Mike Solari
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Mike Solari was the offensive coordinator for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs from 2006-2007. He previously had served as the team's offensive line coach from 1997-2005. Solari got his start as an offensive lineman at San Diego State University from 1972-1975. After SDSU, Mike coached at the high school level at Carlsbad Ca. and as a wrestling and assistant track coach at Orange Glen High School in 1978-1979. He then went to United States International University (USIU) as an assistant football coach. Mike Solari spent time at Boise State, Alabama and Pitt as assistant football coach. He was with the Dallas Cowboys as special teams coach and with the San Francisco 49'ers as O-Line coach. He held that position at Kansas City for many years tutoring some of the best lineman in the NFL. Upon the resignation of Dick Vermeil and the signing of incumbent OC Al Saunders by Washington, Solari was promoted to Offensive Coordinator. In his first season, the Chiefs were beset by a notable slowdown in offensive capability, though thanks to a team that could now be considered semi-balanced, the Chiefs, at 9-7, took the back door into the playoffs. Once there, they were promptly dispatched by the champion Indianapolis Colts in a 22-6 debacle. It was said by many fans that each play in the Chiefs' first half was known before the ball was even snapped. The 2007 season marked what would be Solari's final in Kansas City. Running a patchwork offense behind a geriatric or injured offensive line, the Chiefs' offense routinely failed to move the ball or score sufficient points to keep the Chiefs in many games. Chiefs' quarterbacks rarely had sufficient time to throw the ball, and the running game could never materialize, due to opposing defenses' disrespect for the Chief's inept passing game. Solari was replaced by former Georgia Tech head coach and long-time NFL coach Chan Gailey.
Solari is now the offensive line coach for the Seattle Seahawks.
Preceded by Al Saunders |
Kansas City Chiefs Offensive Coordinators 2006-2007 |
Succeeded by Chan Gailey |