By Bart Moss for the FCT

Russellville didn’t have to go far to find its new boys basketball coach. They didn’t even have to leave their ZIP code. But one county school’s gain will be another’s loss.

After an extensive search to replace Michael Smith, Russellville High School named Patrick Odom the new varsity boys basketball coach Tuesday morning.

Odom, who has been the varsity boys and varsity girls basketball coach for the past two years at Belgreen High School, said he didn’t go looking for the job.

“Obviously, I’m grateful to have the opportunity to lead the Russellville boys basketball program,” said Odom. “I have a lot of respect for the leadership in the Russellville City school system. I feel real comfortable with where they want the direction of this program to go, and I feel like we are on the same page.”

While Odom is excited about the opportunity to lead the Golden Tigers, he said telling his Belgreen players and colleagues was hard.

“That is probably the toughest part of a job change,” said Odom. “When we came to Belgreen we planned on being here for a long time. My family was happy. It was not something we were looking for. The opportunity presented itself. We do everything as a family. We prayed about it and felt like this was where God was leading us.”

Odom said Belgreen has “a great group of kids, boys and girls, who had bought into the program we were developing at Belgreen.” He added, “I believe in developing young people first – people of good character and integrity. It is very hard to say good-bye.

“Belgreen is a special place,” he continued. “Mrs. [Myra] Frederick, our principal at Belgreen, and I go way back, and it was hard to tell her I was leaving. She has been so good to me, and I can’t thank her enough.”

Odom, whose career record is 223-154, has a long track record of success at Belgreen and Shoals Christian. Odom has five area championships, four Northwest Regional Tournament appearances, and he has reached the Northwest Regional finals twice. He was the 2006 Times Daily Coach of the Year and the 2014 Franklin County Coach of the Year.

Although all of that success has been at the 1A level, Odom doesn’t think much will change at the 5A level other than the schedule.

“Basketball is basketball no matter what level you are playing at,” said Odom. “Obviously, the schedule and competition level will be higher than what I’m accustomed to, but that will not be a problem. I have big expectations out of myself and my teams. We will play at a high level and with class. First, however, we need to get the program going in the right direction. We want to build a program based on class and integrity. We want to develop men of character. What wins games at the 1A level wins games at the any level.”

“We want to instill a quality work ethic and develop the discipline to be successful,” he added.  “Russellville has tremendous resources and backing from leadership to get the program going in the right direction.”

Odom said he is very excited about being able to focus on only basketball and only one team. At Shoals Christian Odom wore many hats as basketball and football coach, assistant baseball coach, athletic director, Dean of Students and teacher. At Belgreen Odom coached both the varsity boys and varsity girls basketball teams and the varsity boys baseball team.

“It’s going to be exciting to just focus all my time and energy on one team,” said Odom.  “This program will need that. I don’t know the personnel that well. I look forward to getting to know them all and building talent to the level that Russellville expects.”

Russellville Athletic Director Mark Heaton said he thinks the Golden Tigers have found a gem that can lead their program in the right direction.

“We were looking for the best fit for Russellville, and Coach Odom is that fit,” said Heaton. “He is a great basketball coach and a great person. He is a man of high character and high integrity. He has had a lot of success on the basketball court, and he has been an athletic director.

“He knows how to manage a large program, and he’s been successful while doing it. We look forward to Patrick being a Golden Tiger.”

Superintendent Heath Grimes said he has seen Odom in action in various places and is excited to bring him on board.

“I think he’s a quality person of high integrity,” Grimes said. “We think he is a special person, and he will do special things here at Russellville.”

Russellville’s hire of Odom will leave Belgreen with two varsity basketball job openings – varsity boys and varsity girls. The Red Bay Tigers are also expected to hire a new varsity boys basketball coach soon.