Lamar Odom is Shooting His Shot for Head Coach Position at URI

Pick up the phone, URI, Lamar Odom is calling.

In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, the former NBA star expressed his desire to become head coach for the University of Rhode Island’s men’s basketball team. It might sound random for those who know Odom as Khloe Kardashian’s ex, but when looking back on his career and his tumultuous past, a move to Rhode Island makes sense.

Lamar Odom Through the Years

For sports fans, Lamar Odom was known for being a standout player for the Los Angeles Lakers, a 2004 Olympian and World Cup Champion (back when it was still FIBA World Championship).

In 2009, he married Khloe Kardashian, and his fame went from big to huge in the entertainment world. Seven years later, he was in the tabloids for being discovered unconscious in a Nevada brothel but has since cleaned up his act and just finished up a run on the reality show "Celebrity Big Brother".

Get our free mobile app

Return to URI?

So where does URI play into all of this?

Lamar Odom played basketball for the University of Rhode Island, earning all-conference honors during his only season in the Atlantic 10 Conference before turning professional.

That experience paved the way for his professional career, so I’m sure there is a sentimental connection for him to the University.

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Lamar said, “I really want to be the head coach at the University of Rhode Island sooner than later. ... I can definitely make the program a winning situation because right now they are not doing good.”

And he’s not wrong. The Rams ended their latest season at 7-10 in the conference, and 10-15 overall.

There’s been a lot of chatter from Odom lately, from wanting to get back with Khloe to his experience on Celebrity Big Brother, but URI coach talk has been relatively quiet since his statement to ET.

I guess we’ll have to wait and see if this URI alum will be granted his wish in saving the URI men’s basketball team.