HOOVER, Ala. -- First-year coach Barry Odoms goal of creating more stability at Missouri became more challenging Wednesday with the departure of athletic director Mack Rhoades.The unexpected news made for an interesting SEC media day for the Tigers, who faced more questions about off-the-field issues than the on-the-field progress theyre trying to make following a 5-7 season.The 39-year-old Odom came to Hoover less than 24 hours after finding out Rhoades was leaving for the same job at Baylor. The Bears officially announced Rhoades hire while Odom was standing on the stage Wednesday discussing the programs future.I found out last night and didnt have any clue before then, Odom said. I respect Mack calling me and having the conversation.Odom was promoted in December after longtime coach Gary Pinkel retired and announced he was fighting cancer. Rhoades promoted Odom from defensive coordinator and gave him a five-year contract worth $2.35 million annually.The coach said he wasnt worried about job security -- only the results of the program moving forward.I know Ive got a group of guys coming back that are anxious and excited about getting the 2016 season started, Odom said.But first, Odom had to deal with the news of Rhoades departure.Rhoades was hired by Missouri 16 months ago, but much has changed since then. Student protests on campus over social issues and racial tensions spilled over into the athletic department last season when the football team essentially went on strike in support of the protesters, who were demanding the resignation of university systems president Tim Wolfe.Pinkel and Rhoades stood by the players, who in the end didnt miss practice. Both the president and school chancellor, R. Bowen Loftin, resigned.Missouri linebacker Michael Scherer, who was second on the team with 93 tackles last season, said the constant distractions arent ideal, but they would cope with Rhoades surprising departure just like everything else.What are you going to do about it?, Scherer said. I cant do anything to change it. Nobody here can do anything to change whats happened. You just have to move forward and keep going on like nothings wrong. Like nothings changed.Thats just kind of how we deal with things.On the field, the Tigers have 13 starters returning from a team that finished with a 5-7 record, including a 1-7 mark in the SEC. Missouri especially struggled on offense, especially during the last half of the season, and averaged a league-low 13.6 points per game.Sophomore Drew Lock returns after throwing for 1,332 yards, four touchdowns and eight interceptions. He completed just 49 percent of his passes.While the offense is rebuilt, the Tigers might have to rely on their defense. Missouri has eight starters returning, including Scherer and Charles Harris, who led the SEC with 18 1/2 tackles for a loss last season.---Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP---AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org . Wholesale Soccer Jerseys . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Fake Soccer Jerseys . JOHNS, N. https://www.soccerjerseyschina.us/ .H. -- Matt Kenseth made it 2 for 2 in the Chase, holding off teammate Kyle Busch to win Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. Cheap Soccer Jerseys .com) - The Calgary Flames aim to bounce back from their first regulation home loss of the campaign on Friday night when they host a Detroit Red Wings club that they swept in three meetings a season ago. Soccer Jerseys Outlet . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. LORETTO, Pa. -- Andre Wolford made 3 of 6 from 3-point range and scored 17 points in 16 minutes to help St. Francis (Pa.) beat Division III Chatham 119-59 on Saturday night.The Red Flash (1-2) never trailed and outscored the Cougars 65-26 in the second half, extending to their largest lead at the final score.St. Francis was 19 of 32 (59.4 percent) from 3-point range with eight different players contributing at lleast one triple.dddddddddddd.Georgios Angelou and Isaiah Blackmon added 14 points each, Keith Braxton scored 13, Josh Nebo 12 and Jamaal King 10. Angelou was 4 of 5 from 3-point range and handed out nine assists.Alex Schoppen led the Cougars with 18 points and Anthony Bomar added 10. ' ' '
