How Old Dominion Football Is Building a Winning Program for Future Success
As I watched Old Dominion Football's recent turnaround, I couldn't help but reflect on how championship programs are built from the ground up. The journey reminds me of something I heard from professional basketball player RHJ after his team's championship victory: "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 perfectly captures what's happening in Norfolk right now, where the Monarchs are transforming past disappointments into future fuel.
Having followed college football programs for over fifteen years, I've seen how teams either learn from failure or get consumed by it. Old Dominion's approach particularly stands out because they're not just rebuilding - they're reconstructing their entire program philosophy. When the Monarchs finished 3-9 last season, many programs would have made panic moves. Instead, head coach Ricky Rahne and his staff used that disappointment as motivation, much like RHJ described. They identified specific areas needing improvement: red zone efficiency, which sat at just 68% last year, and third-down conversions that hovered around 35%. These weren't just statistics to them - they represented opportunities for growth.
What really impresses me about ODU's approach is how they're developing players beyond just physical skills. I've noticed they've implemented what I'd call a "growth mindset curriculum" where athletes learn to reframe setbacks as learning opportunities. They study game footage differently than many programs - focusing not just on mistakes but on incremental improvements. This psychological component is often overlooked in college athletics, but ODU seems to understand that mental toughness separates good teams from great ones. Their strength and conditioning program has seen remarkable results too, with players adding an average of 8-12 pounds of muscle during offseason training while improving speed metrics by 4-7% across position groups.
The recruiting strategy also reflects this long-term vision. Rather than chasing purely star-rated recruits, they're targeting players with what coaches call "high football IQ and higher character." I've spoken with several recruits who mentioned how ODU's staff emphasizes development over immediate playing time, which creates more sustainable roster building. They're particularly focused on Virginia's talent-rich 757 area code, securing commitments from 6 local three-star prospects in the last cycle alone. This local foundation gives them a cultural advantage that's hard to replicate.
Facility upgrades tell another part of the story. The $5 million investment in the Barry Kornblau Center for Athletic Performance isn't just about flashy equipment - it's about creating an environment where players want to spend extra time. I've toured numerous college facilities, and what strikes me about ODU's approach is how they've designed spaces specifically for player collaboration and film study, not just weightlifting. These subtle design choices reinforce the program's emphasis on continuous improvement and team bonding.
Looking at their schedule construction, ODU is taking calculated risks that demonstrate their growing confidence. They've increased their Power Five matchups from one to two annually, understanding that these games provide measuring sticks and national exposure, even when they don't result in victories. The revenue from these games - approximately $1.2 million per matchup - gets reinvested into program enhancements, creating a virtuous cycle of improvement. It's a strategy I've seen work at other rising programs, and ODU is implementing it with impressive precision.
The fan engagement piece cannot be overstated either. Attendance at S.B. Ballard Stadium has increased by 23% over the past two seasons, creating the kind of home-field advantage that genuinely impacts outcomes. I've witnessed firsthand how that stadium energy can swing close games, and ODU is building something special there. Their social media engagement rates have skyrocketed by 185% year-over-year, suggesting they're connecting with the next generation of Monarch fans in meaningful ways.
Ultimately, what ODU is building goes beyond wins and losses - though I believe those will come in greater numbers soon. They're creating a culture where motivation stems from continuous growth rather than fear of failure. As RHJ's championship mindset demonstrates, using past disappointments as fuel rather than anchors can transform a program's trajectory. Based on what I'm seeing develop in Norfolk, Old Dominion Football isn't just preparing for a good season - they're building the foundation for sustained success that could reshape the Sun Belt Conference landscape for years to come. The pieces are falling into place in a way that should make every Monarch fan genuinely excited about what's ahead.
