OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Nebraska football coach Frank Solich was fired Saturday night after winning more than 75 percent of his games over six seasons but failing to keep the Cornhuskers as the national powerhouse they were under Tom Osborne.

The Omaha World-Herald and the Lincoln Journal Star reported on their Web sites that athletic director Steve Pederson decided to fire Solich, who went 9-3 this season.

Solich’s daughter, Cindy Dalton, confirmed the firing to KMTV in Omaha.

Solich took over after Osborne retired after the 1997 season. The Cornhuskers won at least a share of the national title in three of Osborne’s final four seasons. Solich was 42-9 in his first four seasons. He was Big 12 coach of the year in 1999 and 2001.

, won the ’99 conference title and his team played for the national championship after the ’01 season.

But Solich’s success was downplayed because critics said he won with players recruited by Osborne.

The Cornhuskers went 7-7 in 2002 – the team’s worst season since 1961 – and struggled against quality opponents this season.

Their three losses all were by more than 17 points, capped by a 38-9 loss to Kansas State – Nebraska’s worst at home since 1958 – in the final home game of the season.

Solich’s record for his six seasons was 58-19.

The last Nebraska head football coach to be fired was Bill Jennings, who was removed and replaced by Bob Devaney in 1962.

AP-ES-11-29-03 2350EST