Former Mizzou linebacker lands defensive coordinator position
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (KMIZ)
Former Mizzou linebacker Michael Scherer landed his first defensive coordinator job on Thursday. The 29-year-old will take over at UNLV on his former head coach Barry Odom's staff.
Scherer worked with Odom at Arkansas, before the head coach took the job at UNLV in December. He spent two seasons coaching the Razorback linebackers. In that time, his group produced some big results, as he coached All-American Drew Sanders and Bumper Pool. However, he first started his time in Fayetteville as a defensive analyst in 2020. He first stepped up into an on-the-field coaching role when Odom had to serve as the interim head coach for the Razorbacks when Pittman was out due to COVID-19.
He did serve as the interim defensive coordinator for Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman, after Odom left for Las Vegas.
"We are thrilled to welcome Mike to Las Vegas," said Odom said in a press release. "He is an elite defensive mind who has a great understanding of our defensive system. His experience as a student-athlete and then as a coach will be valuable to the foundation of our program at UNLV."
The St. Louis native played for Mizzou from 2012-16. He racked up 226 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception in that time. He didn't get to finish out his senior season on the field, as a knee injury only allowed him to play in the first seven games.
He played under Odom during the 2015-16 season, after former head coach Gary Pinkel retired.
