THE BROO VIEW with Ken Broo

To anyone who bleeds Ohio University green and white, he is the saviour. Frank Solich has led the Bobcat football program out of the oblivion and into the ranks of respectability. And on Monday, he was rewarded.

Solich has been named the Mid American Conference coach of the year. The Bobcats record is now 9-3, with a chance to hit double digit wins this Thursday night.

A little history lesson. Ohio was once the biggest, baddest little college football program in America. You have to go back to 1960 to appreciate that, when the Bobcats had the best "small college" team in the USA. Today, all Division I programs are on the same level, all play for the same national championship. But back in '60, there was no mid major football team better than Ohio's. In 1968, under Bill Hess, a disciple of Woody Hayes, the Bobcats won the MAC and went to the Tangerine Bowl. The long nightmare began soon after.

In 1973, Ohio went 5-5. I know, I was the color commentator on their radio broadcasts. I remember going to Chicago with the 'Cats when they were 29 point underdogs to a very mediocre Northwestern University team. Ohio beat Northwestern, by four points if I remember correctly and Hess was named the national coach of the week. A large man, Hess was asked if he was disappointed his team didn't carry him off the field after that glorious victory. A self-deprecating man from the start, Hess quipped, "No, I was glad they didn't try to do that. As big as I am, they'd've had to made two trips."

A long, long nightmare began soon after that, plenty of two, three and some one win seasons. In the late 90's, Jim Grobe arrived for a brief moment of sunshine. But after he skated for Wake Forest, the Bobcats found themselves back in the college football abyss.

Until Solich arrived.

I found it ironic that Ohio can go to 10-3 with a win Thursday night against Central Michigan in the MAC Championship game. Nebraska fired Solich after the 2003 season for 'only going 9-3'.
Their loss, our gain.

Way to go Frank. We've been waiting for you....a long time.

Ken