South Carolina's Dave Odom to retire after this season

COLUMBIA, S.C. - South Carolina coach Dave Odom stood on the court at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday night and soaked in his struggling team's 70-66 victory over Arkansas.

Only hours earlier, Odom had decided it was time for him to retire after 22 years as a head college basketball coach. Savoring a win some of his critics didn't think he'd get, Odom closed his eyes and smiled.

``The Lord really does take care of us, doesn't he?'' the 65-year-old Odom recalled Friday when he announced his retirement.

In seven seasons, Odom coached South Carolina to the NCAA tournament in 2004 and back-to-back NIT titles the following two years. However, he could never duplicate the success he had during 12 seasons at Wake Forest. He had come under increased pressure from fans for the team's ragged and inconsistent play. The Gamecocks are 9-8 overall and 1-2 in the Southeastern Conference.

``I'm not at the end, but I can see it,'' Odom said. ``Truly, I'm on the back end of not only my career, but my life.''

Odom said athletics director Eric Hyman wanted him to serve the final years of his contract through 2010. However, the coach thought ceding the program to someone new would be best for his players.

Devan Downey, the SEC's second-leading scorer at 19.6 points a game, said Odom explained, ``there were a whole lot of people holding a grudge toward him'' that affected the support of the team.

Odom made one point clear the sports talk shows and Internet chat rooms did not force him out.

``There will be those, through you (the media), who will stick their chest out and say 'We got it done. We were loud and we were angry and our voice was heard and a change was made,''' Odom said. ``And I will tell you without any fear of contradiction, those people could not be further from the truth.''

Odom had thought about his future since last spring. Come summer, Odom did not feel the spark and excitement he usually does with the approaching season.

Odom made up his mind after recent home games, when he saw a sluggish crowd atmosphere that he said didn't help his players.

``If you take me out of the equation, the voices of dissent can now be in total support of our basketball team,'' Odom said.

Guard Zam Fredrick, playing his first season after transferring from Georgia Tech, said Odom's decision might relieve some pressure surrounding the program.

``He said he did it for us, and I believe him,'' Fredrick said. ``I'm still going to listen to him and I support his decision.''

Odom has had four 20-win seasons with South Carolina, the last in 2005-06.

Despite going 14-16 a year ago, Odom expected this team to make the NCAA tournament this year. He says he has not given up on the season.

``This team right now is sitting on a launching pad waiting on the right ignition,'' Odom said.

Some may disagree, considering South Carolina's season so far.

The Gamecocks dropped close games to North Carolina State and George Mason in November. They blew a 20-point lead at home to Baylor, had to rally from 15 points behind to defeat College of Charleston and were outscored 10-0 down the stretch in a demoralizing loss, 61-58, to North Carolina-Asheville at home.

They started 0-2 in the SEC for the third straight year before beating Arkansas. Odom team has struggled in the SEC at 37-62.

Odom is 401-268 in 22 years as head coach with South Carolina, Wake Forest (1990-2001) and East Carolina (1980-82).

Hyman would not talk about his upcoming search. ``This is Dave's day,'' he said.

Odom came to South Carolina before the 2001-02 season after 12 seasons at Wake Forest, where he reached the NCAA tournament eight times with standouts such as Tim Duncan, Rodney Rogers and Randolph Childress.

Right away, he took South Carolina to the postseason, reaching the finals of the 2002 NIT where it lost to Memphis. Two years later, the Gamecocks made their only NCAA trip, also losing to Memphis in a first-round game. South Carolina followed that with its two NIT championships.

Odom hopes he can finish his career on a positive note. Soon after the Arkansas game, it hit him that he'll be doing things during the next few months for the last time.

``I can tell you, I'm going to enjoy every minute of it because I'm going to do it to the max,'' he said.