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CLEVELAND– Former head football coach Frank Solich was named to the 2024 Mid-American Conference Hall of Fame induction class, as announced by the conference today (March 15). Earlier this year, Solich was also named to the 2024 College Football Hall of Fame class.
"Coach Solich's legacy is forever ingrained in Ohio football and the Mid-American Conference's history. In his 16 years at the helm of our program, he elevated Ohio football in innumerable ways and impacted the lives of countless players and coaches," said Director of Athletics Julie Cromer. "He lead Ohio to 12 consecutive non-losing seasons, coached the Bobcats to multiple bowl victories, become the winningest coach in the MAC, and redefined Ohio University's place on the national sports scene. We congratulate Frank, Pam and their family and we are excited to celebrate this achievement with them.
After serving as head coach from 2005-21, Solich earned the title of Winningest Coach in the Mid-American Conference with a 115-82 overall record. In the Ohio history books, his 115 wins make him second only to Don Peden, who coached the Bobcats to 121 wins (1924-46). Solich's 77 conference wins rank him second to former Central Michigan head coach Herb Deromedi, who recorded 90 MAC wins, while his 16 years of service matches Deromedi's (1978-93) for the most in MAC history.
Solich started his Ohio legacy with a bang, securing his first home victory in his debut at Peden Stadium against Pitt. Dion Byrum returned two interceptions for touchdowns to win the game; the first tied the Bobcats and Panthers, 7-7, in the first quarter. With seconds left in the game, a Pitt field goal tied the game again, but Byrum's 85-yard overtime interception return secured the 16-10 victory. The 2012 Bobcats opened the season with a 24-14 victory at Penn State. After entering the third quarter trailing 14-3, two touchdowns in the third gave Ohio a three-point lead. They solidified their victory in the fourth with a 14-play, 93-yard drive, extending their lead over the Nittany Lions to 10 points.
Under Solich's guidance, the Bobcats saw 12 consecutive non-losing seasons, including six years with at least nine victories and highlighted by a 10-win campaign in 2011. Solich led Ohio to division titles in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2016, earning MAC Coach of the Year honors in 2016.
"Coach Solich dedicated almost 50 years to the game of college football both as a player and a coach. Through all his accomplishments, he is a man of utmost integrity who has always done things the right way," said head coach
Tim Albin He has impacted countless individuals — players, peers and fans alike — and is a staple to the game and to Athens. I can't think of a better representative for the MAC Hall of Fame."
Solich coached Ohio to 11 bowl appearances, securing the first five bowl victories in program history with back-to-back wins in the 2011 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl and '12 Independence Bowl and back-to-back-to-back victories in the 2017 Bahamas Bowl, '18 DXL Frisco Bowl and '20 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (2019 season).
For more information on the 2024 of Ohio football season, including a celebration of Coach Solich at Peden Stadium, visit https://ohiobobcats.com/sports/football or follow Ohio Football on X at @OhioFootball.
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