As if teams such as Texas and Kansas State weren't enough trouble, former Nebraska football coach Frank Solich battled a force much closer to home as he fought to keep his job in 2003.
He essentially was fighting Nebraska itself.
Fighting a burdensome and frustrating in-house battle.
According to a former Nebraska football staff member, Solich and his assistants felt high-level NU administrators essentially hoped for the Huskers to lose games.
How much support did the staff feel it received from chancellor Harvey Perlman and then-athletic director Steve Pederson?
"None whatsoever," said Brendan Bussmann, a former director of operations on Solich's staff, and the coach's right-hand man.
Shortly before the season, because of a dispute over assistant coaches' contracts, the entire coaching staff walked out of work because Pederson refused to meet with them. Media didn't catch wind of the walkout.
That was just one in-house issue.
I recall many interviews and conversations with Solich during his time as Husker head coach (1998-2003). He didn't talk much about his bosses. The coach obviously isn't the type to complain or make excuses, so he toiled mostly in quiet frustration.
Bussmann, now a senior-level hospital administrator in another state, is thoroughly convinced Pederson and Perlman hoped for a subpar season.
Realize, such a situation wasn't necessarily unique to Nebraska. Pederson and Perlman wouldn't be the first administrators to wish for losses if they felt it would make it easier to fire the head coach for what they perceived as the greater good of the program.
Long story short, Pederson fired Solich the day after Nebraska's regular season-ending triumph Nov. 29 at Colorado -- 10 years ago today. The Huskers were 9-3 overall and 5-3 in the Big 12, tied for second in the North Division.
Similarities to current Nebraska coach Bo Pelini's situation entering the game against Iowa are obvious. Sixth-year head coach. His team 8-3. Speculation swirling as the Huskers prepare for a border rival. Questionable support from his bosses.
Bussmann watches from afar hoping Perlman doesn't repeat history. The former Solich staffer feels it was crystal-clear Perlman didn't support Solich. In late 2002 -- after Nebraska had finished 7-7 (3-5 Big 12) -- Perlman ignored the formal search process and hired Pederson with the understanding Pederson may have to fire Solich.
Bussmann's recollection of key events in 2003 supports that notion. He recalls a hastily called October staff meeting with Pederson. Pederson showed the coaches plans for the North Stadium expansion project, including new coaches' offices, weight room, locker rooms, basically state-of-the-art everything. It was a treasure.
One problem: Solich and his staff had no input. In fact, they didn't even know plans were in the works, Bussmann said.
Think about that for a second.
"It was Steve saying, 'Here's what I'm going to do, and, no, I don't need your input,'" Bussmann said.
The meeting with Pederson didn't exactly pump energy and momentum into the embattled coaching staff. The coaches were less than thrilled, Bussmann said. It was just another sign of impending doom.
Pederson politely declined to comment this week.
Before the season even began, Pederson made moves that angered the coaches and left them wondering about their futures.
Exhibit A: The assistants had three-year contracts. That is, until Pederson secretly restructured the deals.
"The Friday in June before the coaches were going to go on vacation, Steve put all of their contracts in their mailboxes (at Memorial Stadium)," Bussmann said. "All of a sudden, they were one-year contracts that began the January six months prior. They expired right at the end of the season."
Talk about disconcerting. The issue lingered until early August, as coaches began preparing for fall camp.
"The coaches showed up the first day and basically said, 'Until we're able to get our contracts resolved, there are a lot of open-ended questions,'" Bussmann recalled.
They walked out that day, missing a day of preparation for fall camp. The dispute eventually was settled, but not completely to the coaches' liking. They simply didn't have time to push it too far; the season loomed.
It was a season that was awkward and uncomfortable from the start. Bussmann said he felt "Nebraska had to win the national championship in order to save our jobs."
