By Niles Hall (@n23hall) – Content Editor | Former SJSU Defensive coordinator celebrates in the locker room (Photo Courtesy of SJSU Athletics)
On Nov. 17, after a 3-7 record, San Jose State head coach Ken Niumatalolo has announced via press release that he has fired defensive coordinator and associate head coach, Derrick Odum, alongside special teams coordinator, Joe Palcic. Inside linebackers coach Bojay Filimoeatu will relieve Odum of his duties.
“We appreciate the contributions Derrick Odum and Joe Palcic have made to our program and wish them and their families the very best,” Niumatalolo said. “At this time, we believe a change is necessary to reinforce our commitment to excellence for our student-athletes, staff, and community.”
Odum has spent the last nine seasons as SJSU’s defensive coordinator. This decision comes off of a 55-10 blowout loss against the University of Nevada Wolf Pack, whose offense ranked last in the Mountain West.
Niumatalolo is in his second season as SJSU’s head coach. In his first season, he earned a 7-6 record, which resulted in the team’s third straight bowl game appearance. This season, SJSU sits at 3-7, ending the team’s bowl game streak.
Interim defensive coordinator Filimoeatu looks to aid the Spartans’ defense with coaching experience starting in 2016 at Oregon State University as an inside linebackers and quality control coach under former SJSU head coach Brent Brennan.
In 2017, Filimoeatu followed Brennan to SJSU, staying for one season. After multiple coaching stops across the country as a linebacker and defensive line coach, Filimoeatu returned to SJSU in 2024.
The Spartans’ defense ranked 121st out of 134 programs, allowing 32.4 points per game.
With bowl game dreams gone, SJSU’s defense will move on with two games remaining against San Diego State and Fresno State.
