Jeff Odom

Thank you all for the kind words, and for following and reading my work over the years.

Having the opportunity to cover this program and share the stories of those in and around it was the best feeling. None of it would have been possible without Greg and Joey taking a chance on me, and some great mentors and editors along the way.

As a proud USF alum, I'm looking forward to having the chance to watch and enjoy what should be a fun season with all of you  -- without the pressure of deadlines and Internet connectivity issues, of course.

 

Some observations:

 

• Glad that they're putting a Football Preview out, but geez. I know the state of the football program is bad and it's journalism, but can the Football Preview at least highlight some reasons for fans to show up? Sad Taggart doesn't make me want to spend my Saturdays at Ray Jay.

   

• Excluding the cover, I counted 15 pages of ads out of 22 pages of space. Otherwise, we got a page on the Respect-A-Bull campaign, some half page fillers such as depth charts and schedules, a spread on the sorry state of the team (including a panorama of the empty stadium), and a uniform feature. I'm pumped.

   

• Seriously, though, there's a couple of OK pieces (a highlight of Mack and a few small profiles of several players) but nothing providing much insight. It's OK for the casual fan, but doesn't appear that much thought was put into it.

   

• My favorite is the 'Scouting USF's slate of opponents' article which features such hits from Jeff Odom such as: On Temple's 2014 season: "If it weren't for a skid in which they lost five of seven down the stretch, the Owls would have been in conversation for the conference title." On the Syracuse game: "One of the Big East's best rivalries finally returns."

 

I can assure you that there was plenty of thought put into the entire section as well as countless hours spent by myself, other editors and advertising students to put everything together in about a week. My job isn't to be a cheerleader for the program. I believe the facts are well known and it's all laid out in the piece.

Regardless, I do appreciate you (and everyone else,, for that matter) taking the time to read it and respond to the stories. Between juggling a full load of classes and the daily edition, it was a lot of work.

Hey, all,

Thanks for sharing my column and for the interesting discussion. ... Just a heads up, some of what was published in the Oracle got flubbed up during the editing process, so I decided to publish the original story on my Tumblr page. Most of it is the same aside from a couple words here and there, if you're interested.

Link: http://odomjeff.tumblr.com/post/121023215485/desperate-times-desperate-coach

As always, thanks for reading.

I don't see why USF still gives him info before anyone else.  What an ass:  And why he still is interested in ragging on USF?  Only supports that he still has a problem even after his relationships with Erskin, Grothe and Miller paved his way to ESPN.

 

What a tool

 

My apologies if that RT came off as brash ... I thought it was an interesting (albeit nonsensical) statistic. 

Did you guys know Publix now has waffle/syrup chicken strip? And they make a sandwhich!

It even comes coated with powdered sugar. 

 

 

 

@Danny_Morales_: @ByJeffOdom Taggart told me at media day in Rhode Island that Dunkley will be playing DB this season. No more WR.

 

It's MIND BLOWING to me that this, along with the Pierre injury, went TOTALLY UNREPORTED.  I have tried to give the guys covering us a break but what are the papers paying these guys for?

 

 

This is the kind of nit picking bs that's TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. If you HAVE to be pissed at someone about this be pissed at CWT for not telling anybody before .... and pray tell me, what's the BIG DEAL?? We know when it counts, at the start of football ..... SHEESH.

 

 

-Our likely starting running back has a career ending injury.

-A guy who was on national watchlists and set to be a starter at the WR spot is moved to defense.

 

These are both huge pieces of news that deserve to be reported in breaking news fashion.  Beat reporters are asleep at the wheel.

 

You do realize we don't have access during the summer, right? ... We put the news out there as soon as we found out. 

Also, it wasn't "TOTALLY UNREPORTED" ... We mentioned back in the spring that Dunkley was playing both ways. He told me today he still is, but Taggart is keeping him at DB for now unless he feels the need to move him.

It's Day 1 of a four-month season. Geesh.

TuneIn has WUSF but not WXBL.

 

So I go to the WXBL website and see this WTF??????????

 

 

Bringing you a better Bulls Radio... To our valued listeners, The staff of Bulls Radio would like to inform you that Bulls Radio will be on a partial broadcast hiatus. Due to the fact that Bulls Radio is in a transitional phase to bring better services to our listeners, our programming will be temporarily unavailable for streaming online, the TuneIn application and on HD Radio. In addition to this, our student-hosted radio shows will also be taking a hiatus until further notice. We appreciate the continued support we receive from you. Although we regret limiting our programming for this short period of time, we ensure that this transition will result in providing a better listening experience for all.  We encourage you to tune in to 1620 AM to enjoy our usual music rotation. Again, thank you for your loyalty and support. Sincerely, The Bulls Radio Staff

 

http://bullsradio.org/

It's summertime ... No one has really been there except maybe Kevin Weiss and I. Plus, they are going through some staff changes, (new director, filling out positions, etc.). Everything will be up and running by the start of the fall semester.

For future note, the Tune-in link is: http://tunein.com/radio/WMNF-HD2-885-s126847/ 

I forgot WXBL is WMNF-HD2 on the FM dial. 

98.7 didn't stream the games online...only over the radio

You can stream the WXBL, Bulls Radio, coverage for games, I believe. The station's website works or the TuneIn radio app.

Chicken tender dinner on sale for $5.99 this week.

 

 

 

Josh texted me and said he doesn't have an account on here.

 

Need to fix that unfortunate situation, asap.

 

BTW, WTF is Josh???

 

 

Josh Appel is a sophomore Mass Communications student at the University of South Florida, Josh Served as the Sports Coordinator during the 2012-2013 school year and has been working in the radio and TV broadcasting industry since the age of 14. In his time as an intern in the Ft. Lauderdale/Miami area, Josh has interned for personalities such as ESPN's Dan LeBatard. In addition to being a fan of USF Athletics, Josh is a die-hard Florida Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, and Miami Marlins fan.

 

http://bullsradio.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=1071&Itemid=156

 

 

 

what did he do at the radio station when he was 14?

 

one of his parents must have worked there

He's really, really good at what he does. I think he anchored sports updates for the station in Miami. 

Josh texted me and said he doesn't have an account on here.

At 11:42 am, EST I was informed by my local Publix that they had removed their sandwich press and if it hasn't already happened at yours, it will soon. Sad day, everyone.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe the Publix at Van Dyke and Dale Mabry still has theirs up and running.

 

 

Home:

UCF(This should just be a given.)

UCONN(Announced their conference schedule they are coming here.)

East Carolina(Announced their conference schedule they are coming here.)

Away:

Cinncy(Is a confirmed road game.)

SMU(Announced their schedule and we are playing in Dallas.)

Not playing:

Temple(Announced their schedule and were not on it)

Leaving us with the possibility of Houston, Tulsa, or Tulane as the last home game, and Memphis, Tulsa or Tulane as the possibilities of the final 2 road games.

Crossing my fingers for Tulane so we can have a New Orleans roadie.

Do you have a link to this information? Only SMU has been officially released from what I have found. I don't see any other schedules that have been released/announced. 

 

I think he is referencing this article:

http://www.voodoofive.com/football/2014/1/31/5363948/usf-footballs-2014-american-athletic-conference-schedule-coming

 

Thanks!

Home:

UCF(This should just be a given.)

UCONN(Announced their conference schedule they are coming here.)

East Carolina(Announced their conference schedule they are coming here.)

Away:

Cinncy(Is a confirmed road game.)

SMU(Announced their schedule and we are playing in Dallas.)

Not playing:

Temple(Announced their schedule and were not on it)

Leaving us with the possibility of Houston, Tulsa, or Tulane as the last home game, and Memphis, Tulsa or Tulane as the possibilities of the final 2 road games.

Crossing my fingers for Tulane so we can have a New Orleans roadie.

Do you have a link to this information? Only SMU has been officially released from what I have found. I don't see any other schedules that have been released/announced. 

Hey, all,

I just wanted to let the board know that from the middle of February through the end of March, if you follow me on the Tweeter machine, you will see a few baseball updates on your timeline. 

Just wanted to give you all a heads up to let you know when you see them, I haven't left the USF Bulls beat for the Times, just working for the Associated Press to cover some MLB spring training and camp (likely the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin).

As always, I will answer any of your USF-related questions if you tweet at me (@byjeffodom) and on here ... or if you're a baseball fan, I can answer those too.

Also, don't forget, Joey Knight can answer questions as well and he has your constant stream of USF news at @TBTimes_Bulls, or online, at tampabay.com/blogs/bulls.

Thanks for reading and your support!

- Jeff

 

 

 

 

 

http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/

They still have the flying goat logo. Why can't the local paper even get it right?

That right-hand "scoreboard" section of TBO's website (it's the same on tampabay.com, just above the main image) where the box score of a specific game or an upcoming USF schedule is listed with the old Bulls logo is not run by TBO. It's run by a third-party service called "The Sports Network" and sportsnetwork.com, which supplies statistics and other numbers in real-time to most news outlets for their websites. It usually depends on the day, because I've seen both the old and new logos used in that info box. Rest assured neither newspaper has control over it.

- Jeff

So Jeff, what you're really saying is that you've seen it and you're okay with it or it isn't worth calling anyone. You could have left it at that. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you've never even tried to have any "...control over it." To say, "Rest assured neither newspaper has control over it." is exactly the point of this post and others on this board regarding the interest in USF sports. I'm betting you never even tried to contact this service (that I'm assuming you pay for to help provide your product to your customers) to attempt get them to quit using the old logo. Again why? Because it just doesn't bother you enough that our school logo is improperly represented to pick up the phone.

You may ask, "Okay Boomer, have you tried to call them? My answer would be, "No." "Why not?" "Because I don't care enough to."

There you go - it's that easy.

My apologies. I was just trying be nice and clear the air about any misunderstandings anyone may have about the local newspapers and their relationship with the service.

No apologies really needed here, Jeff. His post was ridiculous ... I'm not sure why some think this is either paper's obligation to fix, especially considering they don't control it and it's a pretty intermittent screw up to begin with. This is obviously DW and the Athletic Department's **** up to allow this to continue.

Unbelievable. So if you hire a third party to do something for customers that you would rather not have to do and they make errors from time to time just shrug your shoulders and tell the customer that you've got no control over them.

By the way, here's a tip - your control is threatening the service with going to a new service if they can't get the logo right.

 

I'm sorry, but It's not my job to be worried about the logo. I've said multiple times on this board, I'm not on-staff with the Times. I'm a sophomore in college, who writes when I am asked to write. The rest of the time I'm in class and trying to work toward a degree in the next couple years.

I don't get paid to tweet, I don't get paid to interact with readers and I don't get paid to spend my time calling about a logo that has been accidentally changed back to the old one a couple times by a service that I have nothing to do with. I do this on my own time, because I feel that it is something helpful to our readers and I want to provide the best coverage that I can, because people like you and everyone else on here are fans/supporters/alumni who care about USF athletics. 

I don't appreciate you ridiculing me personally for something that I have nothing to do with. All I was doing was being nice and explaining to someone what my knowledge of the service is. I wasn't doing it to get slammed for my response. This is exactly why most reporters don't interact like this anymore. And, honestly, if this is all I get for trying to be helpful, then I won't either. 

 

 

http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/

 

They still have the flying goat logo.  Why can't the local paper even get it right?

That right-hand "scoreboard" section of TBO's website (it's the same on tampabay.com, just above the main image) where the box score of a specific game or an upcoming USF schedule is listed with the old Bulls logo is not run by TBO. It's run by a third-party service called "The Sports Network" and sportsnetwork.com, which supplies statistics and other numbers in real-time to most news outlets for their websites. It usually depends on the day, because I've seen both the old and new logos used in that info box. Rest assured neither newspaper has control over it.

 

- Jeff

 

So Jeff, what you're really saying is that you've seen it and you're okay with it or it isn't worth calling anyone.  You could have left it at that.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you've never even tried to have any  "...control over it." To say, "Rest assured neither newspaper has control over it." is exactly the point of this post and others on this board regarding the interest in USF sports.  I'm betting you never even tried to contact this service (that I'm assuming you pay for to help provide your product to your customers) to attempt get them to quit using the old logo.  Again why?  Because it just doesn't bother you enough that our school logo is improperly represented to pick up the phone.

 

You may ask, "Okay Boomer, have you tried to call them?  My answer would be, "No."  "Why not?"  "Because I don't care enough to."

 

There you go - it's that easy.

 

My apologies. I was just trying be nice and clear the air about any misunderstandings anyone may have about the local newspapers and their relationship with the service. 

 

 

 

Jeff,

Ask the tough questions regarding Collins. He was medically cleared to play the Monday before the road game with Temple. He's not played. Why? Medical redshirt is nonsense. What's his issue?

Although he was "medically cleared" before Temple, he is still experiencing a lot of discomfort in his knee and it hasn't improved all season since the surgery over summer. Heath has said on multiple occasions he doesn't expect him to return this season because of this which is why Josh Heath had his redshirt pulled ... From what we have been told, he would rather play 100 percent without risking further damage than play at 40 or 50 percent and injure himself further and potentially hurt his career. The medical redshirt isn't nonsense. It's his decision whether he wants to play and, right now, he doesn't feel like he's ready to play in a game and he's eligible for it. 

 

- Jeff

 

 

what do you mean by medical redshirt isn't nonsense?  Is he still eligible for the redshirt?

 

Yes, he is eligible for a medical redshirt. 

 

Jeff,

Ask the tough questions regarding Collins. He was medically cleared to play the Monday before the road game with Temple. He's not played. Why? Medical redshirt is nonsense. What's his issue?

Although he was "medically cleared" before Temple, he is still experiencing a lot of discomfort in his knee and it hasn't improved all season since the surgery over summer. Heath has said on multiple occasions he doesn't expect him to return this season because of this which is why Josh Heath had his redshirt pulled ... From what we have been told, he would rather play 100 percent without risking further damage than play at 40 or 50 percent and injure himself further and potentially hurt his career. The medical redshirt isn't nonsense. It's his decision whether he wants to play and, right now, he doesn't feel like he's ready to play in a game and he's eligible for it. 

 

- Jeff

 

Jeff,

Ask the tough questions regarding Collins. He was medically cleared to play the Monday before the road game with Temple. He's not played. Why? Medical redshirt is nonsense. What's his issue?

Although he was "medically cleared" before Temple, he is still experiencing a lot of discomfort in his knee and it hasn't improved all season since the surgery over summer. Heath has said on multiple occasions he doesn't expect him to return because of this ... From what we have been told, he would rather play 100 percent without risking further damage than play at 40 or 50 percent and injure himself further and potentially hurt his career. The medical redshirt isn't nonsense. It's his decision whether he wants to play and, right now, he doesn't feel like he's ready to play in a game and he's eligible for it. 

- Jeff

Stan Heath said after the game it was a "coach's decision" to sit him after the first two minutes of the second half. He didn't go into detail as to why the decision was made, only saying: 

"We're trying to find a lineup that has some consistency. I've challenged Martino, too, telling him he's got to score like this every game. … We're young, and right now we don't handle adversity well."

We should have practice access before the SMU game on Tuesday to talk with Stan and the team to get more information. 

http://tbo.com/sports/colleges/usf-bulls/

 

They still have the flying goat logo.  Why can't the local paper even get it right?

That right-hand "scoreboard" section of TBO's website (it's the same on tampabay.com, just above the main image) where the box score of a specific game or an upcoming USF schedule is listed with the old Bulls logo is not run by TBO. It's run by a third-party service called "The Sports Network" and sportsnetwork.com, which supplies statistics and other numbers in real-time to most news outlets for their websites. It usually depends on the day, because I've seen both the old and new logos used in that info box. Rest assured neither newspaper has control over it.

- Jeff

I think he's alright. Trying to compare him to GA when he began but can't remember. He isn't as familiar with the school and its athletic history yet. Greg was always looking for interesting historical notes. I think Knight will get there. He doesn't post as much about Bulls in the NFL or Candian Football like GA did.

Odom is a college student I think. He's done exceptional for a college student. He could be outstanding down the road.

Thanks, FatDaddyBull ... I'm a sophomore in college. Still making that hour-long trek through traffic from HCC to USF to get to pressers almost every day. But, I'll be transferring over to USF in the fall. 

 

Joey and Jeff do a decent job covering the Bulls via Twitter, so you just have to adjust accordingly. Although they do retweet or just duplicate the same news items a lot.

 

 

I would think the paying customers of the newspaper would be top priority.  Neither could even write an article about the game last night.  How do the USF beat reporters not do a story on the game?

 

Game story is here on the website: http://www.tampabay.com/sports/basketball/college/usf-loses-at-smu/2161262 ... you can find all of our USF coverage at tampabay.com/sports/colleges/bulls ... Not every story goes to the blog. Usually once or twice a day, depending on how much news is happening. 

Also. for the record, and just to clear up any confusion, Joey doesn't travel for road basketball games unless it is in-state or something of major note like the AAC conference tournament, NCAAs or NIT. I personally don't travel for anything except in-state football (UCF, FSU, FAU, etc.) games because I'm the USF correspondent (currently a sophomore in college, earning experience by covering a major beat.) While I would like to be everywhere, covering everything 24/7, my school takes priority.

So, with neither of us traveling for most hoops, one of us writing a game story from Tampa for a road game isn't necessary. Usually the newspaper will use a wire report from the Associated Press or an outside reporter who is stationed in the city where the game is taking place, in this case at SMU, Andy Friedlander.  

Thank you for your feedback and thank you for reading.

- Jeff