Spartan Echo

Other Contributors: A’lauren Gilchrist, Myles Bland, Alauna Marable, Quiana Northern, Kyra Williams, Ian Williams, Chloe-Ryan Woolfolk.

As Norfolk State University (NSU) closes for Thanksgiving break, a shocking update was announced Tuesday morning. NSU’s head football Coach, Dawson Odums has been released from his position after four seasons ending in a record of 15-30 overall. This announcement was made by NSU’s Director of Athletics Melody Webb in a press release. The news has left students, fans, and players shocked, wondering what will be next for the team and the future of football in Sparta. 

Senior, defensive back Oladapo Salimonu expressed, “I’m really surprised, but due to AD Webb’s commitment to excellence, I am not too shocked. I love Coach Odums and I think he is an amazing man despite not winning as much as we’d hope.”

Starting at NSU shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Odums led the Spartans to a record of 6-5, in 2022, a record of 2-9, in 2023, a record of 3-8, and this season he ended with a loss against South Carolina State resulting in the 2024 record of 4-8. In the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) his stats stand still at 7-12 in the overall conference play, yet over the past four seasons it has not been enough to suffice. 

Odums on gameday. Credit: NSU Athletics.

Before coming to NSU, Odums was the interim head coach for Clark Atlanta University in 2004 serving for one season and years later he became the head coach for Southern University’s football program gaining much success. In his first year alone, he conquered such feats as winning the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)  Title, SWAC Championship,  and was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 2013.

As NSU looked forward to the same success, Odums signed a 6-year $1.2 million- dollar contract in 2021.  Yet after the announcement of his release, Odums will receive a payout of $240,000 in full because of the remaining time left in his contract that he will not actively get to serve. 

Commenting on the contract, Isaiah Stevens, former defensive back, said,

“This did kind of surprise me as I wasn’t sure the school was serious enough about winning to pay him the rest of his money not to finish his contract, he only had one year left to serve.”

Wide receiver and transfer student Jacquez Jones added, “I didn’t expect it at all. They said his contract wasn’t over until 2025 or next year, so I thought they were going to wait until next year to see how next season goes.”

Coach Odums on the sideline. Credit: NSU Athletics.

This information has left students in shock and others in celebration. Spartan Pride is part of the campus culture on game days and now with this news, students are weighing in on Instagram, Twitter, and FIZZ, a campus platform that NSU students use to share thoughts anonymously and can only be accessed through student credentials.

A few anonymous reaction posts on FIZZ mentioned,

“Now we might have an actual chance of  winning next season.”

“Now I don’t want to hear [anybody] on the football team blaming the coach next season.”

Another student posted, “PRAISE JESUS! EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY.”

This past semester there has been a rebirth in school spirit and Spartan Pride, with an active Spartan Cavalry, (a student organization committed to school spirit) and a new student section for students to gather on game days. Yet a huge factor in keeping a healthy and engaged campus culture is athletics and their ability to win consecutively according to research. According to Simply Sport Psychology, the wins and losses don’t just impact the campus and community but also impacts the players involved no matter how long they have been in the game. A stigma surrounding athletes is one that regardless of wins and losses it’s all just a game yet for some that is not the case. 

More members on the team are processing the recent announcement. This announcement has been eye-opening for players due to the uncertainty of scholarships, future opportunities, and the trajectory of their college careers. 

Former football team manager, known as Babatunde Babayemi II, mentioned “My initial reaction was not surprising, especially seeing how the season went last year when I first started school here.”

A walk on player is also feeling the effects of this announcement. This student is now afraid of their opportunities being forfeited because of the news. While a few players asked to remain anonymous to protect thier positions, tight end and walk on, Taesean Burt mentioned, “Coach Odums gave me the opportunity to join the team as a walk-on, I am not sure now with a  new head coach I will get to continue to play.”

Jones also spoke on the team’s future adding, “With the younger guys we have there, they should be fine, but I’m not sure because the new head coach might come in and kick everybody off the team and start over from scratch, so I’m really not even sure.”

There is now a nationwide search for a new head coach as the off-season has begun for NSU. The future of the football program is in the air and many players are also concerned yet hopeful for a better season next year. 

Commenting on the change Salimonu added, “I think it may be good to get a fresh start for the program however, I think if Odums had one more year he would have seen more success.”

Stevens also added, “I hope that the next coach we get is simply a winner. We as a team have been losing close games for two years now. I hope our next coach can help us win those games.”

All eyes are on Norfolk State’s Athletics as they navigate this transition of power. There is hope that soon players will get the security of a new coach before players transfer or give up on their dreams. The positive outlook for the team is that soon NSU will bring home consecutive wins and even a title, yet there is a long road to recovery as Spartans bear this news. 

Odums working with a player. Credit: NSU Athletics.

Contributors: A’lauren Gilchrist, Myles Bland, Alauna Marable, Quiana Northern, Kyra Williams, Ian Williams, Chloe-Ryan Woolfolk.