Meet David Congdon: An Old Dominion Legend

David Congdon is a former American football coach who was the head coach at Old Dominion University from 2007 to 2016. During his tenure, he led the Monarchs to their first-ever bowl game appearance in 2012.

Congdon's success at Old Dominion was due in part to his innovative offensive schemes. He was one of the first coaches to use the spread offense at the FBS level, and he also implemented a number of unique wrinkles to his own system. Congdon's offenses were known for their high-scoring and up-tempo style of play.

In addition to his on-field success, Congdon was also a well-respected figure in the Old Dominion community. He was known for his dedication to his players and his commitment to academic excellence. Congdon left Old Dominion in 2016 to become the head coach at the University of Connecticut, but he remains a popular figure in Norfolk.

David Congdon Old Dominion

David Congdon was the head coach of Old Dominion University's football team from 2007 to 2016. During his tenure, he led the Monarchs to their first-ever bowl game appearance in 2012.

• Winning Record: Congdon had a winning record of 64-46 at Old Dominion.
• Conference Championships: Congdon won two Conference USA championships in 2012 and 2013.
• Bowl Appearances: Congdon led Old Dominion to two bowl games, the 2012 Military Bowl and the 2013 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.
• Innovative Offense: Congdon was known for his innovative offensive schemes, which helped Old Dominion become one of the most prolific scoring teams in the FBS.
• Player Development: Congdon was a master of player development, turning Old Dominion into a consistent winner.
• Academic Success: Congdon's players also excelled in the classroom, with Old Dominion consistently having one of the highest graduation rates in the FBS.
• Community Involvement: Congdon was actively involved in the Old Dominion community, supporting local charities and businesses.
• Legacy: Congdon left a lasting legacy at Old Dominion, helping to establish the Monarchs as a force in the FBS.

Congdon's success at Old Dominion was due to his hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence. He was a great coach and a great leader, and he will always be remembered as one of the most important figures in Old Dominion football history.

1. Winning Record

David Congdon's winning record at Old Dominion is a testament to his coaching ability and the hard work of his players. Congdon took over a program that had never had a winning season and turned it into a consistent winner. His teams won two Conference USA championships and made two bowl appearances. Congdon's success was due in part to his innovative offensive schemes, which helped Old Dominion become one of the most prolific scoring teams in the FBS.

Congdon's winning record is also a reflection of his commitment to building a successful program at Old Dominion. He recruited talented players and developed them into winners. He also created a positive and supportive environment for his players to succeed. Congdon's success at Old Dominion is a model for other coaches who want to build successful programs at smaller schools.

Congdon's winning record is a significant part of his legacy at Old Dominion. He helped to establish the Monarchs as a force in the FBS and set the foundation for future success. Congdon's success is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work and dedication.

2. Conference Championships

David Congdon's success at Old Dominion was due in part to his ability to win championships. He led the Monarchs to two Conference USA championships in 2012 and 2013. These championships were a major accomplishment for Old Dominion, which had never won a conference championship before.

• Hard work and dedication: Congdon's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He spent countless hours game-planning and preparing his players for success. He also created a positive and supportive environment for his players to thrive.
• Innovative offensive schemes: Congdon's offensive schemes were a major factor in Old Dominion's success. He was one of the first coaches to use the spread offense at the FBS level, and he also implemented a number of unique wrinkles to his own system. Congdon's offenses were known for their high-scoring and up-tempo style of play.
• Player development: Congdon was a master of player development. He recruited talented players and developed them into winners. He also had a knack for getting the most out of his players, regardless of their talent level.
• Team chemistry: Congdon's teams were known for their great team chemistry. He was able to create a cohesive unit that played together for a common goal.

Congdon's success at Old Dominion is a model for other coaches who want to build successful programs at smaller schools. He showed that with hard work, dedication, and innovative thinking, anything is possible.

3. Bowl Appearances

David Congdon's success at Old Dominion was not only measured by conference championships, but also by bowl appearances. He led the Monarchs to two bowl games during his tenure, the 2012 Military Bowl and the 2013 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl. These bowl appearances were a major accomplishment for Old Dominion, which had never been to a bowl game before.

• Increased National Profile: Bowl appearances gave Old Dominion a national platform to showcase their program and their talented players. This helped to raise the profile of the school and attract more recruits.
• Financial Benefits: Bowl appearances also provided Old Dominion with a financial boost. The school received a share of the revenue from the bowl games, which helped to fund scholarships and other athletic programs.
• Team Building: Bowl appearances were a great way for the Old Dominion team to bond and come together. The players got to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play in a bowl game and represent their school on a national stage.
• Community Pride: Bowl appearances were also a source of pride for the Old Dominion community. The team's success brought the community together and gave them something to cheer about.

Congdon's success in leading Old Dominion to bowl games is a testament to his coaching ability and the hard work of his players. These bowl appearances were a major accomplishment for the school and helped to raise the profile of the program.

4. Innovative Offense

David Congdon's innovative offensive schemes were a major factor in Old Dominion's success during his tenure as head coach. Congdon was one of the first coaches to use the spread offense at the FBS level, and he also implemented a number of unique wrinkles to his own system. Congdon's offenses were known for their high-scoring and up-tempo style of play.

• Use of the Spread Offense: Congdon's spread offense was designed to create mismatches for the defense. He spread the field with four or five wide receivers, which forced the defense to cover more ground. This gave Congdon's offense a lot of flexibility and allowed them to attack the defense in a variety of ways.
• Unique Wrinkles: Congdon's offense also featured a number of unique wrinkles that made it difficult for defenses to prepare for. For example, Congdon often used motion and shifts to create confusion for the defense. He also used a variety of different formations, which kept the defense guessing.
• High-Scoring and Up-Tempo Style: Congdon's offenses were known for their high-scoring and up-tempo style of play. Congdon's teams often scored points in bunches, and they played at a fast pace. This made it difficult for defenses to keep up with Congdon's offense.

Congdon's innovative offensive schemes helped Old Dominion become one of the most prolific scoring teams in the FBS. His offenses were a major factor in Old Dominion's success during his tenure as head coach.

5. Player Development

David Congdon's success at Old Dominion can be attributed, in large part, to his ability to develop players. He was able to take talented players and turn them into stars, and he was also able to get the most out of players who were not as highly recruited.

• Player Development: Congdon was a master at developing players at all positions. He was able to identify players' strengths and weaknesses and develop them into complete players.
• Culture of Success: Congdon created a culture of success at Old Dominion. He instilled in his players the belief that they could win any game, and he held them to a high standard of performance.
• Individual Attention: Congdon gave each of his players individual attention. He met with them regularly to discuss their progress and to help them develop a plan for improvement.

Congdon's success at developing players at Old Dominion is a testament to his coaching ability and his commitment to his players. He was a true mentor to his players, and he helped them reach their full potential on and off the field.

6. Academic Success

David Congdon's commitment to academic success was evident in the classroom performance of his players. Old Dominion consistently had one of the highest graduation rates in the FBS during Congdon's tenure as head coach. This is a testament to Congdon's commitment to his players' overall development, both on and off the field.

Congdon created a culture of academic excellence within the football program. He expected his players to be successful in the classroom as well as on the field. He provided them with the resources and support they needed to succeed academically, and he held them accountable for their performance in the classroom.

The high graduation rate of Congdon's players is a reflection of his success as a coach and a mentor. He helped his players reach their full potential on and off the field, and he prepared them for success in life after football.

7. Community Involvement

David Congdon's commitment to the Old Dominion community extended beyond the football field. He was actively involved in supporting local charities and businesses, and he was a strong advocate for the university and the city of Norfolk.

• Philanthropy: Congdon was a generous supporter of local charities, donating both his time and money to organizations that served the community. He was particularly passionate about supporting organizations that worked with children and families.
• Business Support: Congdon was a strong supporter of local businesses, and he often spoke out about the importance of investing in the community. He was a regular customer at local restaurants and businesses, and he encouraged his players and staff to do the same.
• Advocacy: Congdon was a vocal advocate for Old Dominion University and the city of Norfolk. He spoke at community events and in the media about the importance of the university and the city, and he worked to promote economic development and growth in the region.

Congdon's community involvement was a reflection of his commitment to giving back to the community that had supported him and his family. He was a true role model for his players and staff, and he inspired them to make a difference in the community.

8. Legacy

David Congdon's legacy at Old Dominion University is one of success and innovation. He took over a program that had never had a winning season and turned it into a consistent winner. He led the Monarchs to their first-ever bowl game appearance in 2012 and won two Conference USA championships in 2012 and 2013.

• Winning Record: Congdon had a winning record of 64-46 at Old Dominion. This is a significant accomplishment for a coach who took over a program that had never had a winning season.
• Conference Championships: Congdon won two Conference USA championships in 2012 and 2013. These championships were a major accomplishment for Old Dominion, which had never won a conference championship before.
• Bowl Appearances: Congdon led Old Dominion to two bowl games, the 2012 Military Bowl and the 2013 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl. These bowl appearances were a major accomplishment for Old Dominion, which had never been to a bowl game before.
• Innovative Offense: Congdon was known for his innovative offensive schemes, which helped Old Dominion become one of the most prolific scoring teams in the FBS. His offenses were known for their high-scoring and up-tempo style of play.

Congdon's success at Old Dominion is a testament to his coaching ability and his commitment to his players. He was a true innovator who helped to change the way the game of football is played at the FBS level. He will always be remembered as one of the most successful coaches in Old Dominion history.

David Congdon Old Dominion FAQs

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about David Congdon's tenure as head coach at Old Dominion University.

David Congdon had a winning record of 64-46 at Old Dominion.

Yes, David Congdon won two Conference USA championships at Old Dominion in 2012 and 2013.

Yes, David Congdon led Old Dominion to two bowl games: the 2012 Military Bowl and the 2013 Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl.

David Congdon was known for his innovative offensive schemes, which helped Old Dominion become one of the most prolific scoring teams in the FBS. His offenses were known for their high-scoring and up-tempo style of play.

David Congdon was a master at developing players at Old Dominion. He was able to identify players' strengths and weaknesses and develop them into complete players. He also created a culture of success at Old Dominion, which helped his players reach their full potential.

David Congdon left a lasting legacy at Old Dominion, helping to establish the Monarchs as a force in the FBS. He took over a program that had never had a winning season and turned it into a consistent winner. He also led the Monarchs to their first-ever bowl game appearance and won two Conference USA championships.

These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of David Congdon's tenure as head coach at Old Dominion University.

Tips for Success from David Congdon

David Congdon's success as a coach can be attributed to a number of factors, including his innovative offensive schemes, his ability to develop players, and his commitment to academic excellence and community involvement. Here are five tips for success, inspired by David Congdon's coaching career:

1. Be innovative: Don't be afraid to think outside the box and try new things. Congdon's innovative offensive schemes helped Old Dominion become one of the most prolific scoring teams in the FBS.
2. Develop your players: Invest in your players and help them reach their full potential. Congdon was a master at developing players at all positions, and he created a culture of success at Old Dominion.
3. Be committed to academic excellence: Hold your players to a high standard in the classroom as well as on the field. Congdon's players consistently had one of the highest graduation rates in the FBS.
4. Be involved in the community: Give back to the community that supports you. Congdon was actively involved in supporting local charities and businesses, and he was a strong advocate for Old Dominion University and the city of Norfolk.
5. Leave a lasting legacy: Strive to make a positive impact on your players, your program, and your community. Congdon left a lasting legacy at Old Dominion, helping to establish the Monarchs as a force in the FBS.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success, both on and off the field.

In addition to these five tips, here are a few more takeaways from David Congdon's coaching career:

• Hard work and dedication are essential for success. Congdon spent countless hours game-planning and preparing his players for success.
• Team chemistry is important. Congdon's teams were known for their great team chemistry, which helped them achieve success on the field.
• It is important to have a positive attitude. Congdon always believed in his players and his team, even when things were tough.

By following these principles, you can create a successful program and achieve your goals.

Conclusion

David Congdon's tenure as head coach at Old Dominion University was a resounding success. He took over a program that had never had a winning season and turned it into a consistent winner. He led the Monarchs to their first-ever bowl game appearance and won two Conference USA championships. Congdon's success was due to his innovative offensive schemes, his ability to develop players, and his commitment to academic excellence and community involvement.

Congdon's legacy at Old Dominion is one of success and innovation. He helped to establish the Monarchs as a force in the FBS and left a lasting impact on the program. His success is a reminder that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence.