Syd Thrift, the one time General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, upon creating the late 80's and early nineties Pirates team told a press club audience; "it's not easy raising the dead".

Well Frank Solich could say the same thing., but he never has. He has made the Bobcats a power in the MAC. The team is winning on a consistent basis and has made its fans very proud. Yes, it's true they haven't won a conference championship, but they are right on the precipice of doing so. But that's not what is important here, it's the winning attitude that has prevailed over the team and how much fun it is to watch them play.

I love college football, this coming from a guy who lives in Pittsburgh and has the Steelers to root for. The passion of the kids that play for OU is contagious and I love the fact that they are on ESPN a lot lately. I wish Coach Solich continued success in the coming years ( I hope he stays on a while) and hope the OU community understands and appreciates what a fine job he has done.

Maybe now some of the students will stop wearing scarlet and gray on Saturdays. 


As I mentioned above, I live in Pittsburgh. I am not an alumnus but I have a son and daughter who are.

I know I've been saying this quite a bit, but, let's just enjoy the ride with Solich.  Unlike Nebraska, we'll keep coaches around that go 9-3 during the regular season.  Especially when they win bowl games while televised to a national audience. Winning bowl games is a totally new experience Solich has brought to OHIO fans

Ohio was 5-1 on National TV this year.

Interesting article from the Idaho Statesman:

http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/12/16/1918449/solich-k...

I'm glad he seems to be enjoying himself here, and it looks like he has some more goals for this program.  I hope he's in Athens for a long, long time.  Thanks, Coach.

I've sent my fourth congratulatory email to Coach Solich and staff for another great year and I recommend everyone on this board do the same thing.  The guy has gotten us to the promised land and I am more confident than ever that I will live to see, not only our first Bowl win ever, but the first MAC Championship since the one I saw as a student back in 1968...during my lifetime!

The fact that Marshall is in any bowl game this year tells you most of what you need to know about how important bowl games are nowadays.
 
People floating on warm fuzzies to the extent that they think Ohio has reached the promised land after a one-point win in a bowl game that didn't exist before 1997 to reach 1-6 in the postseason under Frank says a lot, too.

Oh Heck, I am going to beat the dead horse some more: Did Marshall mention in their emails if they were providing shuttle service?

my thanks to coach solich, too.  probably more than anyone, i'm sure he recognizes the shortcomings in our athletic department.  i KNOW it has virtually no money to work with.  on the one hand, it makes me marvel at some things, such as the fact that the convo is still a GREAT basketball venue more than 40 years after it opened.  On the other, i shutter at the way some things are done, or not done, such as fundraising for the new multi purpose center and marketing for the bowl game.