Derrick Odum finished his seventh season as the Spartans' defensive coordinator in 2023, his tenure coordinating defenses is the longest in San Jose State history. He added the title of associate head coach in February 2018. The Spartans have won 31 games over the last five seasons and have been to three bowl games in the past four seasons for the first time ever.
In 2023, his defense finished second in the Mountain West averaging just 353.2 yards per game. The Spartans pass defense finished first in the conference and 16th in the nation only letting up 186.8 yards per game. Under Odum's leadership, five Spartans made All-Mountain West defense including first year player Jay'Vion Cole who was named to the Pro Football Focus All-Mountain West Team who according to PFF "surrendered just a 40.8 passer rating when targeted this season, ranking sixth among Group of Five cornerbacks. His 86.2 grade led all Mountain West defenders, as well." The Spartans also finished the season fourth in the Mountain West and 33rd in the country with 21 turnovers gained while finishing third in the Mountain West and 36th in the nation intercepting 12 passes including one returned 98 yards for a touchdown by Michael Dansby in a 42-18 win over No. 25 Fresno State.
In 2022, he had his second Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year under him in Viliami Fehoko (Cade Hall was named in it in 2020). His defense led the Mountain West in sacks with 39 while playing in a conference low 12 games and finished fifth in the nation averaging 3.27 sacks per game. SJSU also finished averaging 7.4 tackles for loss per game which led the Mountain West and was good for eighth in the country. They also finished second in the conference with 14 interceptions and helped the Spartans to a conference regular season best +12 in turnover margin. Three players from the defensive side of the ball (Fehoko, Hall and Kyle Harmon) were named All-Mountain West First Team.
The 2020 season was a banner year for the San Jose State defense en route to the MW championship. For the first time in 30 years, the Spartans limited the opposition to less than 20 points a game and finished 15th nationally in scoring defense. San Jose State ranked in the top-10 among Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) teams in red zone defense (9th) and quarterback sacks (10th). The Spartans ended the season ranked 24 in the AP poll.
The San Jose State defense's "big play" trait began showing itself in 2019 as the Spartans ranked ninth nationally in passes intercepted and in turnover margin. The Spartans' penchant for creating takeaways was most evident in its win that season at Arkansas with five interceptions as San Jose State defeated a Southwestern Conference (SEC) opponent for the first time in school history and was named the Reveal Suits Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) Team of the Week.
His players have earned 40 all-conference awards and nine of them were selected in a National Football League draft.
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- Joined the Spartans staff after coaching Oregon State's defensive backs in 2015 and 2016 while Brennan was coaching the team's receivers.
- His 26 seasons of coaching experience includes being part of 11 teams that played in a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) bowl game, two squads that went to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoffs, and five conference champions.
- Began his coaching career at his alma mater, the University of Utah, as a graduate assistant in 1996.
- Secondary coach at SMU (2008-14)
- Safeties coach at Utah (2005-07)
- Secondary coach at Houston (2003-04)
- Secondary coach at Utah State (2000-02)
- Secondary coach at Montana (1998-99)
- The 1993 University of Utah graduate majored in political science. A two-sport athlete, he played for the 1989 through 1992 Ute football teams as a defensive back and was a center fielder on the 1992 and 1993 baseball teams.
- Has two sons, Dominic and Jeremiah, and a daughter, Ryann. Jeremiah plays on the SJSU baseball team.
| Derrick Odum facts |
| Born: April 22, 1970 in Baltimore, Md. |
| 2018-22 San José State University associate head coach/ defensive coordinator |
| 2017 San Jose State University defensive coordinator |
| 2016 Oregon State University safeties coach |
| 2015 Oregon State University defensive backs coach |
| 2008-14 SMU secondary coach |
| 2005-07 University of Utah safeties coach |
| 2003-04 University of Houston secondary coach |
| 2000-02 Utah State University secondary coach |
| 1998-99 University of Montana secondary coach |
| 1996-97 University of Utah graduate assistant |