Santiago Salme joins the Men's Soccer Program at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University as an assistant coach in 2024. A native of Newark, NJ, Coach Salme brings 24 years of coaching experience, including eight at the collegiate level and sixteen in high school ranks, grassroots programs, and developmental academies. His coaching career includes positions with BW Gottschee, Red Bulls Academy, and currently, PDA Vistula in Garfield, NJ.
Coach Salme's collegiate experience included roles at Berkeley College and Rutgers University. He also has a robust playing history, having competed in the USL with the Waldwick Kickers and Kearny Scots, along with professional experience at Tampa Bay.
As a proud scholar-athlete at Rutgers University, Coach Salme holds multiple coaching licenses, including the US Soccer Coach Educator Instructor License and USSF A, B, and C licenses. He has also engaged with coaching development programs from prestigious clubs such as Arsenal and Real Madrid, and has contributed to the New Jersey Olympic Development Program.
Coach Salme’s philosophy emphasizes child-centered player development, focusing on the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of athletes. He is dedicated to fostering a growth mindset, ensuring players thrive both on and off the field. With a Master's degree in Athletic Administration and a deep commitment to diversity and inclusivity, Coach Salme is ready to elevate the program and engage meaningfully with the college community.
