LEWISBURG (WVN) – Greenbrier East linebackers/running backs coach Davis Solak is a jack-of-all-trades.
Not only does he spend many afternoons and most Friday nights at a football stadium, he is also a health teacher for the school. On top of that, he is the assistant wrestling coach as well, and to say that Solak’s plate is usually pretty full would be a big understatement.
Solak played for the Spartans for four years and graduated in 2013. He accepted a wrestling scholarship from Alderson Broaddus University and became a team captain as a sophomore and a started his four years there. He also won two tournaments and placed in many others.
So, leadership has always been a strength for the multi-sport coach, and where he developed that leadership is what makes Solak thankful.
“Watching my dad (Mark Solak) coach me throughout little league helped me want to get into coaching. Plus, the coaches I had growing up with Coach Miluk, Lee, Baker, and Erskine, they helped me in ways I cannot describe. It made me want to give back to the community and our young men in Greenbrier County,” Solak said.
Playing and coaching multiple sports can help contribute to each sport equally well and with his wrestling background, Solak uses what he knows on the mat and translates it to the turf.
“My wrestling background helps with a ton of things like tackling technique, work ethic, and grittiness,” Solak said.
“A lot of people do not know this, but many great football players were also wrestlers. Roddy White and Ray Lewis being two notable examples. But also when I played in high school my coaches did a good job showing me techniques and teaching football terminology so it’s easy to teach the same things now as a coach,” he added.
A lot of those traits in coaching come easier when working with running back Ian Cline, an all-state runner in the backfield, and Solak loves that he gets to help him along the way.
“Ian is a great player on and off the field. He tends to make good decisions in the classroom too. But his talent and work ethic are what makes him great. I cannot wait to see what the future has in store for him. I believe if he keeps working as hard as he does the sky is the limit,” Solak stated.
Having relationships with players like Cline and the rest of the roster are important, and with Solak still on the younger side of things, his style can mesh with players of today.
“I would say my coaching style is very hands on. I tend to like to model techniques for players and try to describe it the best way for them to understand,” he explained.
With the season approaching fast, Solak knows what his goals are for not just this upcoming year, but beyond that as well.
“My goals for this season do not involve wins and losses. I want to help develop these boys into young men and future members of society,” he said.
Coach Solak’s Favorites:
Food- anything without onions
Movie/TV show- I tend to not watch a ton of tv. I stay outdoors playing golf, hunting, and working on my family’s farm and business. But sometimes I will watch any kind of sports which include baseball, NASCAR, football and golf.
Message to fans- Thank you for your continued support for Greenbrier East Athletics.
Solak also thanks his wife, Sierra, and family for their continued support as well.
