Mark Odin is entering his 29th year of coaching and his first season as Associate Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator for Whittier College Football. His career spans one year at the FCS level, 14 years in the SCIAC, two years at the junior college level, and 11 years at the high school level.
Before joining Whittier, Odin served as Director of Outreach & Marketing at Damien High School, where he was also the Offensive Coordinator and Offensive Line Coach in 2024. That season, Damien’s offense ranked first in the league in points, passing, receiving, touchdowns, scoring, and total yards while going undefeated in league play for the first time since 2010. Under his leadership, QB Isaiah Arriaza earned Offensive Player of the Year honors, and RJ San Jose was named Lineman of the Year.
From 2011–2021, Odin coached at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (CMS), serving as Offensive Line Coach, Linebackers Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, and his longest tenure at CMS as Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator. His defenses consistently ranked among the best in the SCIAC and across Division III, leading the conference in multiple categories including scoring defense, total defense, rushing defense, passing defense, interceptions, sacks, and defensive touchdowns. His units produced three SCIAC Defensive Players of the Year, three D3football.com All-West Region selections, one D3football.com Honorable Mention All-American, and 17 All-SCIAC players.
Prior to CMS, Odin was Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, and Linebackers Coach at the University of La Verne (2009–2010) and was the Offensive Line Coach in 2008; Offensive Line Coach/Run Game Coordinator at Chaffey College (2007); Tight Ends/H-Backs/Tackles Coach at Sacramento State (2006); Offensive Coordinator/Assistant Head Coach at Ganesha High School (2002–2004); and held multiple assistant roles at Pasadena City College, Diamond Bar High School, San Dimas High School, and Northview High School.
A former offensive lineman, Odin played at Northview High School in Covina (1988-1992), Citrus College (1992–1994), and the University of La Verne (1996–1997), earning associate degrees in Social & Behavioral Sciences and in Business before completing a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Away from football, he enjoys fishing and paddle boarding/kayaking with his wife, Ilsa.
