Gym Cracks By Jim December 5, 2003 THE SOLICH SPLIT Solich firing divides Husker fans, former players By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com Needless to say, Husker football is important to Nebraskans. The firing of the Nebraska football coach is the number one topic on sport pages and editorial pages throughout the state. In Friday's edition of the World-Herald that was distributed in the Grand Island area, thirteen letters to the editor were printed. Coach Solich was the topic in ten of these letters on the editorial page. The Voice from the Grandstand carried five more articles on the firing of Frank Solich. In listening to ESPN radio Thursday afternoon, a caller from Nebraska estimated 60 to 70 percent of Nebraskans were against the firing or the manner in which the firing was conducted. I'm sure the above figure wasn't the result of a scientific poll, but I feel he was close in his estimate. Either your for or against the firing, there doesn't appear to be many sitting on the fence in regard to the replacement of Coach Solich. Even former Husker football players are divided on the firing. A former Husker from Grand Island (Jeremy Jensen) suggests AD Pederson was right in his decision. Jensen, who played at UN in 1991,1992 and 1993, said Solich was a tremendous ambassador for the program. He added, "Solich set a great example for our players and has dedicated his life pretty much to our program and for that we owe him gratitude. But looking at things objectively, he didn't get it done as a head coach." Mick Ziegler, who played wingback for the Huskers during 1965-68, has an entirely different viewpoint of the situation. He writes, "Frank Solich represents everything that is right with college football -- honesty, integrity, loyalty, commitment, great work ethic, and dedication to his staff and players. He took the right path and still managed to compile the sixth-best record among active coaches in Division I." Then referring to AD Pederson he adds, "You sir, represent everything that is wrong with college football -- lying, deceit, disloyalty, unreasonable expectations and greed. Somewhere along the line you have lost your moral compass and value system, and as a result, the NU football program has paid the ultimate price." Wow, we know where these two former Huskers stand on the issue. Talk in coffee shops and on the streets is also divided on the firing. One person volunteered, "A national championship will silence all the critics of the firing." Maybe the Big Red will be in the hunt for national championships in the near future. Still it bothers me a man as loyal as Frank Solich had to be sacrificed for our pride. Feedback Previous Gym Cracks: 11-04-03: More Nebraska Less Stuff Gym Cracks By Jim 09-27-03: Cubs Camp Calls Gym Cracks By Jim 09-09-03: Back To Nebraska Gym Cracks By Jim 08-14-03: Feet Spoil Feat Gym Cracks By Jim 07-15-03: Training For Walk Gym Cracks By Jim 06-30-03: Walk Across Nebraska Gym Cracks By Jim 06-20-03: No Stress Stress Test Gym Cracks By Jim 06-11-03: Crazy Horse 'Fun' Gym Cracks By Jim 05-31-03: Friends For Life Gym Cracks By Jim 05-19-03: Spurs And Cubs Gym Cracks By Jim 04-29-03: L.A. Delay Gym Cracks By Jim 04-16-03: What's In A Nickname? Gym Cracks By Jim 03-28-03: More March Madness Gym Cracks By Jim 03-14-03: March To Remember Gym Cracks By Jim 03-07-03: Tall & Tough Gym Cracks By Jim 02-26-03: Zingerland Gym Cracks By Jim 02-19-03: Cuss The Bus Gym Cracks By Jim 02-09-03: Ratings And Recruiting Gym Cracks By Jim 01-31-03: Hoops Elite Gym Cracks By Jim 01-24-03: Nebraska's Super Connection Gym Cracks By Jim 01-15-03: Hometown Hits Big Time Gym Cracks By Jim 2002 12-30-02: Count The Numbers Gym Cracks By Jim 12-18-02: Cream Of Coaching Crop Gym Cracks By Jim 11-28-02: The Big Picture Gym Cracks By Jim 11-18-02: 2 For 2 Gym Cracks By Jim 10-25-02: Sweet On Switzer Gym Cracks By Jim 10-17-02: Best Time Year Gym Cracks By Jim 10-11-02: Odds And Ends Gym Cracks By Jim 10-04-02: The Rating Game Gym Cracks By Jim 09-22-02: Fans Panned Gym Cracks By Jim 09-12-02: World Herald Calling Gym Cracks 09-05-02: Bit By Baseball Bug Gym Cracks 08-29-02: Caring Coaches Gym Cracks 08-22-02: Nebraska "Storm" Hits Colorado Gym Cracks 08-15-02: Cubs Win, Wallet Drained Gym Cracks 08-08-02: To Coors For Cubs Gym Cracks 07-25-02: Major League Madness Gym Cracks 07-18-02: Nebraskans In The Majors Gym Cracks 07-11-02: Kile Death Sheds Light Gym Cracks 07-04-02: Couch Potato Parking Gym Cracks 06-23-02: Top 10 Nebraska High School Nicknames Gym Cracks 06-06-02: Better In The 50s Gym Cracks 05-30-02: Dangerfield of Nebraska Gym Cracks 05-16-02: Baseball Sneak Aways Gym Cracks