No fears over appointing Solomon
GOLD Coast CEO Mark Evans has been so inspired by the start Chris Fagan has made at the Lions he has no fears of bringing in an untried coach to replace Rodney Eade.
Gold Coast assistant Dean Solomon has rejected an approach from GWS to join their coaching ranks and will coach the Suns in Saturday’s QClash and for the remainder of the season. He will be a candidate to replace Eade full-time when the selection process begins at the season’s end.
Anther potential candidate is Carlton assistant John Barker, who Evans endorsed alongside Fagan as a preferred candidate to Brisbane last year, and is widely considered the front-runner. Evans insists he has yet to draw up a shortlist or approach candidates, but was willing to reveal the characteristics he was looking for to be the Suns’ third senior coach.
“I don’t think we should narrow down a particular category of coach as to whether they have previously been a senior coach or not,’’ he said.
“For me a good senior coach has footy smarts, builds unity in the way they lead staff and players and has strong suits in empathy, genuine investment and drive for continuous improvement.’’
Evans has been tight-lipped about Solomon’s chances, but stressed his connection and fierce loyalty to players was a strength recognised by everyone within the organisation.