After a 51-14 loss to Auburn in the fourth week of the season, Missouri was 1-3 and had lost three home games. The lone victory? A blowout – and meaningless – win over an FCS team.

This was not the logical point for Missouri head coach and former University of Memphis defensive coordinator Barry Odom to bow up and defend himself and his team after it just got run off its own field. But that’s what he did, showing an intensity usually hidden behind closed doors.

2. Former U of M Assistant Barry Odom To Try To ‘Fix’ Problems He Inherited at Missouri - Tuesday, August 1, 2017

Barry Odom’s first season as coach at Missouri did not go like he envisioned. A former defensive coordinator at the University of Memphis (2012-2014), Odom’s first Missouri team led the SEC in total offense last season (500.5 yards per game) while finishing last in total defense (479.7 ypg).

3. SEC Hot Seat Index: From Saban to Sumlin - Friday, July 21, 2017

When it comes to Southeastern Conference football coaches, there are three kinds of seats – hot, hotter and hottest.

There is, of course, one exception. You guessed it.

Nick Saban. To quote the late ESPN anchor Stuart Scott, Saban’s seat is as cool as the other side of your pillow.

4. Tennessee Titans Have Rarely Found Success With Drafted SEC Players - Friday, April 7, 2017

The NFL Draft is fast approaching, which raises an interesting question: Is this the year the Titans finally shop locally and target Southeastern Conference talent?

If history is any indicator, the answer: No.

5. Looks Like 10-2, SEC Title Game, Orange Bowl for UT - Monday, September 5, 2016

Editor’s note: Nashville sports correspondent Dave Link has been accurate in predicting season outcomes for the Tennessee Vols in recent years. His 2016 season predictions, released just before press time, culminates with an SEC Championship appearance. Here’s his take on the season…

6. Safe to Scorching: SEC Coaches Feel the Burn - Friday, August 12, 2016

There are two kinds of football coaches in the Southeastern Conference: those that have gotten fired and those that haven’t gotten fired – yet.

This is a conference in a constant state of flux for football. The average tenure at their current schools of the 14 SEC coaches is 3.57 years. That’s right: Just making it through a full four-year recruiting cycle is tough.

7. Impatient Clemmons Anxious for Minority Voice to Be Heard - Saturday, January 23, 2016

Democratic state Rep. John Ray Clemmons is only halfway through his first two-year term representing District 55 in Nashville. But he’s not willing to wait years to speak out or push for change.

8. College Football’s Coaching Carousel Is Still Spinning - Friday, December 4, 2015

In an ideal world, a kid climbs aboard a carousel and it’s all fun and good times. But the reality is, sometimes the experience is dizzying – even nauseating.

And so it goes with the current college football coaching carousel.

9. College Football Notebook: Memphis Coaching Search a Waiting Game - Wednesday, December 2, 2015

As this is being written, the University of Memphis coaching search is a game of wait and see. Athletic director Tom Bowen & Co. apparently remain fixed on Missouri defensive coordinator Barry Odom, who served in the same position for three seasons at Memphis before going to Missouri before the 2015 season.

10. Search Underway For New Memphis Football Coach - Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Justin Fuente is officially the new football coach at Virginia Tech, and at the University of Memphis the search for his successor has officially begun.

11. New Deputy Memphis AD Mark Alnutt Has Power Five Aspirations - Thursday, September 24, 2015

Looking back, Mark Alnutt always was an inside guy.

As a kid, this wasn’t by choice. His asthma was so bad that flare-ups would have him spending several days in hospital oxygen tents.

Not until he was in the sixth grade, when inhalers were readily available, did Alnutt get to play little league football.

12. Alabama Still Team to Beat, Tennessee On the Rise in 2015 Football Season - Friday, August 14, 2015

Dak Prescott, the best returning quarterback in the Southeastern Conference, isn’t buying the national narrative that the league is “down” because the first College Football Playoff title game featured Ohio State beating Oregon.

13. Missouri Still Overlooked Among SEC Teams - Wednesday, August 5, 2015

You can take the football team out of the Big 12, but you can’t take the Big 12 out of the football team.

Or at least that’s how it looks when one considers that the University of Missouri is still being overlooked in the Southeastern Conference despite having won consecutive SEC East Division championships.

14. Odom Leaves Tigers for Missouri Coaching Job - Saturday, January 3, 2015

Barry Odom, who had been defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Memphis, is returning to the University of Missouri to become defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and again work for Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel.

15. Odom Leaving Tigers For Missouri Coaching Job - Monday, December 29, 2014

Barry Odom, who had been defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Memphis, is returning to the University of Missouri to become defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, and again work for Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel.

16. This Year: Accomplished - Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Late in what already was an improbable and wondrous season, University of Memphis linebacker Charles Harris was talking about the contrast between life before Justin Fuente became the Tigers’ head coach and life after Fuente became head coach.

17. Lawmakers Send Budget to Governor - Wednesday, May 2, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) — The state’s more than $31 billion annual spending plan is headed to the governor after Republicans rejected Democratic efforts to make further changes to the compromise legislation.

18. House OKs New Restrictions on Abortion Doctors - Friday, March 30, 2012

NASHVILLE (AP) – A bill that puts new restrictions on doctors who perform abortions is intended to make it more difficult for women to get the procedure in Tennessee, opponents of the legislation said Thursday.

19. Casada Weighs In on Anti-Bias Legislation - Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Editor’s Note: This is an occasional series that profiles Tennessee’s state legislators. Credit his friends – and the inspiration of Ronald Reagan – with starting state Rep. Glen Casada on the road to public service.

20. Todd Apologizes for ‘Mistake’ - Tuesday, October 18, 2011

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (AP) – Gov. Bill Haslam said Monday, Oct. 17, that Tenn. Rep. Curry Todd has apologized for a “bad mistake” in being arrested on drunken driving and gun charges last week.

21. Fitzhugh Elected to Lead House Democrats - Thursday, December 16, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – House Democrats have made a change in leadership after losing 14 seats in November's elections.

The caucus on Wednesday elected House Finance Chairman Craig Fitzhugh of Ripley as minority leader. He defeated Rep. Gary Odom of Nashville, who had served as Democratic leader the previous two legislative sessions.

22. Tenn. Democrats Prepare for Election of New Leaders - Tuesday, December 14, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – Tennessee House Democrats, still recovering from the drubbing they got in the November election, are trying to begin rebuilding by choosing new leadership that could include the state's first African-American as minority leader.

23. Armed Robbery Legislation Among New Tenn. Laws - Friday, July 2, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) – Legislation that requires people convicted of armed robbery to serve most of their sentences in prison is among a number of measures that became law Thursday.

The measure increases the minimum time served for aggravated robbery with a weapon from 30 percent of the sentence to 70 percent.

24. Budget Impasse May Prolong Legislative Session - Thursday, June 3, 2010

Tennessee legislative leaders said Tuesday that a budget impasse may keep lawmakers in session at least two more weeks.

The House and Senate appeared close to reaching an agreement Tuesday after some lawmakers even met on Memorial Day to try to resolve their differences.

25. House Democrats Stress Flood Victim Help in Budget - Monday, May 24, 2010

House Democratic leaders say they’re working to give more support to Tennessee flood victims.

House Democratic Caucus Chairman Mike Turner of Nashville said Thursday that their budget plan is similar to Gov. Phil Bredesen’s proposal and makes flood victims a top priority.

26. Tenn. Resolution Urges Probe of Floodwater Release - Thursday, May 20, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee state lawmakers want their congressional counterparts to investigate the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' release of water during historic flooding in Middle Tennessee earlier this month.

27. Tenn. House Cancels Meetings for Hooks Funeral - Wednesday, April 21, 2010

NASHVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee House has canceled all committee meetings and a floor session on Wednesday so lawmakers can attend civil rights leader Benjamin Hooks' funeral in Memphis.

28. House Votes to Boost Prison Time for Robbery - Friday, April 9, 2010

The state House has passed a bill that would require people convicted of armed robbery to serve most of their sentences.

The chamber voted 88-4 Thursday for the measure sponsored by House Democratic Leader Gary Odom of Nashville to increase the minimum time served for aggravated robbery with a weapon from 30 percent of the sentence to 74 percent.

29. Tenn. House Delays Armed Robbery Sentencing Bill - Wednesday, April 7, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A proposal to boost Tennessee sentencing requirements for armed robberies was delayed in the state House on Monday over an attempt to remove a related measure to reduce prison time for certain nonviolent crimes.

30. Tenn. Bill Would Require Abortion Coercion Signs - Wednesday, March 17, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A House committee on Tuesday delayed a vote on legislation that would require abortion clinics in Tennessee to post anti-coercion signs because of concerns from some lawmakers.

31. GOP Lawmakers Look for Other Places to Make Cuts - Tuesday, March 2, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee Republican lawmakers are taking Gov. Phil Bredesen up on his challenge to find other ways to fund higher education and save 200 state employees’ jobs.

Earlier this month, the Democratic governor told lawmakers to approve his plan to eliminate a tax exemption on cable bills or find another means of funding.

32. Democratic State Rep. Ben West Says He's Retiring - Monday, February 22, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State Rep. Ben West Jr. announced Friday that he won't run for re-election this year because he wants to spend more time with his family and pursue other goals.

The Nashville Democrat said his retirement is "effective with the election in November 2010."

33. MED CEO Reacts to State Budget Cuts - Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Gov. Phil Bredesen said Monday night he plans to use the state’s reserves to spare some state jobs and key services but he stressed that painful cuts will be unavoidable and hundreds of state employees may be laid off.

34. Lawmakers Concerned About Bredesen's Revenue Plan - Wednesday, February 3, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Some Tennessee lawmakers say they're concerned about how their constituents will react to a state revenue proposal that includes taxing cable TV and hiking driver's license fees for the first time in more than 20 years.

35. House Ethics Rules Would Exclude Media Reports - Thursday, January 28, 2010

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Members of a legislative panel working to set up new House ethics rules agreed Wednesday that they don't want complaints to be filed based on media reports.

The proposed rules that advanced to a full floor vote would require at least one independent source other than "newspaper or other media" reports.

36. Paul Stanley's Fall From Grace - Monday, August 17, 2009

Jim Kyle, a Memphis Democrat who serves as minority leader in the state Senate, gave the first lunchtime address of 2009 to the Memphis Rotary Club.

Rotarians got a bird’s-eye view of the state’s financial picture from Kyle, who described choices needed to close the state’s budget shortfall. Kyle this week announced his candidacy in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

37. Speaker Asks Lawmakers To Curtail Workdays - Friday, August 7, 2009

Tennessee House leaders say Speaker Kent Williams’ request for lawmakers to minimize their workdays at the state Capitol this summer and fall is fiscally necessary and most of their colleagues agree.

38. Opposing Budget Aims May Complicate End of Session - Wednesday, June 10, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – The completion of this year’s legislative session is being complicated by competing budget goals from opposite sides of the aisle.

Democrats want to make fewer cuts than Gov. Phil Bredesen has proposed, while Republicans support even deeper ones.

39. Bill Would Allow Local Menu Labeling Requirement - Wednesday, May 20, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A bill advancing in the House would allow local governments to decide whether to require restaurants to provide calorie counts on menus.

The proposal sponsored by Republican Rep. Susan Lynn of Mt. Juliet originally sought to ban any state or local government from requiring calorie counts.

40. Tenn. House Postpones Vote on Child Support Bill - Friday, May 8, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Lawmakers debated a bill Thursday that would let a person recoup child support payments if he's proven not to have fathered the child, then sent it back to the judiciary committee.

41. Grocery Store Wine Sales Abandoned in Legislature - Thursday, April 16, 2009

The push to allow Tennessee to join dozens of other states in allowing wine to be sold in supermarkets was abandoned Wednesday.

The proposal to revise the state liquor law was withdrawn from consideration in the House Local Government Subcommittee.

42. Tenn. House Speaker Welcomed Back to GOP Caucus - Thursday, March 12, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - House Republicans are welcoming back Speaker Kent Williams as a member of their caucus, marking the latest twist in the fallout from his surprise election to the chamber's top post earlier this year.

43. $1B of Tax Exempt Properties Owned Outside Tenn. - Thursday, March 5, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - State records show $1 billion worth of commercial rental properties that qualify for a controversial tax break are owned by investors who live outside Tennessee.

State Revenue Department figures obtained by The Associated Press show a total of about 3,200 businesses are registered as family owned non-corporate entities, or FONCEs. They own a total of about $5.1 billion in properties that are exempt from corporate taxes.

44. Lawmakers Differ on Education Funding Proposal - Tuesday, February 17, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Lawmakers from both parties agree that K-12 education in Tennessee should be a priority, but they disagree over legislation that would fund it out of an education budget separate from the rest of the state's spending plan.

45. Illnesses Force Temp. Speaker In Tennessee House - Thursday, February 12, 2009

The absence of the top two leaders in the Tennessee House Wednesday forced the chamber, which has been in turmoil since it convened, to consider the election of a temporary speaker.

House Speaker Kent Williams has returned home to Elizabethton to be with his ailing mother, while Speaker Pro Tempore Lois DeBerry of Memphis has been away since being hospitalized earlier this month with an unspecified illness.

46. Dem Says Williams Foe Offers Deal for Chairmanship - Friday, January 30, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Democratic lawmakers told The Associated Press on Thursday that Republican Rep. Brian Kelsey offered to tamp down attacks against new House Speaker Kent Williams in exchange for a committee chairmanship.

47. Tenn. House Pitched Into Uncertainty by Speaker Vote - Thursday, January 15, 2009

NASHVILLE (AP) – The surprise election of Republican Rep. Kent Williams as speaker of the Tennessee House has heightened the atmosphere of uncertainty in an already closely divided chamber.

48. House Picks Repub Speaker But Not One GOP Wanted - Wednesday, January 14, 2009

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee House has its first Republican speaker in 40 years, but the lawmaker who won did it without the support of the GOP.

Rep. Kent Williams of Elizabethton upset Rep. Jason Mumpower of Bristol on Tuesday on a vote of 50-49 after Democrats banded together to nominate and support him.

49. Democrats Pick Odom As House Minority Leader - Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Rep. Gary Odom of Nashville won the position of minority leader of the state House despite efforts from Gov. Phil Bredesen to replace him.

50. Tenn. Could Cut More State Jobs if Tax Bill Fails - Friday, May 16, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - If lawmakers and the governor can't agree on a proposal to end a family business tax break, the legislature could replace projected savings from it by cutting more jobs.

House Majority Leader Gary Odom, a Nashville Democrat, said Wednesday that he's unhappy with the late introduction - and the uncertain impact - of Gov. Phil Bredesen's proposal to get rid of a $15 million tax break for family-owned businesses.

51. Disagreement Could Mean More State Job Cuts - Thursday, May 15, 2008

A disagreement between lawmakers and the governor over a tax bill could lead to more state jobs being cut.

House Majority Leader Gary Odom, a Nashville Democrat, said he’s unhappy with the late introduction – and the uncertain impact – of the governor’s proposal to end a $15 million tax break for family-owned businesses.

52. Bredesen's Budget Plan Questioned by Fellow Democrats - Wednesday, May 14, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen's budget cut proposal is drawing pointed questions from lawmakers in his own party.

Administration officials were asked to give more details about buyout packages for state employees and to explain an array of other cuts totaling $468 million in a joint meeting of the House and Senate finance committees on Tuesday.

53. House Thrown Into Chaos Over Abortion Amendment - Friday, May 2, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - The House was thrown into chaos on Thursday over a failed Republican maneuver to try to resurrect an anti-abortion amendment.

Rep. Bill Dunn, a Knoxville Republican, attached a measure to bring the anti-abortion amendment to the floor to an unrelated resolution on legislative meeting times.

54. GOP Fails to Add English Requirement to Unrelated House Bill - Friday, April 18, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - House Republicans failed Thursday in an attempt to attach a proposal to allow employers to require workers to speak English to an unrelated bill about sewage systems.

The House voted 51-46 to reject the amendment sponsored by Rep. Matthew Hill, a Jonesborough Republican. A similar measure had previously passed the Senate but failed in a House subcommittee last month.

55. Bill to Close Access to State Employees' Home Addresses Advances - Wednesday, March 26, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - A proposal to close public access to state and local employees' home addresses and phone numbers is advancing in the state House.

House Majority Leader Gary Odom, a Nashville Democrat, says he is sponsoring the proposal to help protect those workers from harassment.

56. Tenn. Bills Would Close Access to Public Employees' Contact Info - Wednesday, February 27, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - Tennessee lawmakers are considering proposals to close public employees' home addresses, phone numbers and dates of birth from public inspection.

Supporters say the measures would protect state and local government workers from vindictive citizens, but others worry about balancing the public's right to know.

57. Bill Would Move Up Qualifying Deadline for Presidential Primary - Wednesday, February 27, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - Legislation that would move up the qualifying deadline for the presidential primary is headed now to the governor.

The measure, sponsored by House Majority Leader Gary Odom, a Nashville Democrat, unanimously passed the House on Monday. It unanimously passed the Senate earlier this month.

58. Lawmakers Convene, Prepare for Lottery Scholarship Debate - Wednesday, January 9, 2008

NASHVILLE (AP) - Debates over proposals to change lottery scholarship rules are expected to feature heavily in the second session of the 105th General Assembly that convened Tuesday.

Democrats argue that the $4,000 lottery scholarships should be made easier to retain by lowering the required grade point averages. Students must currently average at least a B-minus the first year and a B every year after.

59. Thoughts Shift to HOPE as Legislative Session Nears - Monday, December 24, 2007

Instead of wrapping up their legislative calendar by Memorial Day as they'd hoped to do, members of the Tennessee General Assembly earlier this year got bogged down until the last minute on unfinished business.

60. Senate Democratic Leader Basks in Role of 'Head Cowboy' - Friday, June 15, 2007

NASHVILLE (AP) - State Senate Democratic Leader Jim Kyle of Memphis was in a celebratory mood as the legislative session drew to a close last week.

Democrats had lost control of the Senate earlier in the year with the election of Republican Speaker Ron Ramsey, but still managed to shepherd most of Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen's agenda toward passage.

61. House Democrats Propose 3-Cent Cigarette Tax to Aid Veterans - Friday, June 8, 2007

NASHVILLE - The Legislature already has sent a 42-cent increase in the state's tax on each pack of cigarettes for the governor's signature. Now some lawmakers want more.

House Democrats advanced a bill Wednesday to hike the cigarette tax by an additional 3 cents per pack to pay for veterans' homes and scholarships.

62. Tennessee Legislators Argue Prominent Road Names - Wednesday, April 4, 2007
     Tennessee state legislators mixed it up in the state capitol recently over resolutions honoring political luminaries from the state - who also happen to adhere to opposing political parties.
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63. Tennessee Legislators Argue Prominent Road Names - Wednesday, April 4, 2007
     Tennessee state legislators mixed it up in the state capitol recently over resolutions honoring political luminaries from the state - who also happen to adhere to opposing political parties.
    &

64. Archived Article: Benchmark - Thursday, June 19, 2003
Oracle boosts PeopleSoft takeover bid

Oracle boosts PeopleSoft takeover bid

Oracle Corp., the No. 2 U.S.-based global software maker, Wednesday sweetened its hostile cash bid for PeopleSoft Inc. by 22 percent to about $6.3 billion, the latest ...