The 2024 season will be the second for Michael Salerno as the wide receivers coach at Illinois College, and his first as the special teams coordinator and pass game coordinator. 

During his initial year at Illinois College, Salerno was a part of the top-ranked passing offense (384 ypg) and second-ranked total offense in Division III (559 ypg). He helped guide the Blueboys to the program’s first Midwest Conference championship. He coached All-American wide receiver Collin Brunstein who broke the NCAA records for single-season receiving yards (2200) and single-season receiving touchdowns (31), along with multiple other conference accolades. 

Salerno originally walked on as a safety for the Mustangs in the fall of 2017 and eventually earned a scholarship in the fall of 2019. While playing for SMU, Salerno earned American Athletic Conference All-Academic Team honors for the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons.

Originally from Valencia, California, Salerno graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in finance and Sports Management.