UMBC coach was once a ballboy at Virginia
UMBC's historic upset of Virginia on Friday night had added significance for head coach Ryan Odom, whose basketball roots trace back to Charlottesville.
Odom served as a ballboy for Virginia while his father, Dave, was an assistant coach for the team from 1982-89.
Just a reminder: The last time @UVAMensHoops was #1 this was their ball boy. That ball boy is now @UMBC_MBB head coach Ryan Odom. Tonight it all comes full circle. pic.twitter.com/ZrhiyMTXJv
— Wayne Drehs (@espnWD) March 17, 2018
"Every day, when school got out. Ryan would go back to the house, he'd change into his basketball clothes and would get on his bike, cross over the viaduct on Alderman Road and drive right onto the court," Dave Odom, who retired from coaching in 2011, told Doug Doughty of the Roanoke Times.
"He'd park the bike behind the bench, walk over and sit down next to J.J. and they'd watch practice and dribble the ball between their legs. (Former Virginia coach Jeff Jones) talked more about basketball with him than I did."
Odom went on to serve as an assistant under Jones at American.
"Obviously Virginia is a special place," Ryan said after Friday's win, according to Yahoo Sports' Zach Pereles. "I mean, it's a special place. It was a special time for the Odom family when we were there. You know, so many high-level people, so many high-character people, so many successful people, and we were just fortunate to be a part of it."