The timing felt right for Frank Solich's return to Nebraska
Since Frank Solich was fired at Nebraska nearly 20 years ago, it’s hard to ignore the trajectory of the Husker football program.
NU has only been ranked in the AP top 5 for one week since Solich’s firing in 2003. It’s become a running joke that the curse of Frank Solich still hangs over the Husker football program after former NU athletic director Steve Pederson decided to fire Solich and his staff after a 10-3 season.
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Solich has not been back to NU since being fired. This weekend he will be honored at the Red-White spring game in Lincoln.
“There’s not a curse put on by any of my family members. Otherwise, there would be a few more people in trouble,” Solich said jokingly. “We’ve got nothing to do with curses. If there’s a curse, it’s not because of us. Let’s just say it’s gone now if there ever was one.”
The former Husker fullback said he still roots for and follows Nebraska to this day.
“Deep down inside, I was actually pulling for Nebraska,” Solich said. “It was tough to see what had really transpired in terms of wins and losses as things unfolded over the years.”
So why now? What led to Solich’s decision to return after all these years?
Solich said it was time, and he was glad to be back.
“I just felt comfortable with it right now,” Solich said. “Coach Matt Rhule, I know when he got to town, he got ahold of Coach (Tom) Osborne and he texted me some, and we texted back and forth and talked on the phone maybe once or twice. That wasn’t happening before. I just felt welcomed in that manner, and I knew it would be good to get back and be a part of what Nebraska is all about. I looked forward to it and am glad I’m here.
“I’ve been invited back several times by Trev (Alberts). He was relentless. He kept after it. It makes a lot of sense to be back. I spent a lot of time on that field out there. My family spent a lot of time here. We consider it our home. It’s great to be back.”
Frank Solich is impressed with Rhule and what he’s seen so far
Not only was Rhule quick to reach out to Solich when hired, but he’s also let him in on a lot of the things he plans to do at Nebraska
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Solich said on Friday that Rhule has even “implemented the belly option” into his offense, which is sure to make an old fullback smile.
“He’s doing all the right things in my mind,” Solich said of Rhule. “That being said, he believes he’s got some talent here, and I’m sure they’ll be able to recruit some great talent. I’m hoping they will have great success and move Nebraska’s football program forward. I really believe that will happen.”
On Saturday, Solich looks forward to being a spectator in Memorial Stadium, which hasn’t happened in quite some time.
“I’m looking forward to watching the game and seeing what they are all about,” Solich said. “I think Coach Rhule feels somewhat comfortable about his team. I’m just going to be watching it from a coaching perspective. Then it will also feel good to be in the midst of the fans. That’s a good feeling for me.”
