SHS Director of Athletics Reilly Christie Announces Resignation to Accept AD Role at Malden Catholic
Christie to begin role at Malden Catholic July 13
Reilly Christie, educator and Director of Athletics at Salem High School for the last four years, will step down to accept the Director of Athletics role at Malden Catholic High School, effective Friday, July 10.
“After much thought, I have made the decision to step down from Salem to accept the Director of Athletics position at Malden Catholic,” Mr. Christie said. “I did not make this decision lightly, as Salem has become my home, and I have truly witnessed how special it is to be a Witch.
“Salem is so important to my family,” he added. “Thank you to my wife, Shannon (Salem High School Class of 2013), who is a Salem alumni, for introducing me to this wonderful community. Her family attended Salem High School as well, and I now understand why Salem means so much to them. The work that has been done by our coaches, teachers, staff, and students is exceptional, and I am incredibly grateful to have been part of the transformative growth and excellence Salem has experienced over the past five years.”
Under Mr. Christie’s leadership, SHS has enjoyed remarkable success, not the least of which an increase in high school athletics participation from 22 percent when he began as AD to 47 percent.
Additionally, SHS has crowned 12 individual state champions across boys and girls wrestling, boys swimming and unified track and field, along with the 2026 MIAA Division 3 Boys Basketball Championship in March.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to Reilly Christie for his exceptional service as Athletic Director,” said Salem Public Schools Interim Superintendent Kate Carbone. “Finishing his tenure on such a high note – with several state championship titles this year alone – is the perfect reflection of his dedication to Salem sports. Reilly has raised the bar for what our programs can achieve, and the championship culture he fostered will inspire our student-athletes for generations to come.”
In November, Salem Public Schools was named a Unified Champion School District by the Special Olympics Massachusetts less than four years after the launch of Unified Sports in 2022.
“While I am proud of those accomplishments, what I am most proud of is the commitment our students and coaches have shown to representing Salem,” Mr. Christie noted.
Other notable highlights include the 2024 baseball team which, seeded No. 24, stormed its way to the MIAA Tournament semifinal round; as well as the 2023 football team, which advanced to the Division 6 Super Bowl title game.
“I thank Reilly for the passion, leadership, and heart he has brought to Salem High School,” said SHS Principal Glenn Burns. “He believed deeply in our students, elevated our athletic programs, and proudly represented what it means to be a Witch. His impact extended far beyond wins and losses and will continue in the opportunities he helped create for countless student-athletes. While we are sad to see him leave the Witches, we know he will continue to make a difference at Malden Catholic. We thank Reilly for bringing his all everyday.”
Along with his work at SHS, Mr. Christie has been an active administrator within the MIAA, serving as the Football Tournament Director since 2024, as well as the District 5 State Wrestling Committee Representative from September 2023 to present.
Mr. Christie arrived at Salem in August of 2021 where he was a computer science educator and head boys lacrosse coach. He also held assistant coaching roles in football and wrestling. Prior, he was a quality control analyst and graduate assistant football coach at Southern Methodist University, from which he earned his master’s degree, from 2017-21.
He received dual undergraduate degrees from the University of Massachusetts in Business Administration and Finance and Sport Management in 2017.
Mr. Christie is native of Middletown, Del., and a graduate of Appoquinimink High School. He and his wife, Shannon, an Associate Director of Adaptive Fitness at the YMCA, live in Lynn, Mass.
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.
