Jan. 9, 2008

ANAHEIM, CALIF. -- Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Lou Tepper and Ohio University's Frank Solich have been elected to the Board of Trustees of the American Football Coaches Association. The two were elected by members attending the 2008 AFCA Convention in Anaheim, California.

They join a group of distinguished head coaches who guide the organization. The Board formulates policy and provides direction for the AFCA, which was founded in 1922 by Amos Alonzo Stagg, John Heisman and others. The AFCA has more than 10,000 members from all levels of the profession.

Returning members of the AFCA Board of Trustees include incoming president Tyrone Willingham of the University of Washington; first vice-president Dick Tomey of San Jose State University; second vice-president  Larry Kehres of Mount Union College and third vice-president Rob Ash of Montana State University.

Also serving on the Board in 2008: Mike Bellotti, University of Oregon; Tim Murphy, Harvard University; Joe Glenn, University of Wyoming; Tommy Tuberville, Auburn University; Rich Rodriguez, University of Michigan; Mike Welch, Ithaca College; Jim Tressel, Ohio State University; Mack Brown, University of Texas; Lee Owens, Ashland University; Jim Grobe, Wake Forest University; Bill Cronin, Georgetown College (Ky.) and Rob Ianello, University of Notre Dame, ex officio member and chairman of the Assistant Coaches Committee.

"This is truly an honor to be chosen to the AFCA Board of Trustees," Tepper said. "I came to my first convention in 1968, riding in the back of station wagon. I strolled through the hallways and interviewed with a lot of coaches, and received my first coaching job at the convention. I believe in the values of the AFCA and I look forward to serving on the Board of Trustees and serving the membership of the AFCA."

Tepper completed his second season as the head coach at Indiana (Pa.), guiding the Crimson Hawks to a 9-3 overall record and a trip to NCAA Division II playoffs for the first time in five seasons in 2007. In his first season at the school, Tepper led Indiana (Pa.) to an 8-2 mark and a share of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West Division title. He has 17-5 record at Indiana (Pa.) and an overall mark of 82-62-2 with the Riverhawks, Edinboro University and the University of Illinois.

Tepper was the head coach at Edinboro from 2000 to 2005, and in that time he led the Fighting Scots to a 40-26 record, three co-PSAC West Division titles (2003-2005) and two appearances in the Division II playoffs. Prior to his stint at Edinboro, Tepper was the head coach at Illinois from 1991 to 1996, guiding the Illini to the Holiday Bowl in 1992 and the Liberty Bowl in 1994.

"This is such an honor," Solich said. "I have known Grant Teaff for a long time and gladly accept this nomination. To have the opportunity to serve my fellow coaches in this profession will truly be one that I treasure."

Solich has spent the last three years resurrecting the Ohio University program. In just his second season, he guided the Bobcats to the Mid-American Conference East Division title, the school's first MAC title of any kind since 1968. Ohio also participated in the GMAC Bowl, another first since that 1968 season. Solich has guided the Bobcats to 19 wins in three years, coached 17 All-MAC players and one All-American. He arrived in Athens after six seasons as the head coach at the University of Nebraska.

Solich spent nearly 30 years as part of the Nebraska program as a player, assistant coach and head coach. A Big 12 Coach of the Year in 1999 and 2001, Solich produced nine-win seasons in five of his six years as head coach of the Huskers and generated six consecutive bowl appearances including a 2001 run at the national championship against Miami in the Rose Bowl. A three-time conference Coach of the Year, Solich was named AFCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2001. He has an overall record of 77-37 in nine years as a head coach.

The AFCA was founded in 1922 and currently has more than 10,000 members around the world, ranging from the high school level to the professional ranks. According to its constitution, the AFCA was formed, in part, to "maintain the highest possible standards in football and the coaching profession" and to "provide a forum for the discussion and study of all matters pertaining to football and coaching."

For more information on the AFCA and its programs log on to the AFCA's website at www.afca.com.