Old Dominion’s struggles on the field continued during the 2024 campaign.
The Monarchs finished 5-7, falling short of bowl eligibility for the second time in the past three seasons under head coach Ricky Rahne. Despite a competitive stretch in Sun Belt, that saw all of their conference losses decided by 10 or fewer points, ODU struggled with offensive inconsistency, particularly through the air, and could not generate enough explosive plays.
When asked at the Sun Belt Media Days about what the team would need to do to improve its record at home–they went 2-4 last season–Rahne talked about protecting the football and creating turnovers.
“In the third quarters is one of the areas where we’ve got to make some huge improvements right there,” Rahne said. “It was a different story in each of the games. There wasn’t one theme.”
Defensively, the team showed flashes–particularly from a rising linebacker corps–but was often overmatched in the trenches. The season did, however, provide valuable reps for young talent, setting the stage for a potentially more cohesive 2025.
Roster Turnover
Redshirt sophomore Colton Joseph returns as the projected starting quarterback after throwing for 1,207 yards and 10 touchdowns, and adding another 454 yards and six scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability makes him one of the most important pieces in Rahne’s offense, under third-year offensive coordinator Kevin Decker.
Manning Award Watchlist
@_ColtonJoseph1: https://t.co/uBDmUFM7RS#ReignOn | #BeTheReason pic.twitter.com/CSAc8e7V2K
— ODU Football (@ODUFootball) August 15, 2025
The skilled positions saw massive turnover through graduations and the transfer portal. Devin Roche is the top returning rusher (172 yards, two touchdowns) and receiver (54 receiving yards), while Maurki James and Troy Marquez could emerge in expanded backfield roles.
Tight end depth includes experienced redshirt juniors Jailen Butler and Trey Lancaster, yet neither player recorded any receptions in 2024. The wide receiver room is largely unproven, with the top seven in receiving yards no longer on the roster.
Defensively, linebacker Mario Thompson returns after a breakout season with 9.5 tackles for loss and four sacks, supported by Jahleel Culbreath and Seth and Koa Natoala, who combined for over 80 tackles last season.
Both the secondary and defensive fronts are youthful groups, and both units had only modest production in 2024. Special teams are also an uncertainty, with both punter Ian Brandt and kicker Nathaniel Eichner seeing limited action.
Despite the roster turnover, Rahne is excited about the leadership that emerged through the fall camp in preparation for the season.
“I just think we have more player leadership than we’ve ever had before,” Rahne said during the weekly press conference this week. “[The] guys are really leading and they are not waiting for the coaches to take the reigns on that. I think that’s something that shows a positive culture and that’s something that, you know, we can build on throughout the year.”
3️⃣ Monarchs named to @ShrineBowl 1000 Watchlist!@JasonH_42 @mariothompson3_ @KrisTrinidad43 #ReignOn | #BeTheReason pic.twitter.com/RjIz5FOnqM
— ODU Football (@ODUFootball) August 2, 2025
More in-depth information about what the 2025 Old Dominion look like can be found here.
Schedule Breakdown
Old Dominion’s 2025 schedule starts off with a brutal stretch. Sandwiched between a home tilt against FCS opponent North Carolina Central, the Monarchs travel to Bloomington, Indiana, to face No. 20 ranked Indiana. Week 3 sees ODU facing off against in-state rival Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.
After a bye, Old Dominion returns home to face Liberty in their final nonconference matchup before diving into Sun Belt play with back-to-back home games against Coastal Carolina and Appalachian State. ODU lost both those matchups last season by eight points.
After facing off against Marshall on the road, the Monarchs renew the “Royal Rivalry” against James Madison. While this rivalry dates back to 1972 for sports like basketball and men’s soccer, the football series started in 2011. Old Dominion is looking for their first win in the series since a 38-28 victory in 2012, when both teams were members of the then-Colonial Athletic Association of the FCS.
The road continues to add obstacles to success for Old Dominion, with away games at ULM and Georgia Southern. A Thursday night primetime game on ESPN against Troy on Nov. 13 adds even more pressure. While the back half of the schedule has some “winnable” games, the team would need to stay healthy and cohesive to achieve it.
Projected 2025 Record
Floor: 3-9
Ceiling: 7-5
Projected Record: 5-7
Story to Watch
The Monarchs’ 2025 season hinges on the progression of Joseph.
After a promising 2024 campaign in which he accounted for more than 1,600 total yards and 16 total touchdowns, Joseph is expected to take full control of the offense. His running ability adds a dynamic element, but he will need to become a more consistent passer–especially with a young and unproven receiving corps.
If Joseph can elevate his play and cut down on mistakes, Old Dominion might surprise teams in the Sun Belt East and earn its first winning season since 2016. If not, Rahne may have to look to the future with young QBs like Holden Brown or incoming freshman Gabe Dombek out of Brooke Point HS (Va.).
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