Two FCS Playoff teams secured new deals with their current head coach. Bobby Wilder and Tennessee Tech agreed to a new five-year contract, while Tim Polasek and North Dakota State agreed to a new seven-year deal.
Wilder has only been with the Golden Eagles for two seasons, but has taken the program to new heights in the modern era. He was hired in December 2023 and started 2-5 before reeling off 5 straight wins to end the season at 7-5. The Golden Eagles went 6-2 in the OVC-Big South, claiming a share of the title. Following the season, Wilder was given a contract extension through 2029.
This year, they went 11-1, won the OVC-Big South title outright, and will compete in the 2025 FCS Playoffs as the 13th overall seed. The back-to-back titles are the first for TTU since the four straight from 1958 through 1961. Prior to Wilder’s arrival, Tennessee Tech had only two winning seasons since 2007, which occurred in 2009 and 2011. The 2011 season was also the most recent conference title for the Golden Eagles and the first time the program reached the FCS playoffs.
Likewise, Polasek has only been in charge of the Bison for two years, following his appointment as Matt Entz‘s replacement in 2023. NDSU went 14-2 overall in 2024, claiming a share of the MVFC title and winning the FCS National Championship. As an encore, the Bison are 12-0 this year and looked dominant for much of the season. North Dakota State is the top overall seed in the FCS Playoffs and the heavy favorite to repeat.
Tennessee Tech will be flying high on its way out of the OVC-Big South, as it joins the Southern Conference for the 2026 season. North Dakota State has been perpetually linked to a move to the FBS and the Mountain West would be the likely destination. Polasek declined an FBS job before the new deal with NDSU was announced, and the new deal includes a significant raise for Polasek, additional staff money, and more program resources, according to Pete Thamel. It may not be long until the Bison are stampeding towards the FBS.
North Dakota State awaits the winner of the first round matchup between Illinois State and #16 Southeastern Louisiana. NDSU will host the second round game on Saturday, December 6, at 1 PM ET in Fargo. Tennessee Tech will play in the first round at home against North Dakota on Saturday, November 29, at 1 PM ET.
Photo Credit to North Dakota State University Athletics
