Packers lose assistant Mike Solari to Giants
The New York Giants introduced former Green Bay Packers assistant coach Mike Solari as their new offensive line coach on Tuesday.
Solari, 61, served as the assistant offensive line coach to James Campen last season. A well-respected NFL coaching veteran, Solari reportedly turned down higher profile jobs in the NFL to reunite with Packers coach Mike McCarthy last February. The two previously worked together on Marty Schottenheimer’s staff in Kansas City from 1997-98.
Based on his experience, Solari was overqualified for the job after long stints as an offensive line coach in Kansas City (1997-2005) and San Francisco (2010-2014). He also served as the Chiefs' offensive coordinator in 2006 and 2007, and reportedly was in the mix for the same job on Hue Jackson's new staff in Cleveland.
Solari brought a lot of knowledge to Green Bay and helped stem the tide when Campen was away from the team for two weeks last summer for personal reasons. Solari, who wrapped up his responsibilities with the Packers at the Pro Bowl, split the season coaching from the sidelines and coaches’ box.
It’s the only former Packers assistant that new Giants coach Ben McAdoo plucked for his 20-man staff. McAdoo was a member of McCarthy’s staff in Green Bay for seven seasons before being hired as the Giants’ offensive coordinator in 2013.
McCarthy has blocked assistants under contract from interviewing for coordinator and assistant jobs elsewhere in the NFL, but Solari likely only agreed to only a one-year deal when he came to Green Bay. His departure means the Packers will have a new assistant offensive line coach for the fourth consecutive year.
The Packers have yet to announce their coaching staff for next season, but coaching administrator David Raih is the most likely candidate to replace Solari as assistant offensive line coach. Raih, 35, has worked extensively with the offensive line since he was hired in February 2014 in addition to his other duties.
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