Episodes
-
Brandon Carr helped build Old Dominion Football from the ground up. Now the former Monarch offensive lineman is building football players, leaders and young men as the head coach at Indian River High School.
Coach Carr joins Aaron and Mike to pull back the curtain on ODU Football’s original era, including the brutal offseason workouts that established the program’s standard, the moment the Monarchs realized they belonged, the comeback from 21 points down at JMU and what made ODU’s explosive 2011 offense so difficult to stop.
Brandon also explains how an aspiring baseball player and future FBI agent discovered his calling as a football coach. He breaks down his relationship-driven coaching philosophy, the importance of consistency and accountability, and how Indian River has created a culture in which players fall in love with the work.
The offensive line talk gets deep, too. Brandon discusses how he evaluates young linemen, why fundamentals and athleticism create a true mean streak, the meaning behind “Doing Simple Great” and why he partnered with former UVA and NFL linebacker Eli Harold to develop the next generation of big men in the 757.
Plus:
• The lessons Brandon learned at Fork Union
• Why he chose ODU and believed in Bobby Wilder’s vision
• What happened inside the locker room during the JMU comeback
• The brotherhood that makes offensive line rooms different
• Why relationships still matter in the NIL era
• His most important advice for recruits: “Love who loves you”
• A preview of Indian River’s experienced 2026 team
• His DMX pregame soundtrack
• The former Monarch he would add to Indian River’s roster
• Why ODU Football’s best days are still ahead
This episode is brought to you by the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation. Because of you, we create winners in the classroom, in athletic competition and in life. Become an ODAF member today.
Like the episode, subscribe to The Monarchists and tell us your favorite memory from the original era of ODU Football.
Go Monarchs!
#ODUFootball #MonarchNation #757Football
Chapters
00:00 ODAF Intro
00:17 Meet Brandon Carr
00:48 From Baseball Dreams to Football
03:31 Fork Union and Relentless Determination
05:19 Building ODU Football From the Ground Up
08:10 Delaware, Belief and the Explosive 2011 Offense
10:28 Wing-T Roots and Becoming ODU’s Center
12:05 Why Brandon Chose Old Dominion
14:20 From FBI Plans to a Coaching Calling
17:05 Inside ODU’s Comeback at JMU
19:35 Brandon Carr’s Coaching Philosophy
22:35 Becoming Indian River’s Head Coach
24:50 Creating Buy-In Through Consistency
27:45 Falling in Love With the Work
28:40 How Brandon Develops Offensive Linemen
30:10 Building the 757’s Big Men With Eli Harold
31:30 What “Doing Simple Great” Really Means
32:32 Technique, Athleticism and the Mean Streak
35:06 How Offensive Line Play Has Evolved
36:40 Teaching Football Without Overcomplicating It
38:25 Recruiting Advice: “Love Who Loves You”
40:20 Brandon’s Advice to His Younger Self
42:03 Previewing Indian River’s 2026 Team
43:25 The Game Everyone Circles
44:00 Rapid Fire: O-Line Life, DMX and Nick Mayers
47:05 The Most Rewarding Part of Coaching
48:05 Brandon’s Message to Monarch Nation
-
He walked on at Old Dominion with zero scholarship offers from the D1 level — and left as a 4-year starter, team captain, and CAA Champion. Now Robbie Duncan is the Head Football Coach at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, building a program from the ground up in Hampton Roads.
In this episode of The Monarchists Podcast, Robbie sits down with Mike and Aaron to talk about:
🏈 Walking onto ODU's brand-new program in 2008 and turning a preferred walk-on spot into a full ride
🏈 The legendary 2010 ODU offensive line — Ryan Jensen, Brandon Carr, Jeremy Hensley, and the infamous "Prick of the Week" t-shirt
🏈 His (very good) impressions of Coach Bobby Wilder, Bro Scott, and Bill Dee
🏈 Why he turned down a shot at pro football because of a herniated disc
🏈 Building a coaching philosophy at Western Branch before taking over at NSA
🏈 The public vs. private school football debate — and why he thinks private programs get disrespected
🏈 The insane story of how he met his wife, Kelly (she hit his car)
🏈 A zombie apocalypse survival squad built entirely out of former ODU offensive linemen
🏈 Why the Norfolk Academy rivalry game is a must-see this fall
Whether you're a Monarch die-hard, a Hampton Roads high school football fan, or you bleed Saints green and gold at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy, this one's for you.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS BELOW
👇 Subscribe for more ODU Football, Baseball, and Women's Basketball coverage all season long.
Follow The Monarchists:
X: @ODUMonarchists
Instagram: @odumonarchists
Facebook: @ODUMonarchists
Website: odumonarchists.com
This episode is brought to you by the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation. Because of you, we create winners in the classroom, in athletic competition, and in life. Become a member today.
#ODUFootball #Monarchs #NansemondSuffolkAcademy #HamptonRoadsFootball #757Football #CAAFootball #FCSFootball #OffensiveLine #HighSchoolFootball #virginiafootball
00:00 Intro — Welcome Coach Robbie Duncan
00:12 Falling in love with football (and a full-pads panic attack)
02:00 The coach who leveled up his game in high school
03:00 Why Northern Virginia keeps producing great offensive linemen
04:00 Why ODU: his Hall of Fame grandfather and choosing ODU over CNU
06:00 Redshirt year, 4-year starter, and winning a CAA Championship
07:00 The scholarship call at Nags Head — and getting bumped to full ride
09:00 Breaking down the legendary 2010 O-line — Jensen, Carr, Hensley & more
12:00 The "Prick of the Week" T-shirt story
13:00 Robbie's coach impressions: Bobby Wilder, Bro Scott & Bill Dee
17:00 Why he chose coaching over chasing pro football
19:00 Why ODU O-linemen keep becoming coaches
22:00 Learning the ropes at Western Branch High School
23:30 His coaching philosophy: K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Stupid)
27:30 Position coach vs. head coach — and how Madden helped him learn play-calling
30:00 Landing the head coaching job at Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
32:30 Building culture and getting O-linemen to camp together
34:00 Public vs. private school football — setting the record straight
37:00 Keeping multi-sport athletes fresh and healthy
42:00 The state semifinal loss and NSA's new motto: "Raise the Stakes"
44:00 Play like it's your last — the Charles Walls story
46:00 Robbie's pitch to parents considering NSA football
48:00 What football teaches you about life
50:00 Family life — his wife Kelly and daughters Riley & Claire
52:00 LIGHTNING ROUND: How he met Kelly (she hit his car)
54:00 Ideal weight room music: Metallica, Disturbed & Pearl Jam
55:30 Zombie apocalypse squad: 3 former ODU teammates he'd bring
56:30 Superstitions and Jonathan Plisco's legendary pregame punt routine
58:00 Best pregame team meals — Spanish rice wins
1:00:30 The one NSA game you have to see this fall (Norfolk Academy rivalry)
1:02:00 Message to ODU fans & memories of beating JMU twice
1:04:30 The William & Mary "All Blacks" jersey reveal — an ODU history nugget
1:05:30 Closing — Go Monarchs
-
Missing episodes?
-
In this episode, Mike and Justice sit down with Old Dominion University alum Brandon Linney, currently the running backs coach for the Presbyterian College Blue Hose! Coach Linney takes us through his incredible, relentless journey climbing the college football coaching ranks. From starting out as a passionate volunteer student assistant at ODU to coaching at multiple Division I and JUCO programs before the age of 30, Brandon breaks down his philosophy on player development, the "gallon mentality," and what it truly takes to make it in this game. Whether you are a Monarch fan, a Blue Hose supporter, or an aspiring coach, this is a masterclass in perseverance, teaching, and building authentic relationships.
-
Coach Finny is back with CB and Gary to cover the transfer portal and recruiting. We have updates on the stadium construction and a big scheduling scheduling announcement. Plus we talk about the College World Series and Troy's run to Omaha
-
How do NFL teams really build championship rosters?
This week, The Monarchists sit down with ODU football pioneer and Philadelphia Eagles Vice President of Player Personnel Charles Walls for an incredible conversation about football, leadership, scouting, roster construction, and the journey from the very first ODU football team to helping build Super Bowl champions.
Charles shares stories from ODU's early days under Bobby Wilder, working alongside Taylor Heinicke, Thomas DeMarco, Nick Mayers, Ronnie Cameron, and Deron Mayo, breaking into the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, learning from some of the league's top executives, and eventually helping the Eagles build one of the NFL's premier rosters.
We also dive into:
🏈 How NFL scouting actually works
🏈 What teams are really looking for in prospects
🏈 Transfer Portal & NIL impacts on NFL evaluations
🏈 Eagles Super Bowl championship culture
🏈 Lessons from Green Bay, Cleveland, and Philadelphia
🏈 ODU's rise from startup program to national brand
🏈 The future of roster building in college football
This is one of the most fascinating football conversations we've ever had on The Monarchists.
If you love football, scouting, leadership, team building, the NFL Draft, or ODU Football, this episode is for you.
🔵 Subscribe for more ODU Football, ODU Basketball, and Monarch Athletics coverage.
#ODU #OldDominion #PhiladelphiaEagles #NFLDraft #NFLScouting #CharlesWalls #ODUFootball #TheMonarchists
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:00 Why Charles Chose ODU Over Kent State
02:45 Life on ODU's First Football Team
07:00 Building a CAA Powerhouse
08:00 ODU Players Who Don't Get Enough Credit
10:00 Transitioning from Player to Coach
12:00 The Conversation That Changed Everything
13:30 Breaking Into the NFL with Green Bay
18:30 Career Growth & Lessons for Young Professionals
21:30 Why Relationships Matter in Football
24:30 What NFL Scouts Really Do
25:15 Inside an NFL Draft Cycle
28:15 How Teams Handle Scout Disagreements
30:00 Evaluating Character in the Transfer Portal Era
32:30 Why the Transfer Portal Isn't All Bad
36:00 The Hidden Work of NFL Scouting
38:30 Scouting ODU Legend Rick Lovato
40:30 Life on the Road as an NFL Scout
42:00 Charles' Favorite Concert & Jay-Z Story
44:00 Winning a Super Bowl with Philadelphia
45:30 Could NFL Roster Building Work in College Football?
47:00 Why Charles Always Gives Back to ODU
49:00 Seeing SB Ballard Stadium for the First Time
50:30 Rapid Fire Questions
56:45 Final Thoughts & Go Monarchs
-
ODU Football head coach Ricky Rahne joins The Monarchists to talk spring ball, the importance of summer development, recruiting camps, roster retention, NIL/revenue sharing, offensive line progress, and why Monarch fans should embrace the team in front of them right now.
Coach also explains why summer workouts shape the heart and soul of a football team, what ODU looks for during camps, how player leadership develops in June and July, and why the best days of college football can still be ahead.
Plus: golf tournament stories, Coach Snodgrass praise, honest recruiting insight, and a surprise wrestling detour at the end.
Subscribe, like, comment, and share with Monarch Nation.
Go Monarchs!
Chapters
00:00 Intro & ODAF shoutout
01:00 Spring ball recap: 15 practices, not 16
02:35 Offensive line progress
04:00 Coach Snodgrass and the importance of summer development
06:45 ODU Football golf tournament
09:50 Football camps and players coaching campers
12:45 What makes a successful summer?
16:20 NCAA recruiting calendar and rule complexity
19:15 What ODU evaluates at camps
23:05 What can be taught vs. what traits are harder to change
25:25 Recruiting measurables and why height exaggerations hurt players
29:25 NIL, revenue sharing, recruiting, and roster retention
34:00 Post-camp evaluations and offer decisions
35:45 Evaluating camp data and long-distance campers
37:00 How ODU treats every camper
38:25 New offensive line coaches
40:45 What ODU fans should do before the season
41:45 “The good old days are never coming back”
44:00 Bonus wrestling talk with Coach Rahne
47:00 Coach Rahne thanks The Monarchists
48:00 Go Monarchs
-
Monarch Nation… this one belongs in the ODU Hall of Fame.
Taylor Heinicke finally joins The Monarchists Podcast and delivers an all-time conversation that every Old Dominion fan needs to hear. From the real recruiting story that brought him to Norfolk, to getting thrown into the fire against ranked UMass, to 730 yards in one afternoon, to JMU heartbreakers (for them), to NFL playoff chaos, Busch Light fines, and the moment he knew it was time to walk away from football — nothing is off limits.
This episode is raw, hilarious, emotional, and deeply Monarch-proud. Taylor reflects on:
- The improbable moments that built ODU Football
- His relationship with Thomas DeMarco, Larry Pinkard, and teammates
- Life-changing NFL moments (including that Tampa Bay playoff game)
- Why he’s retiring — and why Virginia Beach is home next
- And yes… the full Busch Light plane story 🍺😅
If you love Old Dominion. If you lived those early ODU Football seasons. If you still get chills thinking about JMU, New Hampshire, or Washington vs Tampa…
👉 This episode is for you.
🎙️ The Best — and ONLY — ODU Podcast
👑 Be a Monarchist. Join The Pride.
⏱️ Chapters
0:00 – Presented by The Pride of ODU
1:00 – Taylor Heinicke finally joins The Monarchists
3:05 – The real story of how Taylor ended up at ODU
6:45 – Late recruiting chaos & betting on himself
9:35 – Arriving as a freshman & the Oregon-style offense
12:40 – Thomas DeMarco injury & getting thrown into the fire vs UMass
16:30 – Campus fame, Heineke shirts & pre-NIL madness
19:05 – 730 yards vs New Hampshire (and surviving the heat)
23:00 – Punting, fake punts & Kevin Byard ending it
26:40 – That JMU scramble + Larry Pinkard catch
31:20 – Transitioning ODU from FCS → FBS
35:30 – Favorite ODU moment (it’s not his play 👀)
38:30 – Wild off-field team stories
41:00 – Golf talk (yes, a lot of golf talk ⛳)
43:45 – Lowest moment → NFL comeback mindset
46:10 – Washington playoff game vs Tom Brady
48:55 – Taylor announces his retirement 🏈❤️
51:40 – Taylor’s message to Monarch Nation
52:55 – Go Monarchs 👑
-
CB and Gary recap the 2026 season with Coach Finwood. Finny gives us a behind the scenes view of the exit interview process and a stadium update. The guys will be back in June for a recruiting update.
-
CB and Gary recap a series win over JMU and reveal Players of the Week. Then a quick preview of the Sun Belt Baseball Tournament before the fellas head off to Montgomery.
-
Darin Kuskie and Nick Sulpizio join to recap a series win over #8 Coastal Carolina. CB, Gary and Coach Finwood look ahead to the final series against JMU and who you should root for this weekend.
-
CB and Gary recap and SBC series win and a week with two walk off victories. Brody Connors and Maddox Jack hop on to tell their ODU story.
-
CB, Gary and Coach Finny recap the Georgia State series, including the gut wrenching loss on Sunday. The guys look ahead to the final 9 SBC games of the year and what ODU needs to do to make the tournament.
-
CB, Gary and Coach Finny recap a 4-0 week with a sweep of Georgia Southern. Monarch outfielders TJ Aiken and Nick Felton hop on to talk about the weekend, Nick's walk off win and what's considered the south.
-
RHP JJ Gatti joins this week, fresh off this third consecutive strong start. CB, Gary and Coach Finny recap a 2-2 week and look ahead to a big weekend series with Georgia Southern
-
ODU Baseball Sophomore Efrain Morales joins the guys to talk about his big bounce back from injury. Coach Finny hops on to recap 4 games against Top 10 opponents and the big win Friday.
-
Old Dominion fans have had a lot of questions lately about the future of ODU Athletics, NIL, revenue sharing, the AD search, and what Monarchs+ is really supposed to be.
In this episode of The Monarchists Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Ron Moses, ODU’s Deputy Athletic Director for Student Athlete Advancement, Revenue Growth, and Competitive Strategy, for one of the most informative conversations we’ve had in a long time.
Dr. Moses breaks down the current Athletic Director search, why search firms matter, how FOIA can impact executive hires, and what kind of timeline fans should realistically expect. Then we dive deep into the new college athletics landscape, including the difference between traditional NIL and revenue sharing, how ODU is approaching both, and why accountability, infrastructure, and fan experience now matter more than ever.
We also get into Complete Champions, ODU’s NIL arm, and the launch of Monarchs+, a new membership model built to give fans more access, more content, exclusive gear, and a more direct connection to Old Dominion Athletics.
This is a must-listen if you care about where ODU Athletics is headed and how Monarch Nation can help shape it.
Become a member of Monarchs+ and the Old Dominion Athletic Foundation today and support the future of ODU Athletics.
https://odusports.com/monarchs-plus#subscribe
Subscribe now and stay locked in with The Monarchists, the best and ONLY ODU podcast on the planet.
#ODU #ODUAthletics #OldDominion #MonarchsPlus #NIL #RevenueSharing #TheMonarchists
Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:28 Meet Dr. Ron Moses
1:00 What Dr. Moses actually does at ODU
2:10 AD search timeline and what fans should know
5:05 Why schools use search firms
8:15 FOIA, airport interviews, and how searches stay private
10:18 NIL vs. revenue share explained
14:12 ODU’s commitment to revenue sharing
18:07 Accountability and building winning systems
22:18 Can ODU win across all sports in this era?
27:18 What Complete Champions actually does
32:20 How local businesses can partner with ODU athletes
33:28 What Monarchs+ is and why it matters
38:22 Building the infrastructure behind Monarchs+
42:42 Behind the Shield, the new paywall, and fan experience
44:18 Events, access, and what fans can expect from Monarchs+
47:24 How current supporters can convert to Monarchs+
51:50 Exclusive gear and sideline apparel possibilities
54:18 Final message to ODU fans
57:18 Closing thoughts
-
CB, Gary and Coach Finny recap the series at South Alabama. Freshmen pitchers Ben Tanton and Jackson Okonkwo hop on to chat all things pitching, hidden talents and getting the win on Saturday.
-
CB, Gary and Coach Finny recap a 2-2 week and a series loss to App State. The guys dive into the pitching staff and how they can get back on the right track. Patrick Johnson joins to talk about earning the win on Friday out of the pen and much more!
-
We recap a 1-3 week against ECU and Troy then look ahead to Norfolk State and App State. Outfielder Tyler Zedalis joins to talk about his hot start to the season and growing up in a baseball family.
-
CB, Gary and Coach Finny recaps ODU's 2-2 week against UConn and VCU. Catcher Jack Slater joins the pod to talk about baseball and what is lined up for him after his final season.
- Show more
