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Former Madison HS and UMaine quarterback Bobby Wilder has signed a five-year contract extension to stay as Old Dominion University head coach. Wilder left his job as UMaine offensive coordinator in 2007 to re-start football at ODU and by most accounts it has been a success.

The news from Norfolk, Virginia comes as the Monarchs begin their spring practice tomorrow.

Along with the extension for Wilder, his seven assistants will get two-year deals. Getting his assistants more than a one-year deal had been a sticking point in the contract talks.

Wilder led ODU to a 10-3 season last fall and a win in the Bahamas Bowl over Eastern Michigan.

The ODU re-start of the football program started in 2007. The Monarchs played in the FCS division of NCAA football and eventually moved up to FBS, playing in Conference-USA.

Wilder's coaching staff includes several former UMaine players and coaches, including Rich Nagy, Ron Whitcomb, Brian Scott and Jeff Comissiong.

The new contract keeps Wilder at the Virginia school through 2021 season. The Virginian-Pilot newspaper is reporting the annual salary close to $660,000 per year.

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