Sources: Purdue keys in on UNLV coach Odom

UNLV coach Barry Odom has interviewed with Purdue officials and emerged as the target of their search, sources confirmed to ESPN on Sunday.

A deal is expected to come together in the near future, with Odom long having been a priority candidate for the Boilermakers. Purdue officials have traveled to Las Vegas to meet Odom, sources said.

Odom has gone 19-8 in two seasons at UNLV and led the Rebels to back-to-back Mountain West championship games. Along with four seasons as the head coach at Missouri, Odom has been a sought-after candidate considering his recent success and coaching history.

He would replace Ryan Walters, who went 5-19 over two seasons at Purdue and was fired after a season-ending 11-game losing streak.

Odom emerged as a top candidate in this cycle after authoring road wins over Houston and Kansas early in the season. UNLV continued to thrive after the sudden departure of quarterback Matthew Sluka, who transferred after the Rebels’ 3-0 start.

Odom brings a defensive background, as he was a star linebacker at Missouri and has worked as the defensive coordinator at Memphis, Missouri and Arkansas.

Yahoo Sports first reported Odom as Purdue’s target.