Small college football isn't just about the stats on a sheet. It's about the smell of turf on a Saturday in Sunbury Road, the echo of pads popping in a stadium that feels way more intimate than the massive bowls you see on ESPN, and the weird reality that a school founded by Dominican Sisters is now a legitimate force in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC). Ohio Dominican University football isn't some ancient legacy program that’s been around since the 1920s. They’re relatively new to the party, but they’ve crashed it with a vengeance.
People often overlook Division II ball. That's a mistake. Especially in Ohio. If you're standing in Columbus, you’re usually blinded by the neon lights of Ohio State, but just a few miles away, the Panthers have spent the last two decades building something that actually lasts. It's gritty. It’s localized. And honestly, it’s one of the most consistent winning traditions in the region that nobody—outside of die-hard scouts—talks about enough.
The transition that changed everything for Ohio Dominican University football
You have to look back at the jump from NAIA to NCAA Division II to understand why this program matters. Transitioning up a level is usually a death sentence for a few years. Most teams face-plant. They lose their recruiting pipelines, get bullied by bigger rosters, and spend five years "rebuilding." Ohio Dominican didn't do that. When they moved to the GLIAC (and later the G-MAC), they didn't just participate; they started winning. Fast.
Bill Conley, a name anyone who follows Ohio football history knows from his days at Ohio State, was a massive catalyst here. He brought a certain "big program" DNA to a smaller campus. He understood that to win at ODU, you couldn't just find the best athletes; you had to find the guys who were overlooked by the MAC or the Big Ten but had the chip on their shoulder necessary to dominate the DII landscape.
The 2013 season remains the gold standard. A 10-1 record. An outright GLIAC championship. A trip to the NCAA playoffs. That year proved that Ohio Dominican University football wasn't a fluke. They weren't just a "small school" story; they were a legitimate national contender. When you look at the names that came through during those peak years—guys like quarterback Mark Miller or running back Brandon Schoen—you see a level of offensive efficiency that rivaled some DI programs. Schoen, specifically, was a monster, leaving as the all-time leading rusher and setting a bar that every back since has been chasing.
Why Panther Stadium hits different
There is something fundamentally different about watching a game at Panther Stadium. It only seats about 3,000 people. In the grand scheme of football, that’s tiny. But that’s the point. You’re close enough to hear the coaches screaming adjustments and see the look on a linebacker’s face right before the snap. It’s visceral.
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The stadium was renovated and opened around 2004, coinciding with the program's birth. It's not just a field; it's a neighborhood hub. Because the campus is tucked into the northeast side of Columbus, it draws a crowd that is a mix of alumni, local families, and scouts looking for that "diamond in the rough" prospect. The atmosphere isn't manufactured by giant Jumbotrons or choreographed light shows; it’s just pure, unadulterated football.
The Kelly Cummins era and the current G-MAC grind
After Conley stepped down, the torch passed to Kelly Cummins. Keeping a winning culture alive is arguably harder than building one from scratch. The G-MAC is a meat grinder. You’re playing teams like Ashland, Tiffin, and Findlay—schools that treat football like a religion. There are no "off" weeks in this conference.
Recently, the Panthers have had to navigate the post-pandemic landscape of the transfer portal, which has been brutal for DII schools. When an ODU player has a breakout year, the bigger schools often come knocking with NIL promises. It's a tough spot to be in. Yet, the program persists by focusing on "developmental" recruiting. They find the kid who is 6'4" but only weighs 210 pounds, put him in the weight room for two years, and turn him into an All-American defensive end.
- Recruiting the "614" area code is the lifeblood.
- Stability in the coaching staff prevents the "revolving door" syndrome seen at other DII programs.
- A heavy emphasis on academic balance keeps the roster intact.
The 2023 and 2024 seasons showed some growing pains, with a mix of high-scoring thrillers and tough defensive battles. They’ve had to lean on younger talent, which means more mistakes but also a higher ceiling for the coming years. Watching the development of the offensive line has been particularly interesting; they’ve moved toward a more agile, zone-blocking scheme that reflects how modern football is evolving even at the lower tiers.
Pro potential: It’s not just a pipe dream
Does anyone from Ohio Dominican University football actually make it to the NFL? Yeah. They do.
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Look at Jeff Hill. Or more prominently, look at the interest scouts have shown in their defensive backfield over the last decade. Because Columbus is such a scout-heavy city (due to the proximity of the Buckeyes), NFL representatives often make the short drive over to ODU's pro days. They know they’re going to find players who are fundamentally sound.
The "small school" stigma is basically dead anyway. If you can play, the league will find you. ODU’s weight program and film study habits are professional-grade, which prepares these guys for camp invites. It’s not just about the NFL, either. Panthers are scattered across the CFL and various indoor leagues. The program produces "football lifers."
The "Black and Gold" Identity
You can't talk about this team without mentioning the "Black and Gold" culture. It sounds like a marketing cliché, but it's real. There’s a specific blue-collar vibe to the program. They don’t have the $100 million practice facilities. They don't have private jets. They have a weight room, a film room, and a practice field.
This lack of fluff creates a specific kind of player.
When you see a Panther defender fly across the field on a special teams play, you’re seeing a guy who is playing for the love of the game because he isn't getting a massive NIL check. That’s the soul of DII. It’s why the rivalry games against schools like Ashland feel so personal. These guys have been playing against each other since high school in the OHSAA playoffs. The grudges run deep.
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Looking ahead: The path back to the playoffs
For Ohio Dominican to get back to that 2013-2014 level of dominance, they have to solve the consistency puzzle. The G-MAC has gotten significantly stronger over the last three years. Tiffin has been on a tear, and Ashland is always a powerhouse.
The path forward is through the trenches. ODU has always been at its best when they can dictate the tempo with a physical run game and a disciplined pass rush. Recently, they've experimented with more spread-option looks, trying to use the speed of their perimeter players to negate the size disadvantage they sometimes face against the massive lines of Northwood or Tiffin.
Is it working? Mostly. But the margin for error in DII is razor-thin. One bad turnover can end a playoff run before November even hits.
Next steps for fans and recruits:
If you're a local fan or a student athlete looking at the program, don't just check the box scores. Go to a game. Seriously.
- Watch the film: If you’re a recruit, look at the technical footwork of the ODU offensive line. It’s some of the best coaching in the region.
- Attend a Spring Game: This is where the real depth chart battles happen. It’s the best way to see the "new" faces before the fall rush.
- Check the G-MAC standings regularly: The conference website is surprisingly detailed and gives you a much better look at the statistical leaders than the national aggregate sites.
- Connect with the Alumni Association: ODU has a massive networking footprint in Columbus. For players, the "life after football" aspect is actually a primary selling point of the university.
The reality is that Ohio Dominican University football is a pillar of the Central Ohio sports scene. It provides a high-level alternative to the "corporate" feel of DI football while maintaining a standard of excellence that keeps the trophy case occupied. Whether they are hoisting a conference trophy or grinding through a rebuilding year, the Panthers remain a team that demands respect in the world of Division II athletics.