Coach Jonathan Odam was born and raised in Cherokee County, Alabama. He graduated from Cherokee County High School in 1995. Upon high school graduation, Coach Odam attended Jacksonville State University where he graduated with a BS in technology. Coach Odam was hired by the Baptist Medical Dekalb Hospital in Fort Payne, Alabama where he worked as a biomedical technician for ten years. In the meantime, Coach Odam began volunteering as a basketball coach at his high school alma mater. During this time of volunteer coaching, Coach Odam decided his true calling in life was to be an educator/coach. It was at this time Coach Odam began the Fifth Year Program through the College of Education at JSU. Throughout this time in his life, Coach Odam worked full time at the hospital, went to school full time as a graduate student, continued his volunteer coaching duties, and was a married man and father of two young boys. Though this was a lot to take on, Coach Odam was determined to follow his passion of education and coaching. Coach Odam graduated from JSU for a second time; this time with a Master’s in Physical Education. He has worked for the Piedmont City School System for ten years as an elementary PE teacher. Beyond teaching, Coach Odam is an assistant coach for the junior high football team, the head junior high basketball coach, and an assistant on the varsity boys’ basketball staff. He has won numerous junior high basketball county championships and has helped the varsity boys’ basketball team win a number of Area Championships, Region Championships, four Final Fours appearances, and a run at the state title where Piedmont finished as State Runner-Up.