OGDEN — Weber State's game against Northern Arizona on Saturday not only marks the beginning of Big Sky action for both teams, it also marks the return of a former assistant coach.
J.D. Sollars was Weber State's offensive coordinator from 1998 through 2004 before being fired. Thanks to a few favorable circumstances, the former Wildcat coach was hired to handle the same duties for NAU head coach Jerome Souers and the Lumberjacks. Sollars said the return to Stewart Stadium won't be anything special, just business.
"This weekend is a business trip. We'll be here to play football and make sure we're successful," Sollars said. "That's it."
The game is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 p.m. The 'Cats (1-2) have lost eight of their last 11 against NAU (2-1), including the last four and the last three in Ogden. Although Sollars is taking the tough-coach approach for Saturday's game, he did admit he's followed the Wildcats with interest since his departure. Coming off an 8-4 season in 2003, he said WSU was poised for much more than the resulting 1-10 record, the worst mark in school history. "Jerry (Graybeal) had just won coach of the year and had his contract renewed. We thought we had an opportunity to build something. Then we faced a tough schedule," Sollars said. "Unfortunately, they don't care who you play, only how many games you won."
Sollars says he doesn't resent being fired. He understands that's the nature of the coaching business. "There was nothing bad about it. But the worst is not being able to leave by choice," Sollars said. "Like it or not, coaching is a business based on success."
The last meeting between the schools took place in Flagstaff, Ari., on Sept. 25, 2004. Thanks to a 21-point breakout in the second quarter, the Lumberjacks destroyed the Wildcats, 55-27. NAU quarterback Jason Murrietta threw for 217 yards and three touchdowns.