Don Soltis was Avon Lake’s fifth football coach in the school’s history, beginning in 1978 and concluding with the 1985 season. During his tenure he recorded 54 victories, 26 defeats and 2 ties for a .657 win percentage. In eight years Soltis-coached teams won three conference titles and made two state play-off appearances. His 1985-86 team of 10-2 was a regional semifinalist, a  squad that advanced the furthest of any in the school’s O.H.S.A.A. play-off history; the ten wins were the most by an Avon Lake team. In 1981-82 and 1982-83 his regular season teams were 9-1. He was Coach of the Year three times. As JV coach from 1968 to 1973 his teams were undefeated in 1968, 1971 and 1972 and had an overall record of 43-7-3.

Don also coached the high school baseball team for a brief stint, and won the first SWC regular spring season championship in the school’s history in 1972.

Soltis graduated from Hiram College where he was a two-time all-conference defensive tackle.