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GM's friendship with ODU coach may help Chiefs at NFL combine | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com

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Pioli thinks he ultimately will be better thanks to his tight relationship with Old Dominion coach Bobby Wilder, which isn't as random as it sounds. "Bobby and I have had long conversations about talent evaluation, recruiting and talent procurement," Pioli said. "Whether you're recruiting or scouting, there's evaluation of human beings involved, and Bobby's very, very good at that." Nearly 25 years of contact with Wilder brings Pioli to that assessment honestly. They played I-AA college ball in the Northeast against each other. Crossed paths again as graduate assistants - Wilder at Boston College, Pioli at Syracuse - and then as full-time assistants, bonding a friendship throughout.