Gym Cracks By Jim December 21, 2003 NU SELECTION SPECULATION With bowl game drawing near, Husker fans have plenty to say on coaching selection By Jim (Babe) Berryman MissingNebraska.com It has been three weeks since Husker fans were notified Frank Solich would no longer assume the responsibility as head football coach of the Huskers. The selection of a football coach for UNL is still the number one topic in central Nebraska. Letters still appear on editorial pages of daily newspapers. This firing of Solich and his replacement is still the major discussion item on Nebraska sports talk radio. I feel Solich has received more support than criticism from people expressing their views to the media outlets in Nebraska. A letter from Fred Duda, who quarterbacked the Huskers during the period of 1962-66, was very critical of the process in which Solich was fired. Duda pondered if he would be a contributor in future years to the Husker football program. Old-timers will remember Duda and Solich were teammates at UNL. A member of UNL's 1997 team was even more critical. Eric Warfield, a key member of Tom Osborne's final Nebraska team that won the 1997 championship, said Solich was not given enough of an opportunity to excel as the Husker coach. "Honestly, I was disappointed with what they did," Warfield said. "I didn't think they gave Solich a fair chance. Nothing bad about Coach Osborne, but it took him 20-plus years to win the national title." What is the reason for the wait in the selection of a new coach? A Lincoln source told me the talk in Lincoln is that a coach of one of the professional football teams will become the next coach. Supposedly, the UNL athletic director will make the announcement at the end of the regular professional season, which could be as early as next weekend. Last night on one talk show, an entire hour was devoted to the possibility of Steve Spurrier taking the position. The host listed all the reasons Spurrier should be hired and then listed reasons against the hiring of the current coach of the Redskins. It was interesting. The interim coach, Bo Pelini, was quoted this week as saying he has not been interviewed for the position. Maybe a professional coach will hang his cap/visor in Lincoln next year. Husker fans are anxious to know who the next leader of the Big Red will be. Feedback Previous Gym Cracks: 12-05-03: The Solich Split Gym Cracks By Jim 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