BOULDER, Colorado (Ticker) -- Amid a report that his job could be in jeopardy, Frank Solich returns to the site of a humbling defeat when No. 23 Nebraska visits Colorado on Friday in a Big 12 Conference game.
The Lincoln Journal Star, citing three sources close to the program, reported Sunday that athletic director Steve Pederson wants Solich to step down at the end of the regular season.
According to the newspaper, Pederson will ask Solich, in his sixth year at Nebraska, to announce his retirement following Friday's regular-season finale, then will offer him a job in the athletic department and a lucrative buyout package.
If Pedersen does try to force out Solich, it may not come without a fight.
"It's (retiring) never crossed my mind," Solich told the Lincoln Journal Star.
Solich, 59, is 57-19 since taking over for Tom Osborne following the 1997 season but the Cornhuskers have struggled at times during his tenure. The problems began on Thanksgiving weekend two years ago in Boulder when the Buffaloes rolled to a 62-36 win over Eric Crouch and the Cornhuskers.
Nebraska ended up playing in the national title game that season, but the Cornhuskers are a mere 15-12 beginning with the loss in Boulder.
The Cornhuskers (8-3, 4-3 Big 12 North) have endured lopsided losses to Texas, Missouri and Kansas State this season. In their last game, Nebraska suffered its worst home loss since 1958, a 38-9 defeat to Kansas State that eliminated it from the Big 12 North Division race.
Nebraska's defense showed plenty of holes, allowing 561 yards by Kansas State. One of the few bright spots was three interceptions, including one by safety Josh Bullocks, who has 10 this season.
Colorado (5-6, 3-4) has won its last two games after dropping six of seven and needs a victory on Friday to become bowl eligible.
The Buffaloes feature the receiving tandem of D.J. Hackett and Derek McCoy, who have combined for 129 catches and 15 touchdowns.
Colorado defeated Nebraska, 28-13, last season and tries to defeat the Cornhuskers three straight times for the first time since 1956-58.
