NORMAN — Niya Butts wasn't sure what to think about the strength coach when she arrived at the University of Arizona as the head women's basketball coach in 2008.
She knew Brian Odom had a football background, spent time working with the Wildcats football program and that he might not be fully invested in helping her team out.
But in Odom, she found someone willing to do whatever it took to improve the program.
“He probably didn't bargain or sign up to get women's basketball, but he took it on and he did it with total energy, commitment,” Butts said.