VCU is starting to develop a reputation as a “stepping-stone” school in college basketball.
Ryan Odom continues this trend by leaving VCU for Virginia following an A-10 championship win and a first-round exit in the NCAA Tournament.
Odom follows a recent trend of VCU coaches having successful stints at the school before moving on to a Power Four school. Odom is the fifth to do so since 2006 and the second to spend only two seasons in Richmond.
VCU has consistently been one of the top mid-major programs over the last 25 years, so whoever comes next will be tasked with continuing on previous success. Here are five names to watch for as possible replacements for Odom at VCU.
Darius Theus, VCU assistant coach
One possibility available to VCU is promoting from within to find its next coach. The name that pops up most frequently is assistant coach Darius Theus. Theus is a VCU graduate who played in three NCAA Tournaments with the Rams, including a prominent role on the 2011 Final Four team. He previously worked as an assistant coach for Sienna in the 2022-23 season, helping lead the Saints to a 17-15 record. Theus has been with the Rams since April 2023, joining as a member of Odom’s staff. Theus is someone who already knows the culture and what it takes to succeed at VCU, making him a good pick.
Richard Pitino, New Mexico
Son of legendary head coach Rick Pitino, Richard Pitino has found success at New Mexico over the previous four seasons. Pitino has reinstated New Mexico as a Mountain West Conference powerhouse, improving on win totals every year and rebuilding the program. He led the Lobos to their first MWC conference championship and NCAA tournament appearance in a decade in the 2023-24 season before advancing past the first round as a No. 10 seed in the 2024-25 season. Pitino is one of the best young coaches in college basketball and is the top target for VCU with the offseason looming.
Dwight Perry, Wofford
Perry would be the next in a group of VCU coaches stemming from Shaka Smart’s coaching tree. Perry has spent the last six seasons at Wofford, with his last two being as the team’s head coach. Wofford went 19-16 and won the 2024-25 Southern Conference Tournament championship, receiving an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament as a 15 seed. Perry already has experience with VCU, working as a graduate assistant for Smart and being named the VCU video coordinator for the 2013-14 season, experiencing three NCAA Tournaments while there. Perry has quickly found his footing at Wofford and is a fast-rising name for a potential return to VCU.
Russell Turner, UC Irvine
Longtime UC Irvine coach Russell Turner is a name in the mix for VCU’s next hire. Turner has spent 15 years at UC Irvine and has become its most successful coach in the process. In 15 seasons, Turner has averaged over 20 wins a season and has an overall record of 319-186. During this span, Turner has amassed seven Big West regular-season championships, two conference tournament championships and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Turner is a four-time Big West coach of the year and is likely the most experienced name in VCU’s list of potential head coaches.
Donny Lind, Mount St. Mary
Lind has only had one season of experience as a head coach and is a bit of a wildcard pick, but his results can’t be argued. In his first season, Lind helped lead the Mountaineers to their second winning season in seven years and their first in four. Under Lind, Mount St. Mary finished with a 23-13 record, its first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament championship, and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Lind is the least likely out of the bunch to be the next VCU head coach, but he remains a name to keep an eye on.
