After two consecutive seasons without a losing record, the Bobcats will hope to prove Mid-American Conference wrong.With the release of the MAC preseason poll, Ohio found itself looking up at five teams in the East Division, only ahead of Akron in the seven-team poll.
Bowling Green is predicted to finish first in the East with 206 points, including 17 first-place votes. The Falcons are closely followed by Miami, which garnered 202 points, with Buffalo, Kent State and Temple following the RedHawks, respectively. In the West Division, two-time MAC champion Central Michigan was at the top of the poll with 207 points, followed by Ball State, which tallied 168. Western Michigan was third with 143 points, with Toledo, Eastern Michigan and Northern Illinois rounding out the six-team West.
Ohio was represented Tuesday at the MAC Media Day in Detroit by tight end Andrew Mooney, defensive tackle Jameson Hartke and coach Frank Solich.
There's a lot of parity in the East this year
as well as a lot of talent Mooney said at the Media Day news conference. That gives us an opportunity to prove ourselves.
Ohio begins fall practice Monday with the first game Aug. 30 at Wyoming.
Solich contract
Details from Solich's contract show the Ohio football coach will receive a base compensation of $330,000; $30,000 for his services in connection with the Ohio Bobcat Sports Network; $10,000 for Ohio's shoe and apparel contracts; and $30,000 for his role as Associate Athletics Director for Special Projects.
Also included in his contract is the use of an automobile with gas provided by the university.
Bonus wise, Solich will receive $25,000 if the football team achieves a Top 25 ranking at the end of the season and $10,000 if he is named MAC Coach of the Year. Solich also will receive $5,000 for seven wins and another $5,000 both for eight and nine wins. A $10,000 bonus is given for 10 wins and again at both 11 and 12 wins.
The academic-related bonus from his previous contract has been eliminated.
If Solich leaves after the first year of his contract, he will be responsible for compensating the university $250,000, and if he leaves after his second season, he will be responsible for $150,000. If he leaves after the third season or later, he would not be required to repay any of his original contract.
If Solich completes five seasons as the football coach and is an employee of Ohio on Dec. 31, 2012, he will receive a retention bonus $275,000.
If Solich is terminated without cause, he will receive the percentage of the bonus based on the number of years he has spent under his contract. For example, if he were to be terminated following his third season, he would receive three-fifths ' or 60 percent ' of the retention bonus.
Sayles Out
Ohio forward Asown Sayles will have surgery on his shoulder, sidelining him indefinitely for the upcoming basketball season.
I've chosen to have surgery on my shoulder because it will allow me to perform at the top of my game and help the team to the best of my ability in the long run Sayles said in a release. I've been told that the recovery time is approximately six months
and I hope to be back in action during the conference season.
Former Bobcats sign
Former Ohio forward Leon Williams has reached an agreement to play with the Turkish professional team Pinar Karsiyaka. Williams becomes the 40th Ohio player to sign with a professional team overseas, joining former Ohio guard Bubba Walther, who recently signed a contract with the profession team ZZ Leiden of the Dutch Premiere League.
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