(Michigan City) — When Charles Salary played at LaPorte, Michigan City fans weren’t too fond of him.

Now, Salary will be the one who leads Michigan City’s football team.

Tuesday night, the 30-year-old was hired as the Wolves’ head coach. He replaces Cody French, who took the job at Portage. This marks the second time in his career that Salary has succeeded French, as he also took over for him at Calumet, where Salary has served the last three years as head coach.

Prior to his time at Calumet, Salary spent three years as a teacher at Barker Middle School and served as an assistant coach at Michigan City High School under Phil Mason, coaching running backs and wide receivers.

“Charles brings a unique package of experience as a teacher, coach, and student-athlete to our program,” notes Michigan City athletic director Ben Bachmann. “He has visible energy, a relentless work ethic, and an evident passion for working with kids, while also being familiar with the school community.”

As a player at LaPorte High School, Salary helped lead the Slicers to a state runner-up finish in 2014, earning All-State and Duneland Athletic Conference MVP honors as a senior.

At Marian University, he was a two-time team captain and earned NAIA National Player of the Year and NAIA Champion of Character of the Year honors in 2019 after helping lead his team to a national runner-up finish and a conference championship. He was named to multiple All-American teams.. Salary finished his collegiate career with more than 4,600 rushing yards and set the school’s single-season rushing record.

Salary was 14-17 in his three seasons at Calumet, including a 6-5 mark in 2025. He inherits a Wolves program that won a 5A sectional last year and finished 8-4