51社区

51社区 Head Football Coach Frank Solich announced today that he is stepping down from his position to focus on his health, after an unprecedented successful 16 seasons leading the Bobcats, which included 11 bowl appearances, four Mid-American Conference East titles and a Top 25 ranking.

Following Solich鈥檚 announcement, Director of Athletics Julie Cromer announced that Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator Tim Albin has agreed to become the new head football coach, agreeing to a four-year contract.

鈥淎fter 55 years in coaching, including 16 at 51社区, it is time for me to step away to focus on a cardiovascular health issue,鈥� said Solich, a former Home Depot National Coach of the Year (1999) and MAC Coach of the Year (2016). 鈥淚鈥檝e appreciated the support of Bobcat fans over the years, and I know they will continue to support Coach Albin. After working directly with Tim for 21 consecutive years, including six at the University of Nebraska, it鈥檚 clear to me he is prepared to continue our work and move the program forward. I am happy for Tim and his family.鈥�

Solich owns a career coaching record of 173-101. His 173 overall wins rank as the fourth most among active NCAA FBS head coaches. He is the winningest head coach in Mid-American Conference history with 115 overall victories while his 77 conference-only wins rank second to former Central Michigan head coach Herb Deromedi鈥檚 90. His 16 years of service match Deromedi鈥檚 (1978-93) for the most in MAC history. Ohio is 115-82 during the Solich era. His 115 victories are the second-most in program history behind Don Peden (121; 1924-46). Ohio has gone 77-46 in conference play since Solich's arrival in Athens in 2005. 

鈥淲e are so grateful for all that Coach Solich has given to 51社区 and, especially, to our football program,鈥� Cromer said. 鈥淗e has elevated our program to incredible heights and his legacy rests not only in the on-the-field accomplishments, but also in the lives of hundreds of Bobcats who learned about football 鈥� and life 鈥� from Coach. I am excited that he has agreed to serve as a close advisor to me and as a resource to our students, coaches and staff. We look forward to opportunities in the coming year to show our appreciation for Coach Solich and to celebrate his legacy.鈥� 

OHIO has had a run of 12-straight non-losing seasons that has included 11 winning campaigns and six years with at least nine victories, including a 10-win campaign in 2011. The 2012 season began with the Bobcats earning a signature win at Penn State, upsetting the Nittany Lions by a score of 24-14. Ohio captured division titles in 2006, 2009, 2011 and 2016. Solich led the Bobcats to 11 of their 13 bowl appearances and 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).

鈥淐oach Solich has been a deeply valued part of the 51社区 family not only for his record on the field but also for his support of student athletes and their success at OHIO and after graduation,鈥� said 51社区 President Hugh Sherman. 鈥淚鈥檓 thankful for his leadership and for the continuity that Tim Albin will bring as he steps into the role of head football coach. He knows our program and our players and has been a significant part of the team鈥檚 success.鈥�

Albin joined the Ohio Football coaching staff as offensive coordinator in 2005, reuniting with Solich after four seasons together at Nebraska. The 2021 season will mark Albin鈥檚 17th year in Athens. Since his arrival in Athens, Albin has produced offensive units that have consistently ranked among the top of the Mid-American Conference. He also has directed an offensive attack that has practically rewritten all of Ohio鈥檚 rushing, passing records, and scoring records. In the past 10 seasons, Albin鈥檚 offensive units rank No. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on the Ohio all-time Top 10 single season scoring list. The Bobcats 368 points in 2018 rank fourth on the all-time list. 

鈥淲e are so fortunate to have someone with Tim鈥檚 experience, character and vision already within our program,鈥� Cromer said. 鈥淭here are few situations where a transition can be as seamless as this one. Tim has been an integral part of the sustained success of OHIO football and with his leadership we expect to maintain our competitive pursuit of MAC Championships, even as he establishes his own imprint on the program. We are excited for Tim to lead our football program.鈥�

Albin spent the 2004 season as offensive coordinator and running backs coach at North Dakota State, helping the Bison to an 8-3 record and No. 25 national ranking in their first season at the Division I-AA level. NDSU finished the season averaging 378.5 yards of total offense, including 192.4 on the ground, and had four offensive players named first-team All-Great West Football Conference. Albin served with Solich at Nebraska from 2000 to 2003. He started with the Cornhusker program as a graduate assistant, a position he held for three seasons before being promoted to running backs coach and passing game coordinator for the 2003 season. Prior to his stint at Nebraska, Albin was the head coach at Northwestern Oklahoma State for three seasons, winning the NAIA national championship in 1999 with a 13-0 record. He was named NAIA Football Coach of the Year by Rawlings and American Football Coach Magazine as the Rangers recorded their first undefeated season in history.

鈥淚t is truly an honor to lead the 51社区 football program and I want to express my gratitude to President Sherman and Director of Athletics Julie Cromer for their belief in me,鈥� Albin said. 鈥淚 am forever indebted to Coach Solich for all that he has offered me and taught me through the years, and I know he will always be part of our program. Our team will provide an unmatched student-athlete experience both on and off the field and we will graduate young men prepared to succeed in life. With the help of our incredible staff I know great things lie ahead, and our work continues.鈥�