Athens, OH (My Sportsbook) - Ohio University named former Nebraska coach Frank Solich as its new head football coach during a Thursday afternoon press conference.

The 60-year-old Cleveland native becomes the 28th head coach in school history. Solich signed a multi-year agreement to guide the Bobcats and his annual base salary will be $240,000.

Last month, Ohio University director of athletics Thomas Boeh announced that coach Brian Knorr had been relieved of his duties. Knorr spent four seasons as head coach of the Bobcats and compiled an overall record of 11-35, including a 4-7 mark during the 2004 campaign. Ohio started this season 3-2, but then lost five of its last six games.

The Bobcats finished 1-10 in Knorr's first season in 2001 before posting a 4-8 record in 2002 and a 2-10 mark in 2003. The university announced that it will honor the final year of Knorr's five-year contract.

"We are thrilled that Frank Solich will lead the Ohio football program into a new era and reclaim the winning tradition in Peden Stadium," said Boeh.

Solich was fired by Nebraska following the 2003 regular season, despite the fact that the Cornhuskers went 9-3 and earned a berth in the Alamo Bowl.

He took over for Tom Osborne after the 1997 national championship campaign and compiled a 58-19 record over six campaigns. Solich was the Big 12 Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2001.

Under Solich, the Cornhuskers captured the conference title in 1999 and played for the national championship following the 2001 season, losing the title game to Miami-Florida in the 2002 Rose Bowl.

"For many years we have talked about the characteristics that we look for when recruiting and hiring a head coach and Frank, without question, embodies the 'whole package,'" added Boeh. "His 38-year track record relative to integrity, leadership, commitment to academic success, and winning football programs makes him the dream choice for Ohio."

Prior to succeeding Osborne, Solich served under him as an assistant for 19 seasons. During his 15 years as running backs coach, he recruited and coached 1983 Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier and produced at least one all- conference running back in 13 of those campaigns.