The Monarchists Podcast

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 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

Most fans watch the ball. Coaches watch length. In this clip, Coach Mike Jones explains why wingspan creates positional advantages on defense and uses Kylan Howze as the perfect example of how length impacts winning basketball. If you’ve ever wondered why certain players seem to disrupt everything without scoring 20 points, this explains it. 🏀 Watch the FULL Monarchists Basketball Show for even more insight into ODU Basketball and Coach Jones’ philosophy. 👍 Subscribe for more exclusive ODU Basketball content every week. #ODUBasketball #GoMonarchs #CollegeBasketball #MikeJones #KylanHowze #BasketballIQ #Defense #BasketballShorts

Old Dominion Basketball is back. Head Coach Mike Jones joins The Monarchists Basketball Show for the first offseason episode to break down everything Monarch fans need to know before the 2026-27 season. Coach Jones goes player-by-player through the entire transfer portal class, discusses every freshman, explains why Old Dominion intentionally built a longer, more athletic roster, and details how the coaching staff attacked the team’s biggest weakness from last season. We also discuss: 🏀 Every transfer addition and how each fits the roster 🏀 Freshman recruiting class 🏀 Defensive philosophy changes 🏀 Why wingspan matters as much as height 🏀 New assistant coaches Orlando Vandross and Jim Molinari 🏀 Professional basketball opportunities for Jordan Battle, KC Shaw, Cal and others 🏀 LJ Thomas’ impressive business success after ODU 🏀 NCAA rule changes 🏀 Five-in-Five eligibility rule 🏀 2026-27 schedule news 🏀 Western Michigan season opener 🏀 Richmond exhibition update 🏀 Norfolk State rivalry 🏀 Golf tournament details 🏀 NBA offseason discussion If you’re an Old Dominion Basketball fan, this is one episode you don’t want to miss. Subscribe for exclusive ODU Basketball coverage all season long. 👍 Like the video 💬 Tell us which newcomer you’re most excited to watch. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss another Monarchs Basketball Show. #ODU #ODUBasketball #Monarchs #SunBelt #CollegeBasketball #TransferPortal Chapters 00:00 Intro 1:05 NBA Finals thoughts 4:00 ODU seniors turning pro 7:20 LJ Thomas’ incredible business success 10:00 Breaking down every transfer addition 10:25 Bubu Benjamin 11:45 Jotham Nweke 12:55 Adante’ Holiman 14:20 Khoi Thurman 15:35 Kylan Howze 16:55 Lucio Martini 18:10 Zamoku Weluche-Ume 19:45 Why wingspan matters more than height 22:15 New assistant coaches 24:45 Building a better defense 26:00 Freshman class 26:20 Theo Gerges 27:10 CJ Lyons 28:15 CJ Harper 29:45 Ahmad Caver’s endorsement 31:15 NCAA rule changes 37:20 Should college basketball switch to quarters? 39:55 Five-in-Five eligibility explained 44:55 Western Michigan season opener announced 45:50 ODU Basketball Golf Tournament 51:00 NBA offseason moves (Jalen Brown, Paul George, and more) 57:20 Richmond exhibition teaser 59:10 2026-27 schedule overview 1:01:00 Final thoughts

“Oh, ho, men.” 😂 Robbie Duncan breaks out his Coach Bobby Wilder and Bro Scott impressions, and honestly… they’re spot on. Full episode of The Monarchists Podcast coming soon 🎙️ #ODUFootball #Shorts #Monarchs #BobbyWilder #757Football #CAAFootball