Frank Solich

Bio

Frank Solich built a legacy of winning at both Ohio and Nebraska that has earned him a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. Solich notched an overall record of 173-101 for a 63.1 winning percentage during his 22 years as a head coach, including 115-82 (58.4%) during his 16 years at Ohio and 58-19 (75.3%) during his six-year run with the Cornhuskers. The winningest coach in Mid-American Conference history with 115 overall wins, Solich led the Bobcats to four MAC East titles (2006, 2009, 2011, 2016), and his 77 conference wins rank second only behind College Football Hall of Fame coach Herb Deromedi, who posted 90 victories during his career at Central Michigan. He and Deromedi are tied at 16 years for longest tenured coach in MAC history. His 115 wins also rank second in Bobcat program history, only behind Don Peden who had 121 victories from 1924-46. Prior to Solich's arrival in Athens, the Bobcats had enjoyed only two winning seasons in the previous 22 years, and they had not appeared in a bowl game since 1968 and only two postseason appearances in program history. Solich quickly filled the void during his second season with a berth in the 2006 GMAC Bowl, and 11 more bowl games during his tenure. He guided Ohio to 12-straight non-losing seasons, with six years of at least nine wins, including a 10-win campaign in 2011. He coached the Bobcats to a major upset, beating Penn State, 24-14, in Happy Valley during the season opener in 2012. Solich coached Nebraska to a Big 12 title (1999) and three Big 12 North Division titles (1999, 2000, 2001). The Cornhuskers posted at least nine wins in 5 of his 6 seasons as head coach, including a 12-1 record and No. 3 final ranking in 1999. He later led the Huskers to an 11-2 record and an appearance against Miami (FL) in the BCS National Championship Game at the 2002 Rose Bowl. He was named Home Depot Coach of the Year in 1999 and a finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award in 2001. He was also the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2001 and MAC Coach of the Year in 2006.

Career Highlights

• 2001 AFCA District Coach of the Year
• 2001 Conference Coach of the Year
• 1999 Conference Coach of the Year