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Old Dominion wanted to start an FCS program with the hopes of being accepted into the FBS. It’s probable that there were more famous names than the man who was an assistant coach at Maine (FCS) when they tried to do it.
Bobby Wilder, a man born in Maine and who went on to become a quarterback and running backs coach Bobby Wilder. He then rose to the rank of assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Bobby Wilder.
Wilder was appointed ODU’s first head coach Bobby Wilder in 2007. He officially resigned today after a 1-11 season. Wilder revealed at a press conference today that he had the opportunity to lead the team that he helped create for 4,373 consecutive days.
Wilder’s farewell presser was not like any other press conference.
After it was shared on social-media, Wilder’s opening speech struck a chord with many people. His tone was humble, very thankful, and frankly quite refreshing as he recounted his tenure as ODU football’s last great era. Today, he resigned.
“It’s been almost 13 years and I still wear it like a badge. I was a complete stranger who got the chance to create the most successful college football startup program in its 150-year history.
While some coaches go home in the middle of the night, others send a simple text message to their players. Other coaches resign while players first hear about it via social media. Wilder is not like that. He said that he had committed to meeting every one of the ODU roster’s 104 players for the remainder of the week to discuss their futures and what life will be like after football.
This is something that doesn’t happen often, folks. Wilder is intimately connected to the ODU program, and each of his 77 wins (and 56 losses) are special to him.
Bobby Wilder was hired as a coach on February 13, 2007. His goal was to achieve “AIM HIGH” in all he did to bring back the Old Dominion football program from its 69-year hiatus. After three years of orchestrating all the pieces, Wilder’s vision became a reality. He has created a program that is not only the talk of Hampton Roads, but also the most successful start-up FCS program ever.
2013 was the Monarchs’ first year of transitioning to FBS and Conference USA. They played five FBS rivals, making them the first five FBS teams in school history. ODU ended the season with an 8-4 record, its first unbeaten season at home, going 6-0. Idaho was defeated 59-38, giving ODU their first victory over an FBS school. ODU’s offence scored more than 40 points per game for the second consecutive season. They averaged 42.3 points per match, which would rank seventh among FBS schools.
ODU will host their first ever Conference USA season in 2014. The Monarchs will host Eastern Michigan on September 13th, and host the first FBS home game in the school’s history.
Wilder guided the Monarchs’ school record 11-2 record in 2012 under his tutelage. Wilder was the Monarchs’ coach and they won the Colonial Athletic Association Championship, which was the last season of the FCS. ODU beat four ranked opponents in the CAA and was ranked among the top 10 all season. ODU was awarded the No. ODU was the 4th national seed in the FCS Playoffs. They advanced to the quarterfinals, and were ranked No. 6 in the final The Sports Network polls and coach Bobby Wilders polls. Old Dominion had 10 student-athletes who were on the CAA All-Conference Team, including the Offensive player of the year in quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke continued to earn honours. Heinicke earned six All-America honours and the Dudley Award, which is given to the best division I player in Virginia, as well the Walter Payton Award, for the best player in the FCS. Wilder’s players were also honoured with top honours. Wilder was named American Football Monthly Coach and CaptainU Coach respectively.
