​SACHS brings in new athletic leadership including former NFL player

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Catholic News Agency

St. Anthony Catholic High School hires new head football coach; elevates interim athletic director

St. Anthony Catholic High School (SACHS) has announced that former NFL player and UTSA star Ashaad Mabry has been hired as the new Yellow Jackets head football coach. In addition, Interim Athletic Director Michael Salas has been elevated to the permanent athletic director position. Coach Mabry and Athletic Director Salas were introduced to SACHS students, parents and staff on May 17 at Lang Field on the SACHS campus.

Ashaad Mabry comes to SACHS from MacArthur High School where he was teaching health and coaching football and track. Mabry was a star athlete and team captain for the University of Texas-San Antonio football team where he received a degree in Multi-Disciplinary Studies. Mabry then played in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers.

“I was drawn to this job because I love the fact that we get to rebuild a program and take it to a new level I know the program is capable of,” says Mabry. “My message to the students and parents is that I am here to lead, build and help groom these young men to be the best athletes, students and overall men that they can be. Bear with me, the change I want for this program will not happen overnight but soon enough our team will be headed in the right direction.”

“Through great collaboration and partnership with UIW Athletics, we were able to do an extensive search for the head football coach,” says Dr. Kristina Vidaurri, SACHS principal. “We are excited to have Coach Mabry join the Yellow Jacket Family. He brings extensive experience from every level and showed much enthusiasm for the Yellow Jackets.”

SACHS has also announced that Michael Salas has been elevated to the position of athletic director. Salas has been the head baseball coach at SACHS for the past two years and will continue in that role as well as acting as an assistant football coach. He has served as the interim athletic director since January of 2021.

“As the athletic director, I will commit to providing the best opportunity for all student-athletes to succeed not just in sports, but in society,” says Salas. “I will ensure that the growth and productivity of each athlete is a top priority. It is important for me that all student-athletes understand that their academic progress holds just as much value as their athletic progress, if not more.”

“We look forward to enhancing our athletic program under the leadership of Coach Salas,” says Vidaurri. “He has over 20 years of coaching experience and just finished his master’s degree in educational leadership which will contribute greatly to the athletic vision ahead. Coach Salas demonstrated much leadership as a classroom teacher and head baseball coach. This past year, we had over 30 students on the baseball team which says a lot about the respect he has from our students. Coach Salas will be a great asset to the Yellow Jacket community.”

St. Anthony Catholic High School competes in the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS).

“We look forward to seeing our students succeed on the field and in the classroom with our new athletic director and new head football coach,” says Vidaurri.