Old Dominion college football shouldn't really exist in its current form. If you look at the history of the sport, teams don't just "quit" for 69 years and then come back to become a legitimate bowl-game threat in the FBS. It’s weird. It defies the standard logic of program building. But here we are in 2026, and the Monarchs are a fixture of the Sun Belt Conference, a league that has basically become the "Group of Five" version of the SEC in terms of pure, unadulterated chaos.
People forget that S.B. Ballard Stadium used to be a place where the program sat in mothballs from 1941 all the way until 2009. That’s a lifetime. When Bobby Wilder stood on the sidelines for that first restart game against Chowan, nobody knew if Norfolk even cared about college football anymore. It turns out they did. They cared a lot.
The Monarchs and the Art of the "Power Five" Upset
Let's talk about the Virginia Tech thing. Honestly, if you want to understand the soul of Old Dominion college football, you have to look at 2018. The Hokies rolled into Norfolk ranked No. 13 in the country. They expected a tune-up. What they got was a 49-35 shellacking led by Blake LaRussa, a backup quarterback who played the game of his life.
That wasn't a fluke.
ODU has built a specific identity around being the team that big programs are terrified to schedule for a "buy game." They did it again to Tech in 2022. There is something about the humidity in the 757 and the way the wind rolls off the Elizabeth River that turns the Monarchs into giant-killers. They play with a chip on their shoulder because most of their roster consists of guys who were overlooked by the ACC or the Big Ten.
Ricky Rahne, who took over the headset after a successful stint as Penn State's offensive coordinator, has leaned into this. He didn't try to make ODU a "lite" version of a blue-blood program. He made them gritty. Under Rahne, the Monarchs have become synonymous with "one-score games." In 2023, they played an absurd number of games decided by a touchdown or less. It’s bad for your blood pressure, but it’s incredible for TV ratings.
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Why the 757 Recruiting Base is a Gold Mine
You’ve probably heard of the "757." It’s the area code for Hampton Roads, and it produces an absurd amount of NFL talent. Think Lawrence Taylor, Percy Harvin, and Michael Vick. For decades, the local talent just left. They went to Blacksburg, or Charlottesville, or Tallahassee.
Old Dominion college football changed the math.
- They don't get all the five-stars. Obviously.
- They get the kids who are "too small" for the SEC but have elite speed.
- They keep the local culture alive in the locker room.
When you walk into S.B. Ballard Stadium now, it doesn't feel like a small-school environment. It feels intimate. It's loud. The fans are right on top of the field. This home-field advantage is one of the most underrated aspects of the Sun Belt. While teams in the MAC or Conference USA are playing in front of half-empty bleachers on a Tuesday night, ODU usually has a packed house of people who genuinely love the Monarchs.
The Sun Belt Move: A Stroke of Genius
Joining the Sun Belt was the smartest move the administration ever made. Conference USA was falling apart, and ODU needed a home that made sense geographically. Now, they have natural rivalries. They play James Madison University (JMU) in the "Royal Rivalry." This isn't some manufactured corporate trophy game; these schools and their fans legitimately dislike each other. It’s great.
The Sun Belt East division is a meat grinder. You have Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Marshall, and Georgia Southern. On any given Saturday, any of these teams can beat a Top 25 opponent. ODU fits right into that chaos. They aren't just participants; they are disruptors.
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The Quarterback Conundrum and Offensive Evolution
For a long time, the Monarchs were known for a "basketball on grass" style of offense. Think Taylor Heinicke. Before he was starting games for the Washington Commanders or the Falcons, he was putting up video game numbers at ODU. He threw for over 14,000 yards in his career.
Recently, the offense has had to evolve. The transfer portal changed everything. It’s harder to keep a star quarterback for four years now. If a guy lights it up in Norfolk, a big-money NIL collective from the Big 12 usually comes calling. Rahne has had to get creative with the run game and utilizing "positionless" athletes.
It’s not always pretty. Sometimes the offense stalls, and they have to rely on a defense that spends way too much time on the field. But the Monarchs have developed a reputation for being "multiple"—basically, they change their scheme based on who they’re playing. It’s a survival tactic.
What People Get Wrong About ODU
Most casual fans think Old Dominion is a "commuter school" that just happens to have a football team. That’s old news. The campus has transformed. The investment in the stadium renovation—which cost roughly $67 million—turned a crumbling concrete bowl into a modern facility.
Also, don't assume they are satisfied just being in a bowl game. The goal in Norfolk has shifted. With the expanded 12-team (and now 14-team) playoff discussions, the Sun Belt champion is always in the hunt for that Group of Five playoff spot. ODU isn't just playing for a trip to the Myrtle Beach Bowl anymore; they are playing for national relevance.
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The Reality of NIL at a Mid-Major
Let's be real: Old Dominion isn't out-bidding Texas for recruits. The "Old Dominion Athletic Foundation" does great work, but the NIL era is a challenge. They focus on "retention NIL"—making sure their best players feel taken care of so they don't jump ship to a Power Five school for a backup role and a paycheck. It’s a delicate balance. It requires a coaching staff that players actually want to play for. Rahne has managed to maintain a culture that feels like a family, which sounds cliché until you see these guys playing their hearts out in a rainstorm against Georgia State.
Practical Steps for the Modern Monarch Fan
If you're looking to actually engage with the program or attend a game, don't just show up at kickoff. You'll miss the best parts.
- Tailgate at Kaufman Mall: This is the heart of the pre-game experience. It’s where the "March to the Stadium" happens. It’s arguably the best tailgating scene in the Virginia tidewater area.
- Check the Silver Out/White Out Schedule: The school is big on themed games. If you show up in blue when everyone else is in silver, you're going to feel like an outsider.
- The "Ice Cream" Tradition: Keep an eye on the stadium traditions. The Monarchs have a specific way of celebrating big plays that involves the "Monarch Mane" hand signal. Learn it.
- Follow the Transfer Portal: If you want to know who’s going to be starting in September, you have to watch the spring window. ODU lives and dies by finding gems in the portal who weren't getting playing time at bigger schools.
The trajectory of Old Dominion college football is pointed upward, but it's a steep climb. They are in one of the toughest conferences in the country, fighting for airtime in a state dominated by UVa and Virginia Tech fans. But that's exactly how they like it. They are the blue-collar alternative. They are the team that refuses to stay buried.
Next time you see a late-night Sun Belt game on the schedule, don't skip over the Monarchs. You might just see the next great upset in the making. Keep an eye on the defensive line depth and the special teams efficiency—those are the areas where Rahne is currently building the most "weight" to compete for a conference title. The schedule is never easy, but in Norfolk, "easy" was never the point.