The Monarchists

The Monarchists
  • 4.7 (37)
  • Basketball

The Monarchists, Mike and Aaron, sit down with Old Dominion University (ODU) alums, athletes and coaches (current and former) to discuss the school, their experiences and how their lives have been impacted by the school and their athletic programs.

  1. 3d ago

    ODU Football Shows Signs of Life | App State Recap + Georgia Southern Preview

    Victory Sunday finally returned to Monarch Nation. Old Dominion went into Boone, battled through miserable weather and came home with a 10-3 win over Appalachian State — ODU’s first-ever victory at App State. It wasn’t pretty. But after everything that has happened over the last several weeks, pretty wasn’t the point. The ODU defense absolutely dominated, holding App State to just 158 total yards and 2.9 yards per play. Javen Gibson tied the program record with four tackles for loss, the Monarchs generated consistent pressure, and one of the Sun Belt’s most productive passing attacks never found a rhythm. And for the first time in weeks, the ODU running game looked alive. The Monarchs rushed for 207 yards, Devin Roche delivered another huge performance, and Quinn Henicle gutted through an injury while giving the offense another dimension with his legs. So did ODU finally find its identity? Aaron, Mike and Justice break down what changed in Boone, why running outside the tackles produced significantly better results, whether the offensive line actually took a step forward and how much of Saturday’s success can carry over when the Monarchs aren’t playing in tropical-storm conditions. Then it’s a short turnaround. Georgia Southern comes to Norfolk Thursday night with one of the Sun Belt’s most dangerous passing attacks. Max Johnson has thrown for more than 1,500 yards with 11 touchdowns, and the Eagles nearly knocked off JMU. For ODU, this one feels enormous. A win would move the Monarchs to 3-4, create some real momentum and keep the path toward bowl eligibility very much alive. And it all happens on a special Thursday night as Old Dominion honors one of the greatest Monarchs ever, Taylor Heinicke, by retiring No. 14. Was Boone simply one good Saturday? Or did we just see the first signs of an ODU turnaround? Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. Georgia Southern prediction in the comments. 👑 Go Monarchs. **This episode is sponsored by Brandon Johnson State Farm.** For your insurance and financial needs, call **757-264-6267** or visit **brandonjohnsonagency.com**. #ODUFootball #OldDominion #GeorgiaSouthern #AppState #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists Chapters 00:00 Victory Sunday Returns! 01:00 Ricky Rahne Takes the Victory Slide 03:00 Javen Gibson’s Record-Setting Day 04:00 ODU Shuts Down Malachi Singleton 08:00 App State Couldn’t Convert on Third Down 12:00 ODU’s Running Game Comes Alive 14:00 Why Running Outside Worked 17:00 BJ Bedgood Shows His Speed 18:00 Quinn Henicle’s Gutsy Performance 22:00 Did ODU Need Quinn to Win? 23:00 Devin Roche Delivers Again 25:00 Did the Offensive Line Improve? 29:00 The Penalties Still Have to Stop 30:00 Did ODU Finally Find Its Identity? 34:00 A Historically Good Defensive Day 35:00 Brandon Johnson State Farm 36:00 Georgia Southern Preview 37:00 Thursday Night in Norfolk 39:00 Max Johnson Leads the Eagles 41:00 Georgia Southern Receivers to Watch 43:00 Breaking Down the Eagles Defense 47:00 ODU vs Georgia Southern Matchup 49:00 ODU Has to Pressure Max Johnson 50:00 Can ODU Win the Passing Matchup? 53:00 How Will Georgia Southern Defend ODU? 55:00 Taylor Heinicke’s No. 14 Gets Retired 58:00 Is Thursday Night a Must-Win? 59:00 Can ODU Get Back on Track? 1:02:00 A Huge Weekend for ODU Athletics 1:04:00 First-Ever Win in Boone 1:05:00 Pack the Stadium Thursday Night

  2. Oct 8

    ODU Soccer Needs a Response — West Virginia Comes to The Den | In the Lion’s Den

    Old Dominion is 8-3, but after three straight Sun Belt losses, Tennant McVea says the Monarchs need to remind themselves who they are. Aaron and Mike sit down with Tennant to break down the loss at Kentucky, why ODU has gotten away from its identity, and what has changed defensively over the past few matches. Tennant also explains why defending starts much higher up the field than most fans realize, how ODU uses GPS and analytics to evaluate defensive effort, and why simply running more doesn’t always mean a player is doing his job better. Then we turn the page to Friday night. West Virginia comes to The Den, ODU needs its first Sun Belt result, the band is coming back, and Tennant believes the crowd can help the Monarchs turn the corner. Also on the show: ● Why ODU struggled defensively at Kentucky ● The importance of momentum after scoring ● Lewis Rourke’s return and what he changes offensively ● Where defending actually starts on a soccer field ● How ODU uses GPS, Wyscout and pressing data ● Why statistics can sometimes be misleading ● What 0-3 in the Sun Belt means for the postseason race ● How West Virginia creates overloads and attacks space ● Tennant McVea’s Phrase of the Day: “Catch yourself on” ● Why Friday night’s atmosphere could matter ● The return of the ODU band ● ODU Soccer gear and the spring golf tournament The Monarchs have already shown what they’re capable of. Now they have to find it again. 👑 In the Lion’s Den with Tennant McVea 🌐 odumonarchists.com ⚽ Get your ODU Soccer gear at https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SoccerODU1 Subscribe to The Monarchists for more Old Dominion athletics coverage, interviews and podcasts. #ODUSoccer #ODU #MonarchNation #CollegeSoccer #SunBelt Chapters 0:00 In the Lion’s Den 0:40 Breaking Down the Kentucky Loss 2:20 “You Can’t Score Two and Get Nothing” 3:20 What Went Wrong Defensively? 4:40 Momentum After ODU’s Equalizer 6:30 27 Goals Early — What Changed? 7:30 ODU’s Crisis of Confidence 8:40 Lewis Rourke Is Back 9:40 Where Does Defending Actually Start? 12:00 How ODU Tracks Defensive Performance 14:20 When Soccer Analytics Become Misleading 16:20 Measuring ODU’s Press 17:10 8-3 Overall, 0-3 in the Sun Belt 18:30 Scouting West Virginia 20:10 Can ODU Make West Virginia Uncomfortable? 21:10 Phrase of the Day: “Catch Yourself On” 23:10 The ODU Band Is Coming Back 24:15 Why The Den Matters Friday 25:30 Club Soccer Night & Monarchs Give Back 27:00 ODU Soccer Gear 28:30 The ODU Soccer Golf Tournament 30:10 Tennant’s Message to Monarch Nation

  3. Oct 6

    ODU Football: Is the Season Off the Rails? | Georgia State Recap + App State Preview

    Old Dominion is 1-4. And after a 42-10 loss at Georgia State, there’s no sugarcoating where this season currently stands. The Monarchs were overwhelmed offensively, repeatedly beaten over the top defensively and never seriously threatened a Georgia State team that controlled the game from start to finish. So where does ODU go from here? Aaron, Mike and Justice dig into a team that seems to have lost both its offensive identity and the confidence it showed earlier in the season. The running game that once defined Old Dominion football has disappeared. The offensive line continues to struggle creating running lanes and protecting the quarterback. Defensively, players appear to be pressing and trying to make game-changing plays instead of simply executing their assignments. And the losses are beginning to snowball. We talk about whether this team is actually getting worse, the growing frustration around the offensive line, the leadership challenge inside the locker room and the increasingly uncomfortable comparisons some fans are making to 2019. There are still players giving Monarch Nation plenty to appreciate. Devin Roche continues to compete on every snap, Mario Thompson is putting together an outstanding season, and there are veteran Monarchs who have invested years into this program and deserve the fan base’s support. But something has to change. Now ODU heads to Boone to face App State. The Mountaineers have one of the Sun Belt’s most productive passing attacks, Malachi Singleton is completing more than 70% of his passes, and App State has weapons capable of attacking the exact areas where ODU has struggled. The question is simple: **Has this season gone off the rails — or can Old Dominion finally find something positive to build on?** We’ll be watching together Saturday at Afterglow Brewing. Come hang out with The Monarchists and other ODU fans for the game. Drop your thoughts below. What needs to change first for Old Dominion to turn this season around? 👑 Go Monarchs. **This episode is sponsored by Brandon Johnson State Farm.** For your insurance and financial needs, call **757-264-6267** or visit **brandonjohnsonagency.com**. #ODUFootball #OldDominion #AppState #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists Chapters 00:00 A Tough Monday for Monarch Nation 01:00 Georgia State Dominates ODU 02:00 Devin Roche Provides the Lone Spark 04:00 Has Everything Snowballed Since ECU? 06:00 Credit to Georgia State 08:00 Fan Question: Why Is ODU Getting Worse? 10:00 The Offense Is Affecting the Defense 13:00 ODU Has Lost Its Running Identity 14:00 What Happened to the Wide Splits? 16:00 Monarch Nation Is Frustrated 18:00 Can the Offense Even Be Fixed? 20:00 Are We Getting 2019 Vibes? 22:00 Leadership Becomes Critical 24:00 How Much Harder Is the Climb Now? 26:00 Breaking Down the Offensive Line 31:00 When Do You Change the Starting Five? 33:00 The Quarterback Conundrum 35:00 Brandon Johnson State Farm 36:00 App State Preview 38:00 App State’s Passing Attack 40:00 Malachi Singleton Is Dangerous 41:00 App State Players to Watch 43:00 Is This Season Off the Rails? 46:00 How Does ODU Beat the Pressure? 48:00 ODU Needs Explosive Plays 50:00 Why Fans Should Stay Engaged 53:00 Is There Still a Path Back? 55:00 Appreciating the Veteran Monarchs 57:00 Basketball & Soccer Updates 1:01:00 Final Thoughts

  4. Oct 1

    #23 ODU Soccer Has a Target on Its Back | In the Lion’s Den

    Old Dominion is 8-2, but after a difficult night at Georgia Southern, Tennant McVea says this group has reached an important point in the season. The target is on their back. Aaron sits down one-on-one with Tennant to break down what went wrong in Statesboro, why ODU didn't look like itself, and how the Monarchs avoid letting two conference losses erase everything they built through the first 10 matches. The conversation goes beyond one result. Tennant explains why success can create entitlement, how discipline away from the field eventually shows up on it, and why character becomes even more important when things stop going your way. Also on the show: ● Why Georgia Southern was able to disrupt ODU ● Handling momentum swings, VAR and adversity ● Why performance still matters more than chasing points ● The growing connection between ODU Soccer and its alumni ● Tennant McVea's Word of the Day: “Scundered” ● Why Kentucky's record is extremely misleading ● How grass, turf and even pitch dimensions change a match ● An early look at West Virginia's return to Norfolk ODU has already shown what it can do when everything is rolling. Now we find out how it responds. 👑 In the Lion's Den with Tennant McVea 🌐 odumonarchists.com Buy your ODU Soccer gear at: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SoccerODU1 Subscribe to The Monarchists for more Old Dominion athletics coverage, interviews and podcasts. #ODUSoccer #ODU #MonarchNation #CollegeSoccer #SunBelt Chapters 0:00 In the Lion's Den 0:06 "We Were Second to Everything" 1:30 What Georgia Southern Did to ODU 2:45 ODU Didn't Look Like Itself 3:45 What Changed in the Second Half? 5:00 VAR, Momentum & Emotional Swings 7:30 Sometimes It's Just Not Your Night 8:10 8-2 Overall, 0-2 in the Sun Belt 9:30 The Target Is Now on ODU's Back 10:20 Performance Over Points 11:20 Avoiding Recency Bias 12:15 The Little Details Matter 14:00 ODU Soccer's Alumni Connection 18:00 Tim Hopkinson & the ODU Legacy 19:45 ODU Soccer Gear 20:30 Word of the Day: "Scundered" 22:20 Kentucky Is Better Than Its Record 24:10 What Kentucky Showed Against UCF 25:45 How Different Playing Surfaces Matter 27:20 Soccer Fields Aren't All the Same Size?! 29:20 ODU Is 8-2 — Keep Perspective 30:45 Finally Getting a Full Training Week 32:20 Early Look at West Virginia 34:00 Why West Virginia at ODU Will Be Special 35:00 Can We Get the Band Back? 35:25 Tennant's Message to Monarch Nation

  5. Sep 28

    ODU Football: Now What? | JMU Recap + Georgia State Preview

    Old Dominion is 1-3. After a 46-20 loss to JMU — the Monarchs’ fifth straight loss to the Dukes — the question isn’t about preseason expectations anymore. It’s simple: **Now what?** Jonathan Plisco and Jarod Brown join Aaron and Mike to break down a frustrating night against JMU and, more importantly, where ODU goes from here. There was at least one major reason for optimism. Freshman quarterback Ryan Huff threw for 261 yards in his first career start and looked extremely comfortable when given a clean pocket. TJ Johnson topped 100 receiving yards, Leon Haughton made another big play in the passing game, and Nathaniel Eichner continues to look like a serious weapon. But the problems are getting harder to ignore. Nine sacks. Thirteen penalties. Continued struggles running the football. Missed assignments. Turnovers. And another game where self-inflicted mistakes made an already difficult matchup even harder. We get into: • What Ryan Huff showed in his first start • Whether ODU needs to lean much harder into the passing game • How the Monarchs clean up the penalties, protection issues and execution problems • Why leadership inside the locker room becomes critical at 1-3 Then we turn the page to Georgia State. The Panthers are 3-1 and playing with confidence, but ODU has won six of seven in the series and three straight. For the Monarchs, the difference between leaving Atlanta 2-3 and falling to 1-4 feels enormous. This may be the biggest game of the season simply because ODU badly needs something positive to build on. Can the Monarchs get right in Atlanta? Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. Georgia State score prediction below. 👑 Go Monarchs. This episode is sponsored by Brandon Johnson State Farm. For your insurance and financial needs, call 757-264-6267 or visit brandonjohnsonagency.com. #ODUFootball #OldDominion #GeorgiaState #SunBeltFootball #CollegeFootball #TheMonarchists Chapters 00:00 Jonathan Plisco & Jarod Brown Join the Show 01:00 Five Straight Losses to JMU 02:00 What Went Wrong? 03:00 Ryan Huff’s Impressive First Start 05:00 Nine Sacks & ODU’s Protection Problems 06:00 Nathaniel Eichner Continues to Deliver 09:00 TJ Johnson, Leon Haughton & Passing Game Positives 10:00 Is the Play Calling Evolving? 11:00 Why Can’t ODU Run the Football? 13:00 18 Sacks Through Four Games 16:00 ODU Starts Fighting Back 17:00 The Illegal Substitution Backbreaker 22:00 What Happened to the Defense? 25:00 How Does ODU Fix the Penalties? 29:00 Shaq Leaks Steps Up 31:00 Can ODU Become a Good Football Team? 34:00 Fixing the Little Things 37:00 Is 1-3 Really a Surprise? 38:00 It’s HOW ODU Got to 1-3 39:00 Should ODU Just Air It Out? 40:00 Leadership Has to Take Over 48:00 ODU’s Fumbling Problem 50:00 Georgia State Preview Begins 51:00 The Difference Between 2-3 and 1-4 53:00 Is Georgia State a Must-Win? 55:00 Breaking Down the Panthers 59:00 Georgia State Players to Watch 1:01:00 Confidence vs. Confidence 1:03:00 Is Georgia State the Get-Right Game? 1:05:00 Justice Checks In 1:07:00 ODU vs Georgia State Predictions 1:11:00 More Nathaniel Eichner Love 1:16:00 ODU Hall of Fame Weekend 1:18:00 Final Thoughts

  6. Sep 25

    #15 ODU Soccer Got Punched. Then It Responded. | In the Lion’s Den

    The undefeated streak is over. What happened next may tell us even more about this ODU team. George Maire and David “Chapo” Chapman join Aaron and Mike to talk about the battle with now-#1 South Carolina, bouncing back after falling behind William & Mary, and why this group believes it has the mentality to handle adversity. We also get to know George and Chapo away from the pitch — from Liverpool and Nottingham to British food, Scouse accents, locker-room personalities and another round of rapid-fire questions. Then Tennant McVea joins the show to break down what ODU learned from its first loss, the incredible atmosphere against South Carolina, the gritty comeback over William & Mary and how player ownership has helped change the culture inside the program. Plus, we preview Sunday’s Sun Belt road test at Georgia Southern and learn another Tennant McVea Phrase of the Day: “On a sixpence.” The Monarchs are 8-1. Now it’s time to take that mentality on the road. 👑 In the Lion’s Den with Tennant McVea 🌐 odumonarchists.com Get all of your Old Dominion Soccer Team Apparel at: https://bsnteamsports.com/shop/SoccerODU1 Subscribe to The Monarchists for more Old Dominion athletics coverage, interviews and podcasts. #ODUSoccer #ODU #MonarchNation #CollegeSoccer #SunBelt Chapters 0:00 In the Lion's Den 0:20 George Maire & David Chapman Join Us 1:00 Liverpool, Nottingham & the Scouse Accent 2:40 What ODU Learned From Its First Loss 4:00 Chapo's Journey to College Soccer 5:00 A 6'4" Center Back Who Scores Goals 6:00 George Maire's Role in the Midfield 6:45 Why Arriving in the Spring Mattered 7:15 Building an International Locker Room 8:15 Responding After Falling Behind William & Mary 9:30 The Growing ODU Soccer Crowd 11:00 Who Has the Strongest Accent? 12:30 Why George & Chapo Chose ODU 14:00 Adjusting to Life in America 15:00 British Food We Need to Try 17:00 British Phrases Americans Don't Understand 18:20 The Story Behind "Chapo" 19:00 Locker Room Rapid Fire 22:00 Best Finisher on the Team 23:15 Who DON'T You Want Beside You on the Bus? 24:30 Georgia Southern Preview 25:30 What They Love About America 29:00 Tennant McVea Joins the Show 29:20 Lessons From #1 South Carolina 31:15 The Disallowed Goal & VAR 33:30 An Incredible Night at The Den 38:45 Bouncing Back Against William & Mary 41:15 ODU Has More Backbone 42:45 How the Culture Changed 45:45 Staying in the National Rankings 48:20 Reconnecting ODU Soccer's Legacy 52:20 Scouting Georgia Southern 54:00 Phrase of the Day: "On a Sixpence" 55:30 Life on the Road in the Sun Belt 58:30 Tennant's 20th Win 1:01:00 Perfect Football Weather 1:03:00 How a Wet Pitch Changes the Game 1:05:00 Hard Ground vs. Soft Ground Boots 1:07:00 Nike, Adidas & British Pronunciation 1:08:40 Tennant's Message to Monarch Nation 1:10:00 Supporting ODU Soccer

  7. Sep 22 ·  Bonus

    S3E22 - September Updates with Macaddin Dye - Hudson Homers

    CB, Gary and Coach Finny talk about new ODU AD Tim House, stadium construction updates and new uniform combos. Catcher Macaddin Dye joins to give us the inside scoop on how the Monarchs' pitching staff is looking so far and his experience playing for the Pilots this summer.

    S3E22 - September Updates with Macaddin Dye - Hudson Homers

  8. Sep 21

    ODU vs JMU: How Do the Monarchs Respond? | ECU Recap + JMU Preview

    Old Dominion had every opportunity to beat East Carolina. Instead, the Monarchs let one get away. ODU fell 20-17 to ECU, dropping to 1-2 after a frustrating second half filled with turnovers, penalties, missed opportunities and an offense still searching for consistency. Now comes JMU. The Dukes arrive in Norfolk at 3-0, winners of four straight against Old Dominion, and suddenly Saturday feels much bigger than just another game on the schedule. Aaron, Mike and Justice break down what went wrong against ECU, why the offense continues to struggle finding an identity and whether the offensive line can finally put together four consistent quarters. We also dig into Ricky Rahne’s revealing postgame comments about leadership, accountability and making sure everyone is pulling in the same direction. After back-to-back losses, how this locker room responds to adversity may become one of the defining stories of the season. There were positives, too. ODU’s defense once again played well enough to win. Mario Thompson, Jackson Forrest, Daevon Iles and the rest of the unit kept the Monarchs in the game while the offense struggled to capitalize. But JMU presents an entirely different challenge. The Dukes aren’t necessarily overwhelming opponents with star power — they’re 3-0 because they’re playing sound football, limiting mistakes and winning in the margins. That’s exactly where Old Dominion has struggled. So what has to change Saturday? • Protect the football • Find some rhythm offensively • Get more consistent play up front • Win on third down • Stop beating themselves Conference play starts now. ODU has lost four straight to JMU. The Monarchs are coming off back-to-back losses. And falling to 1-3 is a place nobody in Monarch Nation wants to contemplate. The talent is there. The defense is playing winning football. The offense has shown flashes. But flashes aren’t enough anymore. **How does Old Dominion respond?** Drop your thoughts and your ODU vs. JMU prediction in the comments. 👑 Go Monarchs. #ODUFootball #JMUFootball #OldDominion #JamesMadison #CollegeFootball #SunBeltFootball #TheMonarchists Chapters 00:00 Tim House Makes His ODU Debut 02:45 ODU Soccer Deserves Its Flowers 06:00 The ECU Loss: Where Do We Start? 07:30 ODU’s Offense Owns This One 09:00 Offensive Line & Special Teams Problems 12:00 Devin Roche Provides a Spark 13:00 Is This Offense Still Searching for Its Identity? 16:00 Communication, Execution & Bad Decisions 20:00 Ricky Rahne’s Leadership Comments 23:00 How Serious Is the Buy-In Question? 25:00 ODU’s Defense Deserved Better 27:00 Did ODU Abandon the Pass? 28:00 ODU Gave This Game Away 30:00 Another Strong Defensive Performance 35:00 Nine Fumbles in Three Games 36:00 Why Does Quinn Keep Moving Left? 40:00 Fan Reaction: The Duke of Discipline 42:00 ODU Defenders Who Balled Out 46:00 Flush ECU — It’s JMU Week 47:00 Where JMU Can Be Beaten 49:00 What Makes JMU 3-0? 51:00 JMU Players to Watch 52:00 How Important Is This Game? 55:00 ODU Cannot Afford to Fall to 1-3 56:00 How Do the Monarchs Respond? 59:00 JMU’s Defensive Front 1:00:00 JMU’s Skill Players & Tight End Threat 1:02:00 Can ODU Establish the Run? 1:04:00 ODU Needs Balance 1:05:00 How Many Turnovers Can ODU Survive? 1:07:00 Win in the Margins 1:08:00 No Predictions — Just Play Better 1:10:00 What Happens If ODU Doesn’t Fix It? 1:12:00 Just Win the Damn Game

See All (281)

4.7
out of 5
37 Ratings

About

The Monarchists, Mike and Aaron, sit down with Old Dominion University (ODU) alums, athletes and coaches (current and former) to discuss the school, their experiences and how their lives have been impacted by the school and their athletic programs.

Information

  • Creator
    The Monarchists
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    281
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Monarchists
  • Show Website
    The Monarchists

You Might Also Like