Posted by Rich DeLeo on 12/1/2003, 11:10 am
Board Administrator

Apparently winning is just not good enough in sports these days. Take the case of former Nebraska head football coach Frank Solich. The guy only won 75 percent of his games in 6 seasons (57-19), played for a national championship two seasons ago, and was 9-3 this season. After all of that, Solich finds himself looking for another job today. Athletic Director Steve Pedersen said that he was concerned with the direction the football program was taking, thus the reason for the change. What direction does this clown want the program to go? Down!! With that kind of record, most coaches would be getting an extension on their contract, but in Nebraska, you get fired for winning only 75 percent of the time. Another remark that Pedersen made was that he was not going to let Nebraska "surrender" the Big 12 to either Oklahoma or Texas. Since when did the Big 12 become Nebraska's exclusive property to surrender? This is arrogance personified! So Nebraska was not satisfied with a 9-3 season. Most teams would be drinking champagne if they went 9-3, but not the "huskers". What do they want? Just because Oklahoma has dominated the Big 12 for the past 2 seasons, "Big Red" decided to shake things up and bring in a new coach. And what is that new guy going to think about when he is paraded before the media as the next savior of Husker football? He will probably be expected to win every game they play, while shutting out all opponents, and they must score 50 + points per game in doing so. This is going to set a bad example for the rest of sports in general. Winning used to be the bottom line for most, but now that isn't even good enough. Well, I have news for you, there is nothing more anyone can do in sports except win! It's a very short menu, win, lose or tie. That's it!! Frank Solich is a good coach and he will coach again. How about him on the sidelines at Beaver Stadium? NO, I am not promoting the dismissal of JoePa, but Solich has a solid record, and is from the region, (Windber), which could score him some points. Back to the issue, if winning is not enough, then what do schools tell coaches? You must win at all costs? Pedersen said that is not what he wants for his team. So what is it that he wants? His team does win, yet the coach was fired for winning! If it is a discipline problem, then tell us about it. Don't fire a guy, then tell us that he is a good coach. If he is a good coach, he wouldn't have been let go.