Brandon Crutchfield doesn’t have to look far to remember why he chose Old Dominion University. The North Carolina native found a home just a few hours from where he grew up, close enough for family to be part of his journey and far enough to carve out his own path. Now in his third year, Crutchfield has steadily climbed from special teams contributor to a starting role, a progression built on patience, preparation, and belief.
The Monarchs return home this week to host East Carolina, a school the North Carolina native Crutchfield is familiar with.
“It’s super fun being able to play at a school close to home,” Crutchfield said. “Just being able to go out there and show what I can do, and for the defense to show what we can do—it’s going to be a fun game for sure.”
Those words reflect a calm confidence that wasn’t always there. When he first arrived at ODU, the learning curve was steep. College football moves faster, demands more, and exposes every detail. Crutchfield leaned into the challenge, trusting that growth would come if he stayed patient and worked with intention.
“Trusting the process was the biggest thing,” he said. “Knowing it’s going to be a learning curve coming from high school to college, and we play in a big-time conference, we play big-time ball. I had to trust in my abilities and remember I’m still the guy ODU recruited me to be.”
Crutchfield’s first year was built on doing the little things right—running down on kickoffs, locking in on assignments and proving he could be counted on. Those reps mattered. They taught him how to prepare, how to study, and how to carry himself like a starter long before he earned the title. Last season, those lessons translated into meaningful snaps and a handful of starts. This year, he’s stepped fully into the role he’s been working toward.
Each step has reinforced the same lesson: consistency wins. The daily habits, the extra film sessions, and the attention to detail have become the foundation of his game. He talks often about trusting himself, but that trust was earned through repetition and accountability. It’s why he approaches every week with the same mindset, regardless of the opponent.
This weekend will bring back a familiar face for Crutchfield in ECU’s cornerbacks coach, Tarron Williams, the man who recruited Crutchfield to ODU.
“Coach T is a great guy,” Crutchfield said. “He poured a lot into me when I was here. I had a lot of late nights and early mornings with him. It’s going to be fun to connect with him again.”
Crutchfield’s competitive edge traces back to his father. The advice was simple but profound: trust the process and prepare relentlessly.
“The biggest thing with him was just trusting the process,” Crutchfield said. “Some things can’t be measured, and then just the preparation that goes into every day, every week—that’s the biggest thing I take from him.”
It’s a mindset that has anchored him through each phase of his development. His father taught him that progress isn’t always visible, and that the work done in quiet moments often makes the loudest impact on game day.
As the season unfolds, Crutchfield keeps his focus narrow. He doesn’t look weeks ahead or dwell on the last play. Instead, he returns to a phrase that has become a rallying point for the team.
“One thing that Coach Rahne says that sticks with us is that the hay is never in the barn,” he said. “There’s always preparation that can be put into the next week. That starts with today and pours into tomorrow, but the biggest thing is just winning the day.”