Report: Solich Says No to Opening at Army

Frank Solich, who was fired last Saturday as coach of Nebraska, has turned down an offer to become coach at Army, the Omaha World-Herald reported Friday.

Solich, 59, was offered the job on Thursday night and was to fly to West Point, N.Y., on Friday. Army officials were hopeful of announcing the hiring of Solich before today’s game in Philadelphia against Navy.

The paper reported that Solich, who has declined interviews since his firing, was concerned that Army was moving too quickly to find a successor to Todd Berry, who was fired in October after he went 5-35 in just over three seasons. John Mumford has taken over on an interim basis.

If Army (0-12) loses today to Navy (7-4), the Black Knights would become the first team in major college history to finish 0-13.

*

Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti, 52, agreed to a one-year contract extension that will keep him with the Ducks through the 2008 season.... The El Paso Times reported that former Washington State and Alabama coach Mike Price has talked with Texas El Paso officials about its coaching opening.... Discussions between Central Florida officials and Minnesota Viking assistant George O’Leary appear to have stalled, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and the reason may be that O’Leary is interested in possibly becoming coach at Syracuse, where he was once an assistant, should Paul Pasqualoni be fired.