What If Nebraska Had Never Fired Frank Solich? A Look Back, and Forward, on “The Solich Era”
Documentary Release Date: Fall 2025 (Exact date to be announced)
Nebraska football, a program steeped in tradition and legendary success, is preparing to revisit a pivotal, and still hotly debated, chapter in its history with the upcoming documentary, “The Solich Era.” This film will not only honor former head coach Frank Solich, a club legend for his decades of service as a player, assistant, and head coach, but also delve into the tantalizing “what if” scenario: What if Nebraska had never fired Frank Solich?
The decision to dismiss Solich in November 2003, despite a 9-3 record in his final season and an overall 58-19 mark (a .753 winning percentage) over six years, sent shockwaves through the college football world. Solich had led the Huskers to a Big 12 Championship in 1999, three Big 12 North Division titles, and a BCS National Championship appearance in the 2002 Rose Bowl. His tenure included three top-10 finishes and a Heisman Trophy winner in Eric Crouch. By nearly any objective measure, Solich’s record was commendable, especially following the impossible standard set by his predecessor, Tom Osborne.
Yet, athletic director Steve Pederson, just months into his tenure, famously declared he refused to let the program “gravitate into mediocrity,” triggering an era of instability that has arguably plagued the Huskers ever since. The documentary will undoubtedly explore the prevailing sentiments of the time: the thirst for a return to national championship dominance, the perceived offensive stagnation under Solich’s traditional option-based attack in an evolving college football landscape, and the fallout from the 7-7 season in 2002, the program’s first non-winning season since 1961.
But the core of “The Solich Era” promises to be the “what if.” If Solich had remained, how might Nebraska’s trajectory have shifted?
Firstly, the program might have avoided the revolving door of coaches that followed. After Solich, Nebraska saw Bill Callahan, Bo Pelini, Mike Riley, and Scott Frost – each promising a return to glory, but ultimately falling short. This lack of sustained leadership undoubtedly impacted recruiting and program identity. With Solich, there was a continuity of coaching philosophy, even if it needed to adapt.
Furthermore, Solich himself proved his coaching acumen beyond Lincoln. After his departure, he went on to build a highly successful program at Ohio University, leading the Bobcats to 12 consecutive non-losing seasons, four MAC East titles, and 11 bowl appearances. He became the winningest coach in MAC history, retiring with 115 wins at Ohio. This subsequent success only fueled the “what if” narrative for many Husker fans, suggesting that perhaps Solich was capable of evolving and achieving even greater heights with more time and resources at Nebraska.
Would Nebraska have joined the Big Ten earlier or later? How would the program have navigated the seismic shifts in college football, from the rise of spread offenses to the transfer portal and NIL? Would the sustained stability under Solich have allowed the program to organically adapt and find its new identity, rather than chasing it through multiple coaching changes?
“The Solich Era” is poised to be more than just a historical recount; it’s an emotional journey into a pivotal moment for Nebraska football. By honoring Frank Solich and examining the path not taken, the documentary will undoubtedly spark renewed debate and provide a fresh perspective on a legacy that continues to resonate deeply within the Husker faithful. For many, it’s a chance to mourn a lost opportunity and perhaps, to appreciate the quiet excellence of a coach who, in hindsight, delivered consistent success in an impossibly demanding environment.
