Barry Odom starts at Purdue with increased NIL budget and faces UNLV payment dispute questions

Barry Odom has started his tenure as Purdue's head coach with a larger NIL budget, aimed at revitalizing the struggling football program. He faces questions about a payment dispute from his time at UNLV, where quarterback Matthew Sluka left after claiming he did not receive a promised $100,000 NIL payment. Purdue's athletic director, Mike Bobinski, emphasized the school's commitment to NIL resources, stating they will operate at full capacity to compete effectively in recruiting. Odom's previous success at UNLV, where he improved the team's performance, was a key factor in his hiring. Odom inherits a team that finished the 2024 season with a 1-11 record and significant roster challenges, including 21 players in the transfer portal. He aims to rebuild the program by evaluating talent and developing a strong offensive and defensive strategy.