UNLV Rebels head coach Barry communicates from the sideline during the first half of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl NCAA college football vs. Kansas Jayhawks game at Chase Field in Phoenix, Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023.・Odom. (Ellen Schmidt/Las Vegas Review Journal) @ellenschmidttt
UNLV football coach Barry Odom found a unique way to celebrate the start of spring practice Saturday.
Odom is scheduled to ride a live bull later this evening at the “Horn & Helmet” event at South Point.
The event is part of the Tough Hedeman Bull Riding Tour held at the Casino's Equestrian Center and features 24 elite bull riders. Odom plans to ride bulls during breaks.
“Was it a bad decision? Probably,” Odom said after practice. “I understand that I'm walking into an environment set up for ridicule and embarrassment, and I'm probably going to get my ass kicked for about eight seconds at most.
“I'm not bailing. I'm going to go for it. I know there's going to be a lot of people who will see this, and I don't want to embarrass my family or the show.”
The 2023 Mountain West Coach of the Year also expects players to closely monitor footage of any potential rides back to campus.
“When I go to the store (Sunday), all eyes will be on me,” Odom said. “They're going to have a lot of criticism. But our program is in a position where we can get some publicity. If I try to jump on it, they're going to open up the chute and I I’m going to hang on tight and let’s see how it goes.”
This is a developing story. Please check the latest information.
Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com.to follow @Ed Granny At X.
