I remember sitting in the stands during Old Dominion's first FBS season back in 2014, watching this fledgling program take its initial steps into big-time college football. What struck me then—and what continues to impress me now—is how the program has evolved from simply trying to compete to strategically building something sustainable. The transformation I've witnessed reminds me of how successful organizations across different fields operate, including something I recently read about a 24-year-old entrepreneur who built a solid following not only in their home country but in neighboring countries as well, like Thailand and Myanmar. That geographical expansion strategy mirrors what ODU football has been doing with its recruiting approach—establishing a strong local foundation while strategically expanding its reach into adjacent territories.
When I look at how head coach Ricky Rahne and his staff approach recruiting, I see a program that understands its identity and plays to its strengths. They've created what I'd call a "regional dominance with selective national reach" strategy. About 65% of their recruits come from within a 300-mile radius of Norfolk—Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina—but they're smart about targeting specific talent-rich areas beyond that core region. Last year, I noticed they pulled three players from Florida and two from Ohio, states where they've developed strategic relationships with high school programs. This balanced approach gives them the local foundation they need while allowing them to supplement with national talent where it makes sense.
What really stands out to me is their developmental philosophy. They're not just looking for the finished products—they're identifying athletes with specific traits they know they can develop. I've spoken with several members of their coaching staff over the years, and they consistently mention looking for what they call "program fits"—players who might be undervalued by Power Five programs but possess the work ethic and specific athletic qualities they prioritize. Last season, 8 of their 22 starters were players who hadn't received any other FBS offers coming out of high school. That developmental success rate is something I find particularly impressive because it speaks to their coaching staff's ability to identify and develop talent that others overlook.
The strategic element extends beyond just player acquisition. I've observed how they've built their offensive and defensive schemes around the specific talents they're able to recruit rather than trying to force players into predetermined systems. Their offensive coordinator Kevin Decker has shown remarkable flexibility in tailoring the offense to the strengths of his personnel. When they have a mobile quarterback, they incorporate more run-pass options. When they have a strong-armed pocket passer, they adjust accordingly. This adaptability creates what I consider one of their biggest competitive advantages—they're never trying to fit square pegs into round holes.
Their focus on building through the trenches is another aspect I particularly appreciate. In modern football, where flashy skill players often get the attention, ODU has maintained a clear understanding that games are won at the line of scrimmage. Over the past three recruiting cycles, they've consistently allocated about 40% of their scholarships to offensive and defensive linemen. That commitment to building from the inside out might not generate headlines in February, but it pays dividends in November when they're still physically fresh and controlling games against conference opponents.
The culture-building component is where I believe ODU has made its most significant strides. Having followed the program closely since its inception, I've noticed a distinct shift in how players talk about the program and their commitment to it. There's a genuine sense of brotherhood that transcends individual talent levels. Coach Rahne often speaks about finding "our kind of guys," and while that might sound like coachspeak, I've seen tangible evidence of what that means in practice. Players who buy into the program's work ethic and team-first mentality tend to stay and develop, creating continuity that's rare in today's transfer portal era.
Looking at their non-conference scheduling strategy provides another window into their thoughtful approach. They've been strategic about mixing winnable games against regional FCS opponents with challenging matchups against Power Five programs that provide both exposure and significant financial benefits. The $1.9 million they received for playing at Virginia Tech last season, for instance, directly funds facility improvements and recruiting operations. These financial considerations might not be glamorous, but they're essential for a program building toward sustained success.
The investment in facilities has been another critical piece of the puzzle. When I toured their new operations building last spring, what struck me wasn't just the state-of-the-art equipment but how every space was designed with player development in mind. From the recovery zones to the film study rooms, everything serves the dual purpose of enhancing performance and reinforcing the program's culture. They've committed approximately $12 million to football-specific facilities over the past five years, and while that might not compare to Alabama's budget, it demonstrates a serious commitment to providing their players with the tools they need to succeed.
What I find most compelling about ODU's approach is how all these elements—recruiting, strategy, culture, facilities—work together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. They're not trying to out-Alabama Alabama or out-Clemson Clemson. They've identified a sustainable model that works for their specific context, much like that young entrepreneur building a following across Southeast Asia by understanding regional nuances while maintaining core consistency. The program has grown from its initial phase of simply trying to establish credibility to now competing consistently in the Sun Belt Conference. While they haven't broken through to conference championship level yet, the foundation they've built suggests it's not a matter of if but when. Having watched this program grow from its infancy, I'm convinced their methodical, strategic approach positions them well for the next phase of their development—transitioning from consistent competitors to legitimate championship contenders.