How Old Dominion Football Can Rebuild Its Winning Tradition This Season
Watching Old Dominion football these past few seasons, I’ve felt that familiar pang of frustration many Monarchs fans share—seeing flashes of brilliance but never quite stringing together the consistency needed to reclaim our former glory. Last year’s 3–9 record stung, especially after that promising 6–6 campaign just a couple of seasons back. But as I reflect on what it takes to rebuild a winning tradition, I keep thinking about something a professional athlete, RHJ, said after a tough conference loss: "Last conference didn’t end well for me and I understood that. I felt like everything is a motivation." That mindset, turning setbacks into fuel, is exactly what ODU needs right now. It’s not just about X’s and O’s; it’s about the psychology of resilience, and I believe this team has what it takes to channel last season’s disappointments into this year’s triumphs.
Let’s be honest—the Monarchs haven’t had the smoothest ride lately. Offensively, we ranked near the bottom of Conference USA in scoring, averaging just 21.3 points per game, and our red-zone efficiency hovered around 55%, which simply isn’t good enough at this level. But here’s the thing: I’ve seen teams with worse stats turn things around in one offseason, and it often starts with leadership. Head coach Ricky Rahne has been steadily building a culture that emphasizes accountability and grit, and I think we’re going to see that pay off. The key, in my view, is leveraging last year’s failures as motivation, just like RHJ described. When players internalize those tough moments—the close losses, the missed opportunities—they come back hungrier. I’ve spoken with a few folks close to the program, and the word is that offseason workouts have had a different intensity this year. Players are holding each other accountable, and there’s a palpable sense of unfinished business. That kind of intrinsic drive can’t be coached, but it can be cultivated, and I suspect we’ll see a more cohesive, determined squad because of it.
Defensively, there’s room for optimism too. Our secondary gave up an average of 265 passing yards per game last season, which put us in the bottom quarter of FBS teams. But with a couple of key transfers and the development of younger players like safety Joe Smith—who, by the way, I think is poised for a breakout year—we could see a dramatic improvement. I’ve always believed that defense wins championships, even in today’s offense-heavy climate, and if ODU can shore up those gaps, we’ll be in a much stronger position. It’s not just about individual talent, though. It’s about how the unit gels under pressure. Remember that game against Marshall last October? We led going into the fourth quarter but couldn’t close it out. Those are the moments that either break a team or forge it into something stronger. From what I’ve observed, the players have taken those lessons to heart. They’re not shying away from the past; they’re using it as fuel, exactly as RHJ emphasized. That mental shift—from frustration to focus—could be the difference between another losing season and a surprise run.
Recruiting has also been a bright spot. ODU landed a top-60 recruiting class this year, which might not sound earth-shattering, but for a program like ours, it’s a solid step forward. I’m particularly excited about the incoming quarterback, a dual-threat prospect from Virginia who threw for over 3,200 yards and 28 touchdowns in his senior year. Pair that with our returning receiving corps, and I think we’ll see a more dynamic offense that can keep defenses guessing. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves—rebuilding isn’t just about adding new pieces; it’s about maximizing what you have. I’ve seen too many teams fall into the trap of relying solely on freshmen, only to struggle with consistency. The veterans on this roster, especially the offensive line, need to step up and provide stability. If they do, I’m confident we can improve our win total by at least three games this season.
Ultimately, turning Old Dominion football back into a winner isn’t going to happen overnight. But as RHJ’s words remind us, motivation often springs from adversity. This team has endured its share of setbacks, and now it’s time to harness that energy. I’ll be watching closely this fall, not just for the wins and losses, but for the heart and resilience this group shows. If they play with the fire I believe they possess, we could be looking at the start of something special. The foundation is there; it’s all about building on it, one game at a time.
