ODU Athletics

HEAD COACH BOBBY WILDER Wilder has also been instrumental in getting his team active in the Hampton Roads Community. In what has become an annual event, the ODU Football Monarchs host a bone marrow registry drive and to date has helped register over 450 members of the ODU student body, faculty/staff, and the Hampton Roads community to the registry in an attempt to help save lives from life-threatening diseases nationwide. The Monarchs have also been active volunteering with Special Olympics, hosting youth clinics, and participating at reading and career days at many of the area's elementary and middle schools. Prior to his arrival at ODU, Wilder served on the Maine staff for the past 17 years and was promoted to assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2000 before moving to associate head coach in 2001. As coordinator, Wilder has orchestrated a balanced attack. The Black Bears averaged 29.1 points per game in 2004, and scored 29 or more in seven of 11 games. Wilder helped tutor running back Marcus Williams, who rushed for 1,077 yards during his senior season, which moved him into first place in school history for career rushing yards. Maine also threw the ball a lot during the campaign as eight different receivers each had double-digit receptions. Ron Whitcomb was at the head of the passing attack as his completions (213) and attempts (350) were the fourth most in a single season since 1950. His 22 touchdown tosses were tied for third most since 1950. Overall, the offense averaged an impressive 5.2 yards per play. Wilder was named the Assistant Coach of the Year by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston in 2004, which is presented annually to the top assistant coach in New England. In 2003, the Black Bears had over 2,000 yards rushing and passing with 4,142 total yards. The ground game was anchored by Williams and the passing game was in the hands of then-freshman Ron Whitcomb, who was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year as he posted 2,428 yards - the fifth most in a season at Maine. The 2002 Black Bears finished the season with 4,702 yards in total offense, the most since a school-record 4,861 yards in 1989. In 2001, for the first time in school history, the offense boasted a 2,000-yard passer in Jake Eaton, a 1,000-yard rusher in Royston English, and a 1,000-yard receiver in Stefan Gomes. Prior to moving to the coordinator post, Wilder served as quarterbacks coach during one of the most explosive eras in Maine history for Black Bear quarterbacks. Wilder guided four-year starter Mickey Fein to 17 University marks, including the two highest season totals for touchdown passes. Fein ended his career as Maine's second all-time leading passer. In 2000, Wilder's first full season as offensive coordinator, the Black Bears ranked third in the Atlantic 10 with 29.0 points per game. The rushing game increased its output by 41 yards per game from the previous season and Eaton garnered All-New England honors. Two wide receivers from that team, Dwayne Wilmot and Phil McGeoghan, signed pro contracts and were in NFL camps in 2001. In 2002, Maine tight end Chad Hayes signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and then played briefly with the Cincinnati Bengals. A 1987 graduate of Maine with a degree in physical education, Wilder captained the Black Bears to the Yankee Conference Championship his senior year. An All-New England quarterback in 1985, he left Maine as the school's all-time leading passer with 4,493 yards, and is currently sixth behind Mike Buck, Emilio Colon, Fein, Eaton and Whitcomb on the career passing list. Wilder coached four of those former players and played with the fifth. A 1982 graduate of Madison High School in Madison, Maine, Wilder was a highly recruited quarterback his senior year. He opted to attend Maine and in his sophomore year and led the Black Bears to their first of five consecutive winning seasons. Upon graduation, Wilder served as a graduate assistant coach for two seasons under Jack Bicknell at Boston College, where he earned his master's degree in educational administration in 1990. Wilder and his wife, Pam, live in Norfolk with their sons, Derek (15) and Drew (10). "Playing at the Sold Out S.B. Ballard Stadium on Saturday's is an incredible experience for our players and coaches. I believe we have the best game day atmosphere in all of F.C.S. Football."

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