Estevan Valencia to take over for Darol Salazar as Palm Desert athletic director and head baseball coach
Palm Desert high school announced Wednesday morning that Estevan Valencia will be the school's new athletic director starting July 28th.
Valencia will also serve as the Aztecs' head baseball coach, taking over for desert legend Darol Salazar who is retiring after 36 years on the job.
Palm Desert High School 🤝 Estevan Valencia
— Bailey Arredondo (@BaileyKESQ) April 13, 2022
Valencia was named PD's new AD & ⚾️ Head Coach this morning - @PDAztec_Zink. Valencia comes from @RedlandsHighSch and isn't new to the valley - served as manager of @PSPowerBaseball!
Hear more tonight on @KESQ / @BlakeArthur24! pic.twitter.com/kytduNbrrj
Valencia comes from Redlands High School where he was the Terriers athletic director and baseball coach for 15 years.
"I'm honored and feel privileged to get that opportunity to be the keeper of this athletic program and baseball program," said Valencia.
A southern California native, Valencia is familiar with the valley as he was the manager for the Palm Springs Power for four summers.
The Aztecs have proved to be one of the desert's powerhouses across all sports. Specifically on the diamond, Valencia is taking over a program that has won 21 league titles and two CIF titles.