Can Old Dominion Football Rebuild Its Program and Return to Winning Ways?
As I sit here watching the highlights from Old Dominion's 2016 bowl victory, I can't help but wonder if we'll ever see that level of success again. The program has been through some rough years lately, and frankly, I'm getting tired of watching us struggle. Last season's 3-9 record was particularly tough to swallow, especially considering we started with such promise. When I think about rebuilding this program, I'm reminded of something remarkable I came across recently from basketball coach RHJ, who said after winning a championship, "Last conference didn't end well for me and I understood that. I felt like everything is a motivation. Not doing well last conference? A lot of things motivate me." That mindset is exactly what our football program needs right now - that ability to transform past failures into future fuel.
Looking at our situation objectively, the numbers don't lie. Over the past three seasons, we've compiled a disappointing 12-24 record, including that brutal 1-11 campaign in 2019 that still gives me nightmares. Our offense has been particularly concerning, averaging just 18.7 points per game last season while our defense allowed nearly 32 points per contest. These statistics paint a clear picture of a program that's lost its way. But here's what gives me hope - we've seen this story before in college football. Programs like Kansas State under Bill Snyder or Baylor under Dave Aranda have demonstrated that turnarounds are possible with the right leadership and culture. The question isn't whether it can be done, but whether we have the right people in place to make it happen.
From my perspective as someone who's followed this program for over two decades, the solution starts with recruiting. We need to lock down the 757 area code - that talent-rich region from Virginia Beach to Newport News that has produced numerous NFL players. Last year, we missed on three four-star recruits from within 50 miles of campus, and that simply can't continue. I'd love to see us implement a more aggressive transfer portal strategy too, similar to what Coach Prime has done at Colorado, though obviously on a smaller scale. The portal has completely changed college football, and programs that adapt quickly gain significant advantages. We landed only two transfers last cycle while our conference rivals averaged nearly six - that gap needs to close immediately.
What really excites me about this rebuilding process is the young talent we have developing. Quarterback Hayden Wolff showed flashes of brilliance last season, completing 62.3% of his passes despite constant pressure. Our receiving corps, while inexperienced, includes some dynamic athletes who could blossom with proper development. The foundation is there, but it needs polishing. I'm particularly optimistic about our new offensive coordinator, who comes from a system that produced top-25 offenses three years running. If he can install his scheme effectively and adapt to our personnel, we could see dramatic improvement much faster than conventional wisdom suggests.
The financial commitment has been encouraging too. The university recently approved $15 million in facility upgrades, including a new weight room and player lounge that should help recruiting. Attendance dipped to just 18,500 per game last season, down from our peak of 20,118 in 2015, but I'm hearing positive buzz about season ticket sales for the upcoming year. The community wants to believe again, and that emotional investment matters more than people realize. When I talk to fans around Norfolk, I sense both frustration and hope - they're disappointed but not defeated, which creates the perfect environment for a resurgence.
Ultimately, returning to winning ways requires embracing that motivational mindset RHJ described. Our players need to channel last season's disappointments into this season's determination. The schedule sets up reasonably well with winnable non-conference games and manageable Sun Belt competition. If we can steal an early victory or two, build confidence, and develop an identity, I genuinely believe we can reach bowl eligibility within two seasons. The path won't be easy, and there will undoubtedly be setbacks along the way, but the potential reward - seeing Old Dominion football relevant again - makes every struggle worthwhile. This program has overcome challenges before, and with the right approach, I'm confident we can do it again.
