SALINAS >> He’s been a fixture in the gym on the Salinas High campus during basketball season for the better part of 15 years.

Along his journey, Cory Kanow has worked and coached with the likes of Joe Chappell, Jens Gordon, Jerod Stewart and Lawrence Zenk.

Yet, each time the head boys varsity job opened up, Kanow just felt the timing wasn’t right.

“The timing just didn’t fit in with my job and family,” Kanow said. “I wasn’t ready. But my daughter is a little older and my job is more settled.”

After throwing his hat in the ring when the position opened this off-season, the 1999 Salinas graduate was named the new boys basketball coach.

“Cory’s leadership is rooted in clear communication and purposeful action,” Stewart said. “He has a remarkable ability to articulate vision, align around shared goals and hold everyone to a high standard on and off the court.”

Kanow, who played under Chappell, was an assistant for him for 10 years before becoming a head coach at the freshman and junior varsity levels for five years under Stewart, returning last year to the varsity as an assistant under Zenk.

“I was nervous interviewing for the position, even with the people I’ve known,” Kanow said. “I think it’s a good thing. It shows I’m excited about it. I think if I didn’t have nerves, that would say something as well.”

For the first time in 17 years, the Cowboys missed the playoffs last winter, going winless in the Pacific Coast Athletic League’s Gabilan Division and finishing 3-21 overall.

“With injuries and a couple of kids not coming out, it was the perfect storm,” Kanow said. “Add two underclassmen starting and that is where our struggles began. In the Gabilan Division, there’s no opportunity to catch your breath. It was relentless.”

Kanow pointed out that several players who are returning got on-the-job training and invaluable experience, while he will have a 22-2 junior varsity team from last season to add depth.

“We’re still going to be young,” Kanow said. “I do think a little more continuity from the lower levels will do this group wonders. If we can add to what we still have, it will be a good mix. We still have to learn by doing.”

Rather than drop a division to rebuild that confidence, the Cowboys — two years removed from winning the Gabilan Division — chose to remain in the league this coming winter.

“We have a couple of really strong classes coming up,” insisted Kanow. “I just think there’s so much potential at Salinas High in general. There is so much raw material to work with.”

Stewart, who guided Salinas to its first league title in 12 years in 2023, advocated for Kanow to the hiring committee, even writing a letter on his behalf.

“I’ve watched him earn kids’ trust by listening, encouraging and challenging them in the right ways,” Stewart said. “The culture he cultivates is one where players are empowered to grow as athletes and as people.”

It didn’t take long for word to leak out or spread around campus that Kanow was not only remaining in the program, but will be calling the shots.

“The kids knew I was a candidate,” Kanow said. “It felt good to know I had a lot of kids in my corner. I’ve been receiving a few texts from former and current players. I’m excited to get started.”

Kanow will play what he calls modern basketball, meaning the Cowboys will get out on the break and not be shy about shooting from the perimeter with a talented corps of wing players.

“We want to get out and run,” Kanow said. “We have some good athletes. We want to space the floor and let their God-given talent take over. We want to play an exciting brand of basketball. I think the kids enjoy playing that way.”

An emphasis, though, will be on defense. Last season, Salinas gave up 70 or more points in five of its last six games and more than 80 points five times.

“We have to be defensive-minded,” Kanow said. “That’s something we have to instill in the kids. Defense really travels. That has to be one of our calling cards. Every team will have off nights. But if you’re a great defensive team, it raises our floor.”

Kanow will be able to get a jump start with a summer program, address changes and implement his system, with an emphasis on putting last season in the rear-view mirror.

“A real benefit being on staff last year and over the past few years is knowing what I’m stepping into,” Kanow said. “We’re going to hit the ground running this summer. We have a lot of work to do. Last year was a tough season.”