Louisiana Ragin Cajuns head football coach Michael Desormeaux announced on Thursday that Jim Salgado, a coach with 30 years of experience at both the college and professional levels, has been named the program’s new defensive coordinator.
Salgado spent the 2023 season at Michigan State before having playcalling duties with the Washington Commanders to end the season.
Before that, he spent six seasons with the Buffalo Bills, working in multiple positions including assistant, nickelbacks coach, and safeties coach.
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Coach Jim Salgado to the #cULture,” Desormeaux said. “Coach Salgado comes to us after having great success at all levels of football. Jim has coordinated championship defenses at the collegiate level, and he has been an integral part of a hugely successful Buffalo Bills defense that was known for their aggressive style of play. We are thrilled to have Coach Salgado lead our defense, as we pursue a conference championship in 2024. Please help me in welcoming Coach Salgado, his wife Carolyn, their sons Jalyn and Lincoln, and their daughter Layla to Cajun Country!”
Salgado helped coach multiple Pro Bowlers while in Buffalo, including Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, and Tre’Davious White. The Buffalo defense finished top 10 in total defense in four of the six seasons, including first in 2021.
Prior to his time in the NFL, Salgado spent 23 seasons in the collegiate ranks, including seven with Princeton (2010-2016). From 2013-2016, he served as the Tigers’ defensive coordinator, winning two Ivy League titles in those four seasons.
In 2009, Salgado was the linebackers coach at Cornell after spending the previous four seasons as a defensive backs coach for Syracuse from 2005-2008. He also spent time with Northwestern, Hofstra, Millersville, Boston University, and Western Connecticut.
Salgado also had eight different NFL fellowships with the Texans, Browns, Panthers, and Giants.