It’s been a long time coming but Tom Osborne hopes Frank Solich is finally ready to make a return to Nebraska.

Solich was recently named the latest recipient of the Osborne Award, which honors lifetime service to college football. The presentation of the award is annually held in Omaha. According to Osborne, he believes the time is now right for Solich to finally return to his old stomping grounds.

“I’d really like to see it happen,” Osborne said according to Tom Shatel of the Omaha World-Herald. “And he certainly didn’t say no. It could be a really good thing to do. I think it would be a great time to do it.”

Solich replaced Osborne as Nebraska’s head coach but was eventually fired from his position in 2003. He had a 58-19 overall record with Nebraska and won a Big 12 conference title.

Now with Scott Frost leading the program, he’s been an advocate for unity and supporting Solich, Osborne hopes that will be enough to get his successor to make a return to Nebraska.

“I don’t think bitter is the right word,” Osborne said. “I think he was hurt by it. He played here, coached here as an assistant for 19 years. He was very loyal to Nebraska. He cared about this place. It hurt him. As time has gone on, he’s talked about Nebraska. He’s interested in how (Frost) is going to do next year.”