Former Nebraska head coach Frank Solich will be honored in Omaha in 2019.

The Outland Trophy announced on Friday that Solich will be honored on Jan. 9, 2019, as the fifth recipient of the Tom Osborne Legacy Award, during the annual award ceremony. The award will be given by Osborne, with current Nebraska head coach Scott Frost expected to be in attendance.

The award is presented by the Rotary Club and Football Writers Association of America to a candidate predominately played, coached and/ or made extraordinary contributions to the interior line of college football; and/or made contributions to the Outland Trophy, while also exhibiting integrity, sportsmanship and leadership both on and off the field. Past recipients include former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden, former Oklahoma head coach Barry Switzer, former NFL safety Jim Ridlon, and late Nebraska offensive line coach Milt Tenopir.

Solich’s return to Nebraska has been a big question around the program since his firing after the 2003 season. Solich took over for Osborne at Nebraska as head coach in 1998 and compiled a 58-19 record in six seasons. Nebraska went 12-1 in 1999 and finished No. 2 in the USA Today Coaches Poll. That season marked the Huskers’ last conference title in football.

Solich coached Nebraska to the 2001 BCS title game where the Big Red lost to Miami in the Rose Bowl 37-14, finishing 11-2 on the year.

The Huskers followed up that season with a 7-7 campaign in 2002, and after significant staff changes — including the hiring of a young defensive coordinator named Bo Pelini — went 9-3 in 2003. Solich was fired by then-athletic director Steve Pederson, and replaced by Bill Callahan after an exhaustive coaching search. The decision to fire Solich is still debated on message boards and on sports talk shows today as a turning point in the football program.

Frost told Husker247’s Brian Christopherson earlier this month that he has spoken with Solich since taking over as Nebraska’s head coach. Frost said at the time he thinks it is appropriate to bring Solich back to Lincoln to be honored.

The news that Solich will be honored at the Outland Trophy ceremony is a logical first step. Solich is entering his 14th season as Ohio’s head coach, having compiled a 97-71 record with the Bobcats.

"I think so much of Frank," Frost said. "I've said this, but Nebraska football was in good hands when it was with Frank. Frank won over nine games a year, almost 10 games a year on average. Most schools in the country, almost every school in the country, would relish the opportunity to win nine to 10 games a year. I feel like Frank got a little bit of a raw deal here but he's welcome here anytime. And we're going to be rooting for Ohio as long as he's there."