PRINCETON RECRUITING AREAS — Georgia; North Carolina; South Carolina; Florida, South (Area Code – 239, 305, 321, 407, 561, 727, 754, 772, 786, 813, 863, 941, 954); New Jersey, Central (County – Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset); New York (Area Code – 212, 347, 516, 631, 646, 718, 845, 914, 917)

Jim Salgado, who had spent five years coaching in Central New York, including four seasons with the Syracuse Orange, is in his third season as the special teams coordinator at Princeton. Salgado also coaches the Princeton defensive backs.

“Jimmy is a coach whose career I have followed very closely for the last 15 years,” head coach Bob Surace '90 said. “I followed him to Western Connecticut and observed him coaching at both Northeastern and Hofstra, and I also observed him coaching at Syracuse. Having been able to know him personally over that time, I know what tremendous character he has, and he will be a valuable member of our staff.”

Under Salgado's leadership, Princeton saw a strong improvement in its special teams. Ivan Charbonneau recorded Princeton's first kickoff return for a touchdown against eventual NCAA tournament qualifier Lehigh, while the Tigers ranked in the Top 3 in the Ivy League in both punting and punt return average. Both placekicker Patrick Jacob and punter Joe Cloud earned All-Ivy honors, and Cloud will return for the 2012 season.

Salgado gained experience in the Ivy League during the 2009 season when he coached linebackers at Cornell. He coached Chris Costello, one of the top tacklers in the nation and a first-team All-Ivy selection.

"The opportunity to coach at Princeton University is very special," Salgado said. "Princeton is one of the finest learning institutions in the world. It also has a great history and tradition in football. I look forward to coaching the young men at Princeton and working for an Ivy League Championship. I am very excited to work with Bob and the rest of the coaching staff. I have known Bob since I started coaching and have great respect for what he has accomplished in our profession. He is a great fit for Princeton. "

During his time at Princeton, Salgado has also gained experience by working three NFL internships. He worked with the Houston Texans (2010), the Cleveland Browns (2011) and the Carolina Panthers (2012).

While coaching at Syracuse, Salgado assisted in the development of NFL players Steve Gregory (San Diego Chargers), Tanard Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), Anthony Smith (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Joe Fields (Carolina Panthers). The 2006 team ranked in the top 25 nationally in turnover margin (ninth, 0.92), interceptions (15th, 17) and turnovers gained (22nd, 28). The Orange defense had 48 total interceptions in his four seasons.

Salgado served four NFL Fellowships, spending summers with the Miami Dolphins (1999), San Diego Chargers (2002), Philadelphia Eagles (2003) and St. Louis Rams (2009); he worked with the linebackers during his time with the Rams. He also participated in the NCAA's Advanced Coaching Program and Expert Coaching Program in 2004, as well as the Minority Coaches Forum in 2008.

Salgado joined the Syracuse staff in 2005 after stints as an assistant coach at Northeastern (2000-01 and 2004), Hofstra (1994, 2002-03), Millersville (1997-99) Boston University (1996-97) and Western Connecticut (1994-95). During his time on the sidelines, Salgado mentored corners, linebackers and directed special teams. At Hofstra, he was part of a defensive staff that guided the Atlantic 10-leading pass defense in both 2002 (161.9 ypg.) and 2003 (131.1 ypg.), both of which ranked in the top 20 nationally (13th and ninth, respectively). His 1998 Millersville team won a conference title, while the 1999 squad made it to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals. He began his career in the high school ranks at Long Island Lutheran, coaching both the quarterbacks and defensive backs.

A 1993 graduate of Hofstra with a degree in psychology, Salgado was a three-year starter at corner. The Pride advanced to the 1990 NCAA Division III semifinals.

Salgado and his wife, Carolyn, have three children, Jalen, Laila and Lincoln.