Odom, Lewis named to fill coaching positions at SMH

Todd Odom will direct the Mustang wrestling team while Johanna Lewis will serve as men's and women's swim coach.

"Todd brings us a great level of leadership and desire," Athletic Director Si Simmons said. "He's focused and knows what he wants."

Odom is a graduate of Robbinsville High School and Western Carolina University.

"I'm excited," Odom said. "Ecstatic would be the best word. I'm excited about the program and look forward to a successful year."

Odom, who will also coach the freshman football team, went into the construction business out of high school before returning to college to receive his degree. He will teach algebra I and social studies.

"I went off to make some money, but I felt a pull to get back into teaching and coaching," Odom said. "I feel led to be here in Jackson County."

Odom has quite a story to tell about his high school football career. A wide receiver and linebacker as a freshman and sophomore, he was injured in a motorcycle accident during his sophomore season and had his left leg amputated below the knee. He returned for his junior and senior seasons and played nose guard on one leg.

"Everyone we've talked to at Robbinsville and Western Carolina who knows Todd has nothing but outstanding things to say about him," Simmons said.

Lewis will add coaching duties to her role as a Spanish teacher at the school. She is the mother of three children, who are all outstanding swimmers. Nat was an All-American at Arizona and nearly made the U.S. Olympic team. Abigail earned all-state honors for SM and plans to walk-on at N.C. State. Allie had an outstanding freshman season for the Lady Mustangs last year.

"Her children have had some good coaches through the years, but she has provided them with support, encouragement and knowledge," Simmons said. "She has tremendous love for the sport. She is energetic, thorough and organized. She has a passion for swimming that I think will carry over to the kids."

Lewis said she considers herself a co-coach with Kathryn Alverson, computer teacher at Fairview. Lewis said she will handle the administrative end while Alverson, who swam at Murphy, will concentrate on the technical end.

"I'm very excited about doing this," Lewis said. "The emphasis in the past has been on year-round club swimmers as the core of our team. In order to have a really successful program, we have to have a much larger team and draw in students who participate in fall and spring sports but not winter sports."

The women's soccer coaching position remains vacant.

Also vacant is the men's track position. Cameron Brooks, who earlier resigned as football coach, has since resigned as track coach and as a teacher.

Back to Sports: 08/09/01.