NORFOLK, Va. – After a 9-3 regular season and its most successful season in 10 years, Old Dominion University has signed Football Head Coach Ricky Rahne to a four-year contract extension, Athletics Director Dr. Wood Selig announced on Friday.
"I am incredibly proud of Old Dominion University Athletics for an outstanding year, which marked exciting and impressive milestones in both coverage and performance. With strong leadership from Dr. Selig and our outstanding coaching staff, among the many others who work tirelessly to provide positive experiences and enhanced opportunities, our student-athletes excelled in the classroom and in competition under a national spotlight,” said ODU President Brian O. Hemphill. “With Coach Rahne at the helm of our football program, we are looking forward to our upcoming post-season bowl experience. And we do so at a time in which Old Dominion University and Coach Rahne have made a long-term commitment to partner for the continued growth and success of our program. For those who attended home football games or traveled to Sun Belt Conference members schools, across the Commonwealth, or even further to places like Bloomington, Indiana, you created an unmatched fan experience with a great deal of energy and excitement. With home games including Norfolk State, East Carolina, James Madison, and Marshall, the 2026 season at S.B. Ballard Stadium and on the road promises to be both electrifying and rewarding for Monarch fans and supporters! "
Rahne has led ODU to a 9-3 record so far this season, it’s best since a 10-3 mark in 2016, and a berth in the StaffDNA Cure Bowl that kicks off on Wednesday, Dec. 17 against South Florida.
“Coach Rahne is most deserving of this new four-year contract. ODU is extremely fortunate to have his leadership especially at a time when continuity is scarce and program interruption is so costly both on and off the field,” Selig said. “Coach Rahne is a head coach that our student-athletes admire and respect. His ODU teams are always well prepared, and Ricky and his extraordinary staff continue to get the best-efforts day-in and day-out from our student-athletes. Our ODU football student-athletes excel in the classroom and on the field and Coach Rahne runs a model modern day football program. This is an exciting era for ODU football, and I could not be more thrilled for Monarch nation with this renewed commitment by ODU and coach Rahne.
Since Rahne’s first season on the field in 2021, Old Dominion has played in three bowl games, including the 2021 campaign that saw the Monarchs win the final five games of the regular season to earn its first bowl bid since 2016.
“I’m extremely thankful for the support of both Dr. Hemphill and Dr. Selig,” Rahne said. “Our staff and players are excited to continue to build towards championships here in the 757.”
This season ODU set a single season record with 2,843 rushing yards and are tied for fourth in the country with four games with 300+ rushing yards. ODU ranks in the top 20 in the country in rushing offense (7th), total offense (15th), red zone defense (10th), scoring defense (20th), sacks (11th) and tackles for loss (13th).
ODU has put together winning streaks of four and five games during the year and have outscored opponents 160-47 during the current five-game streak. During the current streak, the Monarchs have not allowed a point in the first quarter.
ODU completed an undefeated 6-0 record at home for the third time in program history and first since 2016.
Over the last three seasons, the Monarchs are tied for the third best record in Sun Belt with a 15-9 mark and is one of just three teams in that time frame to not have a losing conference record. During that time ODU has won three-straight games against Georgia State and Georgia Southern, and two of the last three against Coastal Carolina and App State. After sweeping its two games against Sun Belt West foes this season, the Monarchs have won six-straight and are 7-1 against SBC West opponents.