Bombers great Dean Solomon puts 'money where his mouth is' in shock role change
Updated . First published at
Premiership-winning Bomber Dean Solomon has stepped down from the club's board and instead opted to become an assistant coach under Brad Scott.
Solomon has previously worked as an assistant at Fremantle, Gold Coast and GWS before moving into a board role at his former club.
Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes labelled the decision "slightly unusual" but likes the idea of the ex-Bomber stepping up when needed.
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James Hird and Dean Solomon during their coaching roles at GWS. Getty
"Clubs are looking at the assistant coaching depth, which I don't think there's a whole lot out there at the moment," Cornes told SEN.
"Now he's going to help out. He's been strong behind the scenes in trying to help rebuild the culture of Essendon and just quieten the noise from those outside and who are not involved anymore.
"It's such a frustration for those who are trying to run the footy club and there's all these people trying to get their noise into places they're not warranted.
"He's going to step up and put his money where his mouth is, and try to fix the club hands-on."
The 45-year-old was also the man who sent an email to hundreds of ex-Essendon players which called on them to end the bickering and back new president Andrew Welsh.
In a club statement, Welsh said the decision to fill the vacant position in the coaching staff was made by him, Scott, chief executive Craig Vozzo, and general manager Daniel McPherson.
"When it was first raised to me about Solly joining the coaching group, it made me consider what the best use for him at the club was," Welsh said.
"He has been invaluable to us on the board, but taking into account everyone's views, it was clear that it was an opportunity that we couldn't pass up, and that's when we first approached Solly about the role.
"Solly needed to take a lot into consideration, including relocating from NSW, but after careful thought, he embraced the opportunity, and we were rapt that he accepted this role as an assistant coach to get back into the trenches and help fast-track the development of the team.
"A process is already underway to fill Dean's vacant board position, with that person having a football background to ensure we still maintain football expertise at board level. We expect to make an announcement on the new director in the coming weeks."
Dean Solomon congratulates debutant Saad El-Hawli. AFL Photos via Getty Images
Scott revealed he has been trying to recruit Solomon to the role in the past and was "rapt" that it's finally happened.
Not everyone was as convinced by the decision, with Kangaroos great David King taking a sly dig on X.
"Only Essendon ... board to assistant coach," he wrote.
Solomon believes the time is right for him to transition back to coaching.
"A year ago, I made a decision to give back to our football club at a board level. After much consideration and discussion, it has become clear that my time is best spent in a coaching capacity," he said.
"I'm excited to work with and learn off Brad and the other coaches. I'm looking forward to rolling my sleeves up and building strong relationships with all staff and our players.
"I'm genuinely excited about the direction of our footy club."
