Dean Solomon is heading back to the Gold Coast Suns, rejoining the club where he spent 10 years as an assistant after his caretaker stint at Essendon.
The Suns confirmed on Monday that their foundation assistant coach will return ahead of the 2027 AFL season and join senior coach Damien Hardwick’s coaching panel.
Solomon was a Suns assistant from 2011 to 2020, joining the club’s inaugural coaching group under Guy McKenna after a 209-game playing career with Fremantle and Essendon.
Homecoming for Solomon
Solomon said the move gave him the chance to coach at the top level while living with his family again.
“The opportunity to return to the Gold Coast SUNS to work alongside and learn from Damien Hardwick and an experienced group of coaches is one I’m really excited by,” Solomon said.
Read more: AFL: Essendon Coaching Search: Has Dean Solomon Done Enough to Earn a Shot at the Bombers’ Top Job?
“The potential of the list that has been assembled is incredibly inviting and I see it as an exciting time to be part of the SUNS.
“The Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales has been home for my family and I for over 16 years now, so to be able to be with my wife and kids again and still coach at the highest level at a club where I’ve previously spent 10 years, is something I’m very grateful for.”
Gold Coast general manager of football Craig Cameron welcomed Solomon back and pointed to his history with the club.
“Dean played a significant role across our club’s first decade in the competition, and his expertise and industry experience will be instrumental in helping us take steps forward in the years ahead.”
Cameron added that the club would confirm the finer details of its 2027 coaching panel structure in the coming weeks.
From Essendon caretaker to Suns assistant
Solomon started 2026 as an assistant to Brad Scott at Essendon and took over as caretaker senior coach when Scott left mid-season. The Age reported he won just one of his 12 games in charge.
Read more: Essendon Poaches Daniel Pratt From Western Bulldogs
The Bombers went on to appoint Mark McVeigh, Solomon’s former teammate, as senior coach for 2027. According to The Age, Essendon announced last month that Solomon had declined another role in its football department and would return to live in New South Wales with his family.
It is not his first caretaker job. Solomon coached the Suns for the final three games of 2017 after Rodney Eade’s departure, before staying on as an assistant until the end of 2020.
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