Solem played end at the University of Minnesota for Henry L. Williams from 1910 to 1912. He then began his coaching career, coaching for a pre-NFL professional football franchise called the Minneapolis Marines. He coached there for three years from 1913 to 1915 before coaching a few years of high school football at East Des Moines High School and South High School of Minneapolis.
Solem played end at the University of Minnesota for Henry L. Williams from 1910 to 1912. He then began his coaching career, coaching for a pre-NFL professional football franchise called the Minneapolis Marines. He coached there for three years from 1913 to 1915 before coaching a few years of high school football at East Des Moines High School and South High School of Minneapolis. Solem began his college coaching career at Luther College in 1920. After one year there, he was named head coach and athletic director at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa in 1921. Solem served as Drake's head football coach and athletic director for 11 years from 1921 to 1931. From 1926–1931, he also served as the director of the Drake Relays.
