Texas A&M-Kingsville has named recent Texas high school football coach Mike Salinas as the 12th head coach in program history on Friday, pending approval of the board. 

“Mike is a proven winner at every level where he has played and coach,” TAMUK athletic director Steve Roach said. “He brings a wide array of experiences, including a great understanding and knowledge of the state of Texas.” 

Salinas is a TAMUK alum and former letterwinner who helped lead the Javelinas to three Lone Star Conference championships and a pair of NCAA semifinals. He started his coaching career at Kingsville with a three-year stint as secondary coach. 

After stops at West Texas A&M as defensive coordinator and Sam houston State as special teams coordinator and secondary coach, Salinas moved to the Texas high school ranks. He coached at Harlingen South, helped create the program at Edinburg Vela and led Weslaco to a 11-2 record in 2018. 

Salinas resigned from Weslaco in January to go into private business. However, TAMUK lured him out of retirement to take the head coaching job at his alma mater. 

“His knowledge of our history and how winning programs should perform on and off the field will change the culture of Kingsville,” said former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Roberto Garza, a member of the Javelina Hall of Fame. 

A&M-Kingsville fired head coach Daren WIlkinson after a disappointing 2-9 season. The Javelinas went just 21-35 during Wilkinson’s five seasons, including 10-23 over the final three. 

Texas A&M-Kingsville has 27 Lone Star Conference titles, but has not won a conference crown since 2009.