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I appreciate what he did at the FCS level only. He FAILED to do his job the last 4/5 years. I caught hell for calling him out regarding recruiting time and time again. We are here today because of that.

No joy in my heart today. Sad but necessary. BW was the founding father of the program and should always hold a special place in the history of the program. Wish him nothing but the best.

BW did some really good things at ODU. I was so excited to have ODU football and sad to see BW go out like this. But he failed spectularly at FBS .... over his head and made some poor decisions. However, nothing lasts forever and time to move on, for both the ODU program and BW. I wish him well and thank him for some great memories of ODU football in the early years. I'm sure that he will land on his feet and $600K will help with his transition.

I'm excited about the future for ODU football and look forward to supporting the program. Great things ahead for ODU Football. Thanks BW and good luck.

LOL, people that want to criticize still feel the need to do so in a Bobby Appreciation Thread instead of keeping it in the other 10 bash Bobby threads.

I'm disappointed with how things ended here for Bobby Wilder the coach, but I will always admire and respect Bobby Wilder the man. A tip of the hat and a firm handshake for him indeed.

Is there anyway a moderator can move Mr.BigBlues's post to another thread. Bobby Wilder has represented ODU from first day until his last press conference with nothing but class and dignity. Let's show the same.

while I know some fans will always define a coach by his wins and losses and say they failed I will remember them for the whole of their work. BW gave young men to opportunity to grow and become men while playing a game that they loved. He was their when they loss parents and siblings he was their when when they had setbacks in school and life, while I think it was best for ODU and BW to move on to a fresh start there is no failed in BW career at ODU

(12-03-2019 11:27 AM)Coltluv Wrote:  while I know some fans will always define a coach by his wins and losses and say they failed I will remember them for the whole of their work. BW gave young men to opportunity to grow and become men while playing a game that they loved. He was their when they loss parents and siblings he was their when when they had setbacks in school and life, while I think it was best for ODU and BW to move on to a fresh start there is no failed in BW career at ODU

Amen

Bobby Wilder will always be appreciated for his part in building ODU football. Nobody can debate he was the right guy for the job and he did it masterfully. I also know it was time for the university to move on, and I think deep-down, Bobby knows it too. I wish him nothing but the best and thank him for his contributions. I hope that time will heal his wounds and that he will be able to look back at what he accomplished with great pride and affection.

I think his next step will say a lot about how he's doing. If he retires and just watches from the sidelines, it might be saying he's not doing so great. But if he gets back on the horse as a FCS Head or FBS Coordinator, he'll move along nicely--particularly if he's successful in his next seat.

Which brings forward a fleck of irony. I really hope ODU never has to face him as an opponent. Not sure I'd feel too good watching it.

(12-03-2019 02:00 PM)FearTheLion Wrote:  I think his next step will say a lot about how he's doing. If he retires and just watches from the sidelines, it might be saying he's not doing so great. But if he gets back on the horse as a FCS Head or FBS Coordinator, he'll move along nicely--particularly if he's successful in his next seat.

Which brings forward a fleck of irony. I really hope ODU never has to face him as an opponent. Not sure I'd feel too good watching it.

He's already met with his agent to discuss openings. He ain't retiring.

Yea I didn't think so. At 55, with his resume, I think he'll be in high demand at the right level--probably won't take long at all.

Bobby will have a job soon. It's tough on him because he wants to be there for the kids that are here now but the more time he spends doing that, the less time he spends making himself available for the next job.

I think the new coach is going to be announced very quickly and Bobby will be on his way.

I've said this before and will again because I'm forgetful, but BW's best fit would be a new program or one that's moving up a classification. Like if CNU decided to run through the opening that the NCAA might be providing St. Thomas (Minn.) to skip D2 and move up to D1 directly, or if Regent added football. He's a good salesman and those kind of jobs would be the ones best suited to leverage his skill set.

yea I really didn't like when he said he was getting 2 hrs sleep a night.. I don't think next year would have been any easier on him (outside noise would've been unbearable) Just want him to get fresh start and enjoy his job again.

Would not be surprised if BW has an offer before ODU announces the new coach.

(12-03-2019 02:17 PM)Cyniclone Wrote:  I've said this before and will again because I'm forgetful, but BW's best fit would be a new program or one that's moving up a classification. Like if CNU decided to run through the opening that the NCAA might be providing St. Thomas (Minn.) to skip D2 and move up to D1 directly, or if Regent added football. He's a good salesman and those kind of jobs would be the ones best suited to leverage his skill set.

Didnt know the NCAA was allowing that. Seems like a bad move to me. There are already too many D1 teams. Thats why things like "P5" are happening. Regent will never add football, at least at a scholarship level. They have their own money problems. I doubt CNU would be able to raise the money to support D1, nor would they want to expand their enrollment to the level needed to support that move. They've been able to do amazing things with their academic rep by staying small and being a little more picky than they used to be. I wouldnt mind seeing ODU cap enrollment or even shrink (especially commuters) enrollment for the same reason.

But yes, a situation like that would be good for BW. He could thrive at a place like Campbell that just moved up to scholarship level FCS for example.

I don't necessarily believe this, but a FAU blog is saying the Owls (the Boca ones) were on the verge of signing Wilder back in 2016 before they landed Kiffin.

http://fauowlaccess.com/a-wilder-ear/14677/2019/12/03/

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(12-03-2019 07:30 PM)devyanks90 Wrote:  I don't necessarily believe this, but a FAU blog is saying the Owls (the Boca ones) were on the verge of signing Wilder back in 2016 before they landed Kiffin.

http://fauowlaccess.com/a-wilder-ear/14677/2019/12/03/

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He was also a candidate for the Temple opening around that time. Everyone eventually said that was untrue but it was wildly speculated

(12-03-2019 07:34 PM)Old Dom Swag Wrote:  

(12-03-2019 07:30 PM)devyanks90 Wrote:  I don't necessarily believe this, but a FAU blog is saying the Owls (the Boca ones) were on the verge of signing Wilder back in 2016 before they landed Kiffin.

http://fauowlaccess.com/a-wilder-ear/14677/2019/12/03/

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He was also a candidate for the Temple opening around that time. Everyone eventually said that was untrue but it was wildly speculated

That I remember.