NORFOLK, Va. - Despite finishing tied for first place in the Eastern division after being projected to finish sixth in the preseason poll, Thursday Conference USA did not vote Old Dominion head football coach Bobby Wilder its Coach of the Year. Louisiana Tech's Skip Holtz earned the honor.
Even if Wilder improves on his 2016 success, there's a possibility Wilder won't be able to win the award next season, either.
Old Dominion head football coach Bobby Wilder
Dan Wolken of USA Today reports Wilder is the "most intriguing candidate" for the head coach vacancy at Temple University. The Owls former head coach, Matt Rhule, was introduced as Baylor's new bench boss Wednesday.
News 3 Sports Director Adam Winkler spoke with Wilder's agent, Dennis Cordell, Thursday. Cordell wouldn't confirm nor deny any interest between Wilder and Temple, nor would he confirm if Wilder is a candidate for the Owls' job or had plans to interview.
However, Cordell did confirm Old Dominion officials are in the process of negotiating a contract extension for Wilder. News 3 has learned the two sides have been in discussions for two weeks.
Head coach Bobby Wilder leads his team onto the field.
According to USA Today's 2016 College Coaching Salary Database, Wilder is being paid $569,590 this season. As Temple's head coach, Rhule was estimated to earn more than $1 million per year in salary.
Wilder, the 14th longest-tenured head coach in the FBS and the third longest in Conference USA, is 66-and-30 as the only head football coach ODU has ever employed. He guided the Monarchs to a 9-and-3 record in 2016. Old Dominion will play in the program's first ever bowl game December 23rd: the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl vs. Eastern Michigan.
