Utah Football Brings Back Veteran Coach Derrick Odum as Safeties Coach
Jan 3, 2026, 12:35 PM | Updated: 1:53 pm
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utes have added a familiar face to their defensive staff, announcing the return of Derrick Odum as the team’s safeties coach for the 2026 season.
Odum rejoins the program after nearly a decade leading defenses and coaching at the FBS level, adding experience, recruiting ties, and a track record of developing elite defensive backs under head coach Morgan Scalley.
“Derrick is a Utah Man that is one of the best teachers and evaluators I have been around,” Scalley said in an official statement. “He has a proven track record of developing some of the best defensive backs in the country and brings a wealth of knowledge from having coordinated defense for the past nine years. We are excited to bring him home!”
Odum’s connection to Utah runs deep. A former Ute defensive back, he played at Utah from 1989–1992, starting as a safety and cornerback and later contributing as a two-sport athlete on the baseball team.
Odum echoed the sentiment, calling his return a homecoming and expressing excitement about contributing to Utah’s next chapter. “The culture here for winning has been long established and I’m looking forward to doing my part in contributing to the program’s future success. Whether in the classroom or on the field these men exemplify greatness. A Utah Man Am I! Go Utes!” he said.
A Return With a Resume
After graduating in 1993 with a degree in political science, Odum began his coaching career with graduate assistant duties at Utah in the mid-1990s.
He served earlier stints on the Utah staff as safeties coach, helping develop standout defenders — including future NFL star Eric Weddle — and mentoring players who earned all-conference recognition.
Since that time, Odum has amassed nearly three decades of coaching experience, including stops at Montana, Utah State, Houston, SMU, and Oregon State.
He most recently spent nine seasons as defensive coordinator and associate head coach at San Jose State, where his units were foundational in building competitive defenses that combined discipline with playmaking.
What He Brings to the Utes
Odum arrives in Salt Lake City with multiple strengths that position him as a key piece of Utah’s defensive evolution:
Proven Developer of Defensive Backs — Across his career, Odum has coached numerous all-conference defenders and helped players earn individual honors. His past work shows an ability to teach fundamentals, anticipation, and ball skills — traits essential for safeties in today’s fast-paced Big 12 offenses.
Veteran Leadership & Scheme Experience — Odum’s time as a defensive coordinator gives him a broad perspective on how the secondary fits into overall defensive game plans — an asset when designing coverage adjustments and communicating with position groups.
Recruiting Ties in Key Regions — With roots in California and extensive coaching stops across the West, Odum brings recruiting relationships in fertile territory for defensive backs — a potential boon for Utah’s talent pipeline.
Defense, Culture, & Continuity
Scalley’s decision to bring Odum home highlights a broader theme in Utah’s staff construction: melding continuity with an infusion of experience.
As Scalley transitions fully into his role as head coach, having trusted voices like Odum on staff ensures that defensive culture — long a hallmark of Utah football — remains strong even amid change.
For players in the secondary, Odum’s presence offers both technical coaching excellence and a mentor who has navigated the climb from college athlete to seasoned coach.
That kind of continuity is particularly valuable as Utah adapts to a new era under Scalley while competing in the Big 12’s increasingly dynamic offensive landscape.
The Bottom Line
Derrick Odum’s return to Utah as safeties coach brings experience, a level familiarity, and recruiting know-how to a secondary that will be critical in the Big 12.
A former Ute standout and longtime defensive coach with coordinator experience, Odum blends player development credentials with strategic insight — exactly the kind of leadership Utah needs as it transitions into a new era under Morgan Scalley.
This hire reinforces the program’s defensive identity and should pay dividends both on the field and in recruiting for years to come.
