri got rid of some of those in the offseason. They'll get rid of more in this offseason. If Odom really means everything he said last night (and I have little doubt he does), I think it's time for him to put his stamp on this program. You've got a bye, it's the perfect time. You put your young guys out there and see what they can do.
So here's what I'd do if I were the coaching staff: I'm going all in on the youth movement. Larry Rountree is the No. 2 tailback and gets a ton of carries. Chris Turner and Nate Anderson and Rashad Brandon play a lot more on the DL. Get Jamal Brooks, Adam Sparks and Jordan Ulmer out there on defense. Throw the kids to the wolves.
The worst that can happen is they continue to get blown out. The best that can happen is you see some improvement and hope for the future. If that happens, Odom can go to Sterk and say "Look, the guys I've brought in here get it. You've seen it on the field. It may not have translated into all the results we want yet, but it's going to. I need another year to bring more of my guys in. Next year, the roster is 70% my guys. Judge me then."
I want to be clear that I understand why people are mad and understand those that don't think he should get that third year. I'm telling you what I would do if I were in his situation. Anytime there's a coaching change, you're going to have some of the holdovers who don't buy in. Missouri got rid of some of those in the offseason. They'll get rid of more in this offseason. If Odom really means everything he said last night (and I have little doubt he does), I think it's time for him to put his stamp on this program. You've got a bye, it's the perfect time. You put your young guys out there and see what they can do.
