but the way it played out with all the haste to get statements out to refute it, and I cant remember the reporter or two ran with it but they were legit, makes me think we did offer him at least verbally. The sniff test to me is even Whit could clearly see Odom was a sexier hire with a higher ceiling then CMY. There just wasnt a compelling case to have preferred CMY at the time. If you recall this was another 'Whit with his pants down' hire. After Buzz resigned, I think it is pretty certain he took a very quick and unsuccessful swing at Mick Cronin (the Cincy connection) . Then we had a protracted situation courting Kevin Williard which ended with him getting a bump at Seton Hall (note- Whit likely dodged Buzz II there, the way it ended at Maryland). Anyway he was up against it time wise (just like Pry) and probably took the bird in the hand with the first guy to say yes, which was CMY. All in all in ended reasonably well for VT, but to me it was another Whit misjudges the hiring and settles in desperation. Again that is no slam on CMY who had proved more then adequate. But I think that was more luck then some sort of Whit brilliance. Of course the VT story is going to be we preferred CMY all along. And let me add, Odom was a different bird then most, because he had a lot of big time advice and experience growing up around the profession. He was willing to walk away from the first huge raise. He was being celebrated in Baltimore , living in a nice place, nice schools, young family. He knew he'd get other shots. ** Edited by Vippie1 at 2/19/2026, 10:40:14 AM