Coach O'Dell is in his second season as Director of Athletic Performance at Ottawa University.
O’Dell oversees the Braves Athletic Performance Center, its staff, and the strength and conditioning of all 33 OU Brave athletic teams. The 9,100 square foot BAPC is in the heart of the campus and is a state of the art athletic facility. It is equipped with 28 lifting racks, free weights, cardio equipment, cable machines, indoor turf, and a dedicated area with specialized equipment for the OU powerlifting teams.
Before coming to Ottawa University, O’Dell was the Director of Strength and Conditioning from August 2013 to April 2023. While at ECU, O’Dell was named a Master Strength and Conditioning Coach (MSCC) on May 6, 2021 at the 2021 Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) National Convention. It is the highest honor given in the strength and conditioning profession. As of 2022, he is one of 246 in the MSCC. O’Dell birthed, planned, and started the successful launching of the ECU powerlifting program in 2022.
Prior to his time at ECU, O’Dell was the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach for all sports at William Jewell College from June 2011 to June 2013. While at WJC, he spent one year as an assistant defensive line coach for the Cardinal football program and served as the football strength and conditioning coach.
O’Dell also spent two years in the professional ranks. From March 2007 to March 2009, he was member of the strength and conditioning staff of the NFL’s Washington Commanders.
Before joining the Washington Commanders’ staff, O’Dell was the Associate Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the University of California, Berkeley (CAL) from June 2002 to June 2006. While at CAL, he coached first round draft picks Nnamdi Asomugha, Kyle Boller, Aaron Rodgers, Marshawn Lynch, Alex Mack, and second round draft pick, DeSean Jackson. O’Dell was also part of CAL football teams that were selected to play in the Insight Bowl, Holiday Bowl, and Las Vegas Bowl. O’Dell also coached 2008 Beijing Olympic Softball Silver Medalist, Vicky Galindo.
Prior to his time at CAL, O’Dell was a graduate assistant in the strength and conditioning program at San Jose State University (SJSU) from January 2021 to July 2022. He was a graduate assistant physical education teacher at the University of Central Missouri (UCM) from August 2000 to December 2000. O’Dell was also a strength and conditioning student assistant at Kansas State University (KSU).
O’Dell is the author of the sports performance book, The Power Revolution published by Coaches Choice in 2011. He has also authored a chapter on speed, agilities and plyometrics for the text book, The PowerRey Way that was published in 2022. O’Dell’s training is featured in STACK Strength and Conditioning Magazine for athletes, Training and Conditioning magazine, and American Football Coaches Association magazine, This is AFCA.
O’Dell has several certifications. He is a certified strength and conditioning coach, a certified strength and conditioning specialist, is United States of America Track and Field certified, and is certified by Functional Movement Solutions. O’Dell was also a speaker for Frank Glazier Clinics, Nike Coach of the Year Clinics, and National Strength and Conditioning Association Clinics and Conferences. He has a Brown Sash instructor ranking in Jeet Kune Do. O’Dell is also a Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCa) approved mentor.
He graduated from SJSU with a masters of arts in kinesiology with an emphasis in sports management in December of 2002. O’Dell earned a bachelor of science in sports science at UCM in August of 2000. He earned bachelor of science in psychology at William Jewell College where was a member of the Cardinal football program.
