Born in Trapani, Sicily, but resident of Città Sant'Angelo, Abruzzo, Oddo started his coaching career in 1988 with Giulianova of the Serie C2 league. In 1990, he became head coach of Serie B club Avellino, successively managing several other teams from the same league such as Modena and Pescara. He made his debut in a Serie A coaching position during the 1995–96 season, with Reggiana, ending the season with an unfortunate relegation. He then had two other Serie A stints as head coach with Salernitana and Venezia, without any particularly impressive results. He later also coached Messina during the 2002–03 Serie B season.