The Ohio University athletic department has confirmed that football coach Frank Solich has submitted a request to the Athens County Municipal Court to change his plea from no contest to not guilty in regards to his Nov. 26, 2005, DUI charge.

“We support coach Solich’s right to bring this matter before the court for determination,” associate athletic director Derek Scott said.

“It would not be appropriate for us to comment any further on this matter or the facts of the argument raised in this case while it is in litigation. Therefore we will not be issuing any further statements about this matter and will not submit to interviews about the case while the matter is pending.”

An article published yesterday by sportingnews.com states that the change came after a toxicology report of Solich’s hair tested positive for traces of GHB, which is known to be used as a “date-rape drug.”

The Sporting News article was published after it received a copy of a drug test performed by Toxicology Associates Inc. that indicated a hair sample was collected from Solich on Jan. 5, 40 days after the incident.

Common effects of GHB include intoxication, loss of inhibition, muscle relaxation, loss of coordination and difficulty concentrating, according to www.projectghb.org. The Web site also describes GHB as a clear liquid having a water-like appearance.

The police report taken from the night of the arrest states Solich was slumped over the wheel of his vehicle and parked in the opposite direction of a one-way street. Solich displayed signs of intoxication, but refused to take a breathalyzer test.

Following his arrest, Solich entered a no contest plea and was sentenced to 30 days in jail — though that was later changed to two years of probation — and a $600 fine.

The Sporting News report also states that the judge, Athens County Municipal Court judge William Grim, is the only individual who can allow Solich to change his plea. If Solich’s plea is officially changed, the case would go to trial.