The Phantom Call

From Desert Mirage to Mountain West Power

Las Vegas is a city of reinvention, where dreams are built on neon and nerve. For decades, the UNLV football program was more mirage than reality—a flickering promise in a town dominated by slot machines and showgirls. Enter Barry Odom, a linebacker-turned-coach from Oklahoma, who in just two seasons transformed the Rebels from Mountain West afterthought to Group of Five contender. By December 2024, Odom had led UNLV to a 10-3 record, a No. 19 AP ranking, and a second straight Mountain West Championship Game appearance, falling 21-7 to Boise State. His departure to Purdue on December 8, 2024, left a program forever changed, with new coach Dan Mullen tasked with sustaining the renaissance. This is the story of UNLV’s 2024 surge under Odom, the blueprint he left behind, and the path to Group of Five greatness in 2025—all grounded in facts, with a wink at the absurdity of turning a Vegas underdog into a football force.

The 2024 Season: A Historic Run

UNLV’s 2024 season was a masterclass in defying expectations. Picked to finish fifth in the Mountain West preseason poll, the Rebels instead roared to a 10-2 regular season, tying the program’s record for most wins, set in 1984 when Randall Cunningham was quarterback. The season began with a 27-24 upset at Houston, where transfer quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, stepping in after starter Matthew Sluka’s abrupt exit, threw for 182 yards and two touchdowns. A 72-14 rout of Utah Tech followed, with running back Jai’Den Thomas rushing for 127 yards and three scores. The Rebels then stunned Kansas 23-20 in Kansas City, with Sluka’s 124 rushing yards earning UNLV a No. 25 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll—their first since moving to Division I in 1978.

A 45-27 loss at home to Fresno State snapped the 3-0 start, but UNLV rebounded with a 59-14 thrashing of Fresno State, where Williams accounted for four total touchdowns. A 33-25 win at Oregon State showcased resilience, with linebacker Jackson Woodard recording 10 tackles and a sack. A 29-24 loss to No. 17 Boise State at Allegiant Stadium was competitive, but UNLV rattled off five straight wins afterward: 29-27 at Hawaii, 41-20 over San Diego State, 27-16 at San Jose State, 38-14 over Nevada to reclaim the Fremont Cannon, and a 49-21 rout of Syracuse. The Nevada win clinched a Mountain West Championship berth, moving UNLV to No. 20 in the AP Poll—the highest ranking in school history.

The championship game against No. 10 Boise State was a defensive slugfest, with UNLV holding star running back Ashton Jeanty to 94 yards on 25 carries, but the Rebels fell 21-7 after Williams threw two interceptions. UNLV capped the season with a 24-13 loss to California in the LA Bowl on December 18, 2024, under interim coach Del Alexander, as Odom had already left for Purdue. The 10-3 record marked UNLV’s first back-to-back bowl appearances and only the third double-digit win season in program history. The Rebels averaged 34.8 points per game (20th nationally) and allowed 22.5 points defensively, with a plus-10 turnover margin (12th nationally).

Barry Odom: The Architect of the Turnaround

Barry Odom, hired on December 6, 2022, after three years as Arkansas’s defensive coordinator, brought a no-nonsense intensity to UNLV. A former Missouri linebacker (1996-1999) and head coach (2016-2019, 25-25 record), Odom was no stranger to adversity, having been fired by Missouri in 2019 after a 6-6 season. His UNLV tenure began with a 9-5 record in 2023, the program’s best since 1984, earning him Mountain West Coach of the Year honors. In April 2024, UNLV extended his contract through 2028, with a base salary of $400,000 and total compensation of $1.75 million, rising to $2.4 million by 2028.

Odom’s blueprint was built on three pillars: a high-octane offense, a disruptive defense, and a culture of accountability. He hired offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, whose “Go-Go Offense” averaged 412.7 yards per game in 2023 and 416.3 in 2024, using up-tempo plays and misdirection to overwhelm defenses. Defensively, Odom and coordinator Mike Scherer installed a 3-3-5 scheme that tied for fourth nationally with 17 interceptions in 2023 and notched 15 in 2024. Odom’s practice structure, inspired by Georgia’s under Kirby Smart, gave equal reps to starters and backups, building depth that proved critical after Sluka’s departure. His mantra—“habits create opportunities”—resonated, as seen in the team’s 38-14 rout of Nevada, where disciplined play led to three forced turnovers.

Odom’s impact extended beyond the field. UNLV drew over 40,000 fans for games against Boise State and Nevada at Allegiant Stadium, averaging a program-record 32,202 per home game in 2024. His bull-riding stunt at a “Horns Helmets” event during 2023 spring practice endeared him to Vegas’s showman spirit, while his social media clapback at UNR coach Jeff Choate—posting a red-painted Fremont Cannon—rallied Rebel fans. Odom’s departure to Purdue, where he signed a six-year, $39 million deal, was bittersweet but predictable; his $1.75 million salary ranked 74th among FBS coaches, making him one of USA Today’s most underpaid in 2024.

The Sluka Saga and Williams’ Emergence

The 2024 season nearly derailed after quarterback Matthew Sluka, a Holy Cross transfer, left the team after three games over a name, image, and likeness (NIL) dispute. Sluka, who passed for 318 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 253 yards, claimed UNLV failed to honor a $100,000 NIL deal, though athletic director Erick Harper denied any formal agreement. Sluka’s exit on September 24, 2024, sparked national headlines, but Odom’s steady leadership kept the team focused. Hajj-Malik Williams, a Campbell transfer, stepped in seamlessly, starting the final nine games. Williams completed 62.4% of his passes for 2,107 yards, 17 touchdowns, and six interceptions, while rushing for 819 yards and 11 scores. His dual-threat ability—evident in a 262-yard, three-touchdown performance against Syracuse—earned him All-Mountain West Second Team honors.

The quarterback transition highlighted Odom’s transfer portal prowess. UNLV added 21 transfers for 2024, including Williams, Sluka, running back Kylin James (Central Arkansas), and defensive back Jalen Catalon (Arkansas/Texas). Catalon, a former All-SEC safety, recorded 67 tackles and two interceptions, while James rushed for 614 yards. The portal also brought linebacker Jackson Woodard from Arkansas, who won the 2024 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year award with 94 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Woodard, a finalist for the William V. Campbell Trophy, became UNLV’s first “Academic Heisman” nominee.

Standout Performers and Awards

UNLV’s 2024 roster was a testament to Odom’s recruiting and development. Wide receiver Ricky White III, a Preseason Group of Five All-American, caught 71 passes for 1,039 yards and nine touchdowns, doubling as a punt blocker and earning Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year. Freshman kicker Caden Chittenden, named Mountain West Freshman of the Year, went 18-for-22 on field goals, with a 52-yard long. Linebacker Antonio Doyle Jr. (73 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and cornerback Tony Grimes (44 tackles, two interceptions) bolstered the defense, while running back Jai’Den Thomas (847 yards, 10 touchdowns) powered the ground game.

The Rebels’ 15 All-Mountain West selections in 2024, including eight first-teamers, underscored their dominance. Woodard, White, and Chittenden swept the conference’s top individual awards, while Odom was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. The team’s plus-10 turnover margin and 28 takeaways (ninth nationally) reflected Scherer’s aggressive 3-3-5 scheme, which held opponents to 4.8 yards per play.

The Mullen Era Begins

Odom’s exit to Purdue, announced hours after the Boise State loss, could have triggered chaos, but UNLV acted swiftly. On December 11, 2024, athletic director Erick Harper hired Dan Mullen, former head coach at Florida (2018-2021) and Mississippi State (2009-2017), with a 103-61 career record and two SEC Coach of the Year awards. Mullen, who led Florida to an 11-2 record and Orange Bowl win in 2019, brings Power Four pedigree to a program now seen as a Group of Five powerhouse. His five-year contract, with funding secured for the first two years, signals UNLV’s ambition to sustain Odom’s momentum.

Mullen inherits a roster with holes but potential. Williams, Woodard, and White are gone to graduation or the NFL Draft, and transfers like running back Greg Burrell and cornerback Tony Grimes entered the portal post-Odom. However, running back Jai’Den Thomas (two years of eligibility) and kicker Caden Chittenden return, alongside offensive lineman Jalen St. John and defensive back Jalen Catalon. Mullen, known for developing quarterbacks like Dak Prescott and Tim Tebow, will likely target a portal quarterback to replace Williams. UNLV’s 2025 recruiting class, bolstered by Odom’s 18 signees in 2024, includes three-star prospects like receiver Corey Bailey and linebacker Parker Meese, though Meese followed Odom to Purdue.

The 2025 Outlook: Chasing the CFP

UNLV’s 2025 schedule, not yet finalized, will feature Mountain West staples like San Diego State, Hawaii, and Nevada, plus non-conference games against Power Four opponents, likely including UCLA (confirmed for August 30, 2025, at the Rose Bowl). The Rebels’ 2024 wins over Houston, Kansas, and Syracuse prove they can compete with bigger programs, but Boise State remains the Mountain West’s Goliath, having beaten UNLV twice in 2024. The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff guarantees a Group of Five spot, and UNLV’s No. 19 ranking in 2024 put them in the conversation—Boise State claimed the bid with an 11-1 record.

Mullen’s challenge is to maintain Odom’s defensive intensity and offensive tempo while imprinting his own style, likely a pro-style offense with a mobile quarterback. The Go-Go Offense may evolve, but Marion’s potential retention as offensive coordinator could preserve its core. Defensively, Scherer’s departure to Purdue with Odom leaves a gap, but cornerbacks coach Akeem Davis, named to the AFCA’s 35 Under 35 Leadership Institute, could step up. UNLV’s 2024 home attendance (32,202 average) and Allegiant Stadium’s NFL-caliber facilities give Mullen a platform to recruit and rally fans.

A 9-3 or 10-2 season in 2025 is plausible if Mullen secures a capable quarterback and limits portal losses. Beating Boise State, a feat UNLV hasn’t accomplished since 2019, is the key to a Mountain West title and CFP berth. The Rebels’ 2024 losses (Fresno State, Boise State, Cal) were by a combined 25 points, showing they’re close to elite. Mullen’s SEC experience and recruiting ties in Florida and Texas could elevate UNLV’s talent pool, especially in the NIL era, where Vegas’s entertainment allure is a draw.

The Odom Blueprint: A Lasting Legacy

Odom’s two years at UNLV rewrote the program’s narrative. Before his arrival, the Rebels had one winning season since 2000 and four bowl appearances in their history. Odom delivered 19 wins, two bowl games, and two Mountain West title game berths, proving Vegas could sustain a college football identity alongside the Raiders, Golden Knights, and Aces. His transfer portal strategy—landing stars like Woodard, Williams, and Catalon—balanced with high school recruiting (48 signees in two classes) built a sustainable roster. His 3-3-5 defense and Go-Go Offense became UNLV’s calling cards, and his community engagement, from bull-riding to fan-packed games, made football matter in Vegas.

Mullen inherits a program no longer a steppingstone but a destination. UNLV’s $1.75 million coaching salary, while modest, attracted a coach of Mullen’s caliber, a testament to Odom’s work. The Rebels’ 2025 season will test whether the renaissance is a flashpoint or a foundation. If Mullen can replicate Odom’s 10-win magic, UNLV could crash the CFP party, turning Vegas’s neon dreams into gridiron reality. For now, the Scarlet and Gray are no mirage—they’re a force, and the desert is trembling.