Salem High School Tabs Michael Daly as Athletic Director
Mr. Daly to begin new role Sept. 17
SALEM (Sept. 4, 2026) – Michael Daly, a native of Boston, was named the Athletic Director at Salem High School, SHS Principal Glenn Burns announced Friday afternoon.
Mr. Daly replaces former Athletic Director Reilly Christie, who served four years at SHS before accepting the director of athletics role at Malden Catholic High School in July. Mr. Daly will begin his role Thursday, Sept. 17.
“I am pleased to introduce Michael Daly as the new Athletic Director for Salem High School,” said Mr. Burns. “Michael brings a remarkable record of educational leadership, athletic administration, coaching, program development, and student-centered service. We are excited to welcome him to the Salem Witches family and to the broader Salem Public Schools community.
“Michael’s career reflects a deep belief in the power of athletics to develop character, connection, resilience, and leadership,” Mr. Burns added. “His accomplishments include two NCAA Division II national championships as the head women’s lacrosse coach at Stonehill College, extensive experience at University of New Hampshire, Merrimack College, Saint Anselm College, and induction into both the Stonehill College Athletics Hall of Fame and the Northeast-10 Conference Hall of Fame.
“Most importantly, Michael shares our commitment to creating exceptional experiences for every student-athlete,” Mr. Burns noted. “I am confident that his vision, energy, and collaborative leadership will strengthen our programs and honor Salem’s proud athletic tradition.”
Mr. Daly comes to Salem following seven years as Director of Athletics and Co-Curricular Director at Deering High School in Portland, Maine. He brings more than a decade of experience in secondary-school athletic administration and educational leadership, along with 20 years in collegiate athletics administration and coaching at the NCAA Division I and II levels.
Throughout his career, Mr. Daly has expanded opportunities for students, strengthened coaching programs, improved athletic facilities, and supported inclusive participation. At Deering, his leadership helped add new sports and co-curricular programs, build successful cooperative teams, increase student involvement, and create pathways for students to belong, lead, and thrive.
“I am honored and thrilled to join Salem High School, Salem Public Schools, and the Witches Athletics family as Athletic Director,” Mr. Daly said. “From my first conversations with Salem students, staff, coaches, and alumni – and from meeting community members at Bertram Field – I immediately felt Salem’s special sense of community, strong athletic tradition, and deep pride in Witch City sports. I knew that I belonged here.
“Having spent many years visiting Salem, running races through the Willows and Salem Common, and exploring the rich heritage and traditions of this diverse city, I am beyond excited to join this remarkable community, lead the Witches athletic programs, and make history together,” he added.
“I look forward to partnering with student-athletes, coaches, families, faculty, staff, and Principal Burns’ leadership team to create exceptional athletic and life experiences through sports at Salem High School, Collins Middle School, and throughout the NEC. As Athletic Director, I am committed to strengthening a sense of belonging for all, expanding meaningful opportunities for Salem students both in school and beyond the playing fields, and developing the student and community leaders of tomorrow.”
Mr. Daly served as the assistant athletic director/head women’s lacrosse coach at Stonehill College from 1998-2007 where he won NCAA Division II championships in 2003 and 2005. In 10 seasons, he guided his teams to an 83-2 record in the Northeast-10 Conference, which included NE-10 Tournament championships from 2000-07. He moved on to his alma mater, the University of New Hampshire, from 2007-11, and highlighted with a 2008 NCAA Tournament appearance and a No. 13 national ranking that year.
From 2013-16, served as the assistant athletic director and head women’s lacrosse coach at Merrimack College, and has since held collegiate and club coaching roles while serving as an educational consultant and recruiting advisor.
Mr. Daly is a 1990 graduate of UNH where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication and Business Administration. He moved on to receive his master’s degree from Northeastern in 1996.
More recently, Mr. Daly received his Registered Middle School Athletic Administrator certification from the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) in 2023 and his Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA) from the NIAAA in 2024.
About Salem Public Schools
Salem Public Schools is an urban public school district in Salem, Massachusetts, a small, diverse city with a proud maritime and immigrant history. Our leaders and our teachers are passionate about education and understand the urgency of improving student achievement with equity and social-emotional needs as the lens through which we view our work. We respect and value the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity of our students and their families, and have a strong commitment to the Salem community. Salem Public Schools staff unconditionally serves each of our 4,000 students across 11 schools regardless of ability or language.
