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A few people have implied that the reason UNT and Odoh have parted ways is not because he does not want to play for the school, but rather because he would not qualify academically.

Odoh has some summer school classes he has to take to finish his two-year degree and qualify to play at the Division I level next year. That's not unusual.

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The suggestion that Jones had been trying to convince Odoh to back out of his commitment to UNT to play for the Tigers has also been out there

Jones denied that was the case this morning.

"We are not involved with any UNT players at all," Jones said. "I would call and ask the current head coach's blessing if we planned to contact anyone after they were released. I have been at several universities and have never tried to recruit a player who was going to a school I left. I don't operate that way."

A second person involved in the process confirmed that UNT's staff has not contacted Odoh.

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As of this afternoon, Odoh has not received his release from UNT. A school official said that UNT has not received the necessary paperwork yet. That appears to be a formality, one that Odoh should take care of once he is aware of how the process works.

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One way or another, Odoh will end up being released by UNT and I have little doubt that restriction regarding LSU will be in there.

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I expect that once Odoh is released, he will be snapped up pretty quickly by a high major program. More than a dozen programs have inquired about Odoh over the last few days.

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signee John Odoh may want to follow former coach Johnny Jones to LSU. Villarreal said Odoh hasn’t asked for a release yet. If he does, don’t expect a release -- or at least not one to LSU. Villarreal was adamant that Odoh was recruited by Jones with Mean Green funds. Players may leave, but without a release, meaning they would then have to pay their own scholarships.

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One way or another, Odoh will end up being released by UNT and I have little doubt that restriction regarding LSU will be in there.

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Villarreal was adamant that Odoh was recruited by Jones with Mean Green funds.

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Just piss him off. I wouldn't release a kid if the fans were emailing me and ticking me off.

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It perplexes me as to why UNT would want to piss LSU off.

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I should be ashamed! Be honest with yourself that your concern is not for a young foreign man but a player that could possibly help your basketball team. And try being informed when you send an e-mail. The decision to release or not release John is not the Athletic Director's but the incoming head coach's as it was with Johnny when he came to North Texas and now at LSU. However I will support my coach's decision whatever that might be just as Joe will support Johnny's decisions concerning his team

Rick Villarreal

P.M. I don't measure myself as a man by your or any other man's standards. I answer to a higher power and I always strive to do the right thing. Just ask your new head basketball coach.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Note™, an AT&T LTE smartphone

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When Johnny came to North Texas, we had a player that Johnny did not want released and I supported his decision. That young man ended transferring on his own dime. Money spent on the process never has been a sticking point for me in this or any situation concerning student-athletes. John the decision to release John Odoh is not mine to make. It is the decision of the head coach which I will support in whatever direction he decides to go. And although we play LSU his year, we do not have them on the schedule moving forward through 2020 and doesn't erase the pettiness of your threat not to schedule games. When this is all over I hope you and others who have sent these type messages are as quick to write back.

Respectfully,

Rick V

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