Giants to hire Mike Solari as O-line coach, says source; Mike Singletary interviews for LB coach
In this handout image provided by the NFL, Mike Solari, then of the San Francisco 49ers, poses for his NFL headshot circa 2011 in San Francisco, California. Credit: Getty Images / Handout
Ben McAdoo looked to add some Canton clout to his staff on Thursday.
He interviewed Hall of Famer Mike Singletary for the Giants’ open linebackers coach job and added a well-respected offensive line coach who has helped shape a number of Hall of Fame careers.
Mike Solari, most recently the assistant offensive line coach with the Packers, is expected to be the team’s new offensive line coach, according to a source. Solari, 61, has coached Walter Jones, Willie Roaf and Will Shields, all of whom are Hall of Famers, as well as Nate Newton, Harris Barton and Joe Staley. He replaces Pat Flaherty, who had been with the Giants in that position since 2004.
Solari will inherit a good young core of linemen that includes two first-round picks in left tackle Ereck Flowers and guard Justin Pugh along with a second-round pick, center Wes ton Richburg.
There was no offer made to Singletary on Thursday, but his name alone adds impact to a position that has long been neglected by the Giants. They have not had a Pro Bowl linebacker since Antonio Pierce in 2006.
In 2015, the Giants had to rely on backups Jonathan Casillas, Mark Herzlich, Jasper Brinkley and Uani ’Unga to fill starting roles. The Giants have not selected a linebacker in the first round of the draft since taking Carl Banks in 1984.
Singletary was a 10-time Pro Bowler during his career with the Bears. He was head coach of the 49ers from 2009-10 and was last with the Vikings as their linebackers coach from 2011-13.
Singletary and McAdoo were on the same 49ers staff in 2005.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
