By Staff
Former Hartselle lineman found out while driving
Nick Johnston, Hartselle Enquirer
LINCOLN, Neb. – Brett Byford will tell anybody going to Nebraska was never about a coach. But when he found out Frank Solich had been fired as the Cornhuskers' coach last week, he was disappointed.
"They've never really given a reason," Byford, a former-Hartselle athlete now offensive lineman for Nebraska, said. "You know, the rumor has been going around all year, but no one really expected it."
Byford said he was driving Saturday night when he started receiving calls from people saying Solich had just been fired. Byford's dad, Joe, learned the news during the Alabama vs. Hawaii game the same night.
"I was talking on the phone and watching the game when I saw it come up at the bottom," Joe said. "I almost dropped the phone. I was like, 'Whoa, what's going on?'"
When Brett was asked why this happened, he said, "Your guess is as good as mine.
"I thought he was a great coach and a great person. But remember, coming to Nebraska wasn't about a coach. I still feel this is where the Lord wants me to be."
Brett, who red-shirted this season, said he has no idea who the front-runner for the job was as of Monday.
Solich's firing has surprised many. He has guided the Cornhuskers to a 58-19 record in six seasons, including 12-1, 10-2 and 11-2 campaigns from 1999-2001. Solich replaced Tom Osborne as coach in December of 1997.
Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini will take the coaching duties in Nebraska's upcoming bowl game.