LINCOLN, NEB. ? It’s no secret lately that some Cornhusker fans would like to see changes in the Nebraska football coaching staff.

The team’s 24-21 loss Saturday to Oklahoma State the first to the Cowboys since 1961 and the fifth straight road loss for the Huskers going back to last season have fans wondering if changes are needed.

What many not know is any move would come with a price.

Terminating Solich’s contract this season would cost the university more than $1.1 million, according to an Associated Press review of NU’s coaching contracts.

The university also would be forced to give his nine assistant coaches up to a combined $1.9 million in severance pay if Solich’s successor were to replace them with a new staff.

The assistant coaches’ contracts do not directly address what kind of compensation, if any, would be provided if fired by Solich, NU Athletic Director Bill Byrne or someone other than a new head coach.

Solich’s contract specifically gives him the authority to hire or fire any assistant coach or other employee under his supervision.

Solich’s latest contract was signed in September 2001 and is good until June 30, 2006. To terminate the contract without penalty, the university must give Solich written notice at least two years in advance.

If the contract is terminated without proper notice or for any reason other than a violation of the university’s code of conduct, Solich would receive a lump payment equal to his monthly salary of $26,771 multiplied by the number of months left in his contract. That means if the university wanted to terminate Solich’s contract on Dec. 1, it would have to pay him $1,151,188 for the remaining 43 months in his contract.

Solich makes more than $1.1 million per year from various compensation packages. That also does not include his benefits, such as two vehicles provided to him and his wife for personal use, a country club membership, and free travel for his wife to away games and coaching conferences.