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Old Dominion finished 5-7 last season but had a 2-4 record at home. The Monarchs played in five one-score games, closing the year with a 40-32 win over Arkansas State. Old Dominion coach Ricky Rahne said at Sun Belt media days in New Orleans that the Monarchs are emphasizing performing better in the second half.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have to protect the football, take it away and play better,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Rahne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThe third quarter is an area where we need to make improvements. It was a different story in each game. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s more about making sure weÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re detail-oriented to close that gap.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

With Rahne in attendance for SBC media days were senior offensive lineman Zach Barlev and redshirt senior defensive lineman Kris Trinidad. Both reiterated that point of finishing work.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œSometimes, coming out of halftime, we would start a little slow,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Barlev said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIf we came out a little more passionate, we break those down a little bit.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Added Trinidad: ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re emphasizing finishing our work this offseason, especially conditioning and things of that nature. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re focusing on attacking 100% like we do in the first (quarter). We want to stay at that level through the last.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Rahne is the dean of Sun Belt coaches entering his sixth year in Norfolk, Virginia, a role he called ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œa little humbling.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Of note, while itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s his sixth year, itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s only his fifth season, as the Monarchs did not play in what would have been his first season in 2020 due to COVID-19.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI went from being a first-time coach what feels like a month ago to now going into my sixth year and fifth season,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Rahne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s remarkable. ItÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s been awesome to work with these guys.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

That said, there may be pressure as the Monarchs are predicted fifth in the SBC East.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œPreseason polls, in my opinion, are the silliest thing we do in all of college sports,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Rahne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œEspecially now ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” no one knows these players, no one knows these teams, no one has seen how these people work.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI understand that we have to have preseason polls to make sure that we have content for the internet, but IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™m in the belief that we shouldnÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t have polls until Week 4 or 5.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Old Dominion retained a significant portion of its players from last season and brings back a pair of quarterbacks who were in contention for the job ahead of camp ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” Colton Joseph and Quinn Henicle.

Joseph played in nine games last season, completing 133 of 222 passes for 1,627 yards and 11 touchdowns. Henicle appeared in five games with 181 yards and two touchdowns. Henicle started the final game of the season. Henicle is more of a dual-threat. As a freshman, he ran for 206 yards and three touchdowns.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re blessed. WeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re the only team that has two quarterbacks coming back that were both Sun Belt Players of the Week. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a blessing, and those two guys compete all the time,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Rahne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œColton has more experience than Quinn does by playing a few games. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s taken a majority of our ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥˜1ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ reps. IÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve really seen growth in him as a player and leader.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œQuinn has grown confidence in the offense and his ability to prepare. When youÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™re a true freshman, itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s like drinking through a fire hose. HeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s really slowed things down this spring, and this summer, heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s had a huge confidence in what heÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s able to do. I think our team has a chance to win, no matter who is under center.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Old DominionÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s schedule figures to be well received by fans. The Monarchs have in-state matchups with Virginia Tech and Liberty scheduled, along with another Power Four game against 2024 playoff contender Indiana.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe get a chance to play two (autonomy conference) teams, one of which was a College Football Playoff participant last year. ThatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s an exciting opportunity for our players. We also get three in-state opponents,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Rahne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œI think thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s unique to the state of Virginia. You can play so many opponents from the state.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Rahne said a big strength toward a quick install in the spring for the Monarchs was their retention of staff.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œReally proud of the continuity we have on our staff. We return all of our coaches except for one. We have one new coach, (offensive quality control coach) Ryan Wilson, who has been a great addition,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Rahne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWe have our offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, special teams coordinator, strength coach and trainer back ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s awesome. It really helps in todayÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s age to get everyone on the same page.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Barlev and linebacker Jason Henderson are all-Sun Belt preseason first-team selections.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œFor the O-line, we have four of our line as returning linemen,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Barlev said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œIt helps build our line to trust each other. We played next to each other all games last year and should this year, so thatÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ll help us build.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Rahne said Old DominionÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s defense is deepest at linebacker, with Henderson leading the way.

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œWeÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™ve had to replace guys in the secondary each year,ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥� Rahne said. ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œAt linebacker, we have four guys that you can consider returning starters. I think itÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s a position we have a lot of depth at. Those guys arenÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™t successful without the defensive line. I love watching them work. They do an unbelievable job of getting prepared. I have a lot of confidence in our defensive players and coaches.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Old Dominion opens its season against Indiana on Aug. 30 at 2:30 p.m.