Salcido adjusts quickly to new role

Former assistant is new PU softball coach

By: Justin Feil
   Trina Salcido’s first days as head coach of the Princeton University softball team were a lot like her days as assistant coach for the Tigers.
   "They’ve been great," said Salcido, who was named Maureen Barron’s successor last week. "I haven’t had the opportunity to let it sink in yet. There was a big tournament in New Jersey. I was able to cover it. I got stuff ready for our camp then. Now I’m in California. I used to do all the West Coast recruiting. Now I’m trying to do double duty.
   "I’m getting a few hours of a sleep a day. But it’s been a great week getting everything going. Maureen has been great in offering help. She’s still around. It’s been hectic, but exciting."
   Barron will follow her husband, Richard, to Baylor University where he becomes associate women’s basketball coach. She leaves after seven years with the Tigers, during which time one of her moves was to hire Salcido.
   "The way Maureen ran the program, from Day One when she brought me in, she ran it like we were partners, as equals," Salcido said. "She did her thing with pitching. I did hitting and fielding.
   "The way we handled athletes was the same way. There was no, I’m the bad one and she’s the good one. We each handled athletes the same. She’s a good person and a kind soul. I’m more high-energy, aggressive, more intense. So we learned from each other and took things from each other."
   She continued: "I feel like the respect we have from the players was hard earned. I feel like we were respected on the same level. It’s helped. There’s not a huge transition period. The recruits are really happy. The program is moving forward."
   After three seasons as assistant coach, during which time Princeton won two Ivy League Championships, Salcido has stepped into the head coaching position. It’s a move she was ready for, even if she didn’t expect it to come with the Orange and Black.
   "Every head coach’s goal is to get their assistants ready," Salcido said. "I just never considered Princeton as an option. Richard and Maureen were so happy. They’ve run their programs like a family, laying down the roots. And with Mo being an alum, she could have stayed here forever.
   "It’s a great opportunity for me," she added. "One thing about Gary Walters, he’s amazing. He’s known for hiring young coaches and giving them chances. But they do love their alumni and Ivy Leaguers. It’s huge for them to hire me. It shows they support me and I think I understand their experience."
   Salcido is an University of Oregon graduate, who started all four years at third base for the Ducks and was elected a member of the Oregon Female All-Decade Team. She never got away from softball, as she coached at Sacramento City College, then with the National Pro Fast Pitch All-Star Tour Team before going to El Camino High School. At El Camino, she led the girls’ varsity team to three straight league championships and the 2003 San Juaquin section championship. Such a rich and varied background makes her a solid fit as Princeton’s new head coach.
   "I worked to cover all levels," Salcido said. "I coached junior college level, pro level and then at the high school level. That’s where I learned to fine tune my coaching. You learn how to get (players) to their potential. I’ve worked at all levels and that helps. A lot of times we get A players and that’s nice, but we also get B players we have to develop."
   Salcido is working on bringing in those players she can develop as she continues on the recruiting trail. With each place she visits, she brings a new title as head coach of the Tiger program.
   "My desire to coach in college came with the realization I love working with high school-aged and college-aged women," she said. "Ideally, you’re going to win, but that’s not the only reason I’m in it. I feel honored to have the opportunity to work with these kids. My experience in college was phenomenal. You want that for every athlete, and I know it doesn’t happen for everyone. I want to have a hand in helping (change) that. I want to make kids’ college experience the best it can be. I wanted to give that to the youngest athletes."
   She is hoping that winning does follow hand in hand with the positive experiences of her Princeton players. She knows the expectations set by Barron and isn’t backing off the Ivy title hopes.
   "Maureen did a great job," Salcido said. "She built a foundation to grow on in the same way. When you come from winning and if you’re a part of it, it’s something that doesn’t threaten you or you worry about. When you do the right things that we do at Princeton, we should still win."
   Doing more of the same follows in line with what Salcido’s first week on the job has been like. It hasn’t been much different, there’s just a new title that goes with her name.
   "The funny thing is what I’ve been doing is what I’ve always done," Salcido said. "I love being on the road, being at games and watching games. It can be crazy. The administrative stuff, that will continue for a while. I need to hire a coach. Replacing someone like Maureen is impossible. She was a great pitching coach. I hope to find someone as balanced as her in recruiting too. The main thing for me is recruiting and getting people in place.
   "I just talked to my parents about (getting the job) and I said, I should be tired, but I’m empowered. I’m excited. I always worked hard for Maureen. Now it’s my own program and I enjoy working on it. I can work long days and be excited about it."