Head Coach

Summary

Job Category:: Coaching
Job Title:: Head Coach
Job Category Definition:: Responsible for the organization, development, and leadership of a varsity intercollegiate athletic program in support of the mission and core values of the Athletic Department/University. Duties may include hiring staff; recruiting and retaining top prospective student-athletes; establishing a competitive schedule; coordinating practice planning, skill development, and designing strategies which prepare team for competition; mentoring student-athletes; overseeing booster clubs and development initiatives; organizing sport camps; and budget management; collaborates with numerous athletic and University units; demonstrates adherence to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations.
Job Title Definition:: The Head Coach oversees all aspects of the varsity program, including: hires, supervises, and evaluates Assistant Coaches; identifies, recruits, and retains top prospective student-athletes; coordinates the athletic grant-in-aid process; establishes a competitive schedule and coordinates team travel; responds to media requests; and promotes the team; coordinates practice planning, skill development, and designs coaching strategies which prepare team for competition; establishes and enforces rules of conduct as well as mentors student-athletes to foster athletic, academic, emotional, and social growth; collaborates with athletic and University units’ admissions, financial aid, medical services, academic support, judicial affairs, student-athlete services, compliance office, etc.; oversees booster clubs to ensure compliance with University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations; manages the operational budget while demonstrating fiscal responsibility; collaborates with the development office to identify, cultivate, and solicit donor prospects with particular attention to encouraging former student-athletes to support their programs; schedules, plans, organizes, and conducts summer sport camps in support of athletics and the University; guides the professional development of Assistant Coaches by providing expanded responsibilities, regular appraisals, and annual performance reviews; may serve on athletic/University-wide committees and may represent the University on conference, NCAA, or sport governing boards; demonstrates adherence to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations while overseeing activities of Assistant Coaches, staff, boosters, and student-athletes to verify compliance with a clear mandate to self-report any violations; supports community service efforts by involving the coaching staff as well as student-athletes and may assist with larger athletic department and University efforts; supports the mission and core values of intercollegiate athletics and may articulate core values to boosters, alumni, University, business, and civic groups. Duties are performed at various levels within the defined title.
Working Conditions:: Specific physical requirements and effort are outlined in Job Responsibilities Worksheet (list of essential job duties and responsibilities specific to a particular job at the unit level) in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
Other Requirements:

Levels

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 4
Level 5

Level 1

There is currently no Level 1.

Level 2

There is currently no Level 2.

Level 3

Level Details
Job Code	Salary Band	FLSA Status
ATCO9003	M	Exempt

Level 3 positions typically demonstrate proficient ability in work design, project management, financial planning and development of goals for accomplishing difficult unit assignments; demonstrate awareness of emerging trends, and changes in employment regulations, policies and procedures to proactively address issues; review completed work of others for conformity to policy, and effectiveness of approach; delegate more advanced tasks to others; facilitate optimal group dynamics and evaluate employee performance on difficult work assignments and recommend appropriate developmental opportunities; develop and implement practices that promote a culture of diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness and that is conducive to effective relationships among diverse groups of employees; use diplomacy and advanced communication skills in unstructured settings; modify, adapt, or refine guidelines, if necessary, to resolve issues or problems; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on unit operations.

Typical Education & Experience
6+ years related experience Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Typical Work Duties
Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate Assistant Coaches/Associate Head Coaches Direct the entire “recruiting process” which includes the identification, evaluation, recruitment, and retention of top prospective student-athletes Coordinate the athletic grant-in-aid process by interacting with athletic units and University-wide units Establish a competitive schedule, coordinate team travel, and maintain compliance with University guidelines per class hours missed Respond to media requests and maintain access/availability of coaching staff and student-athletes; provide information to the media about the team, the program, upcoming competitions, etc. Collaborate with marketing and communications, events staff, ticket office, and facility manager to promote the team and increase attendance at home events Coordinate practice planning, skill development, and design coaching strategies which prepare team for competition; determine the starting line-up, substitution patterns, and game day strategies and tactics Establish and enforce rules of conduct as well as mentor student-athletes to foster athletic, academic, emotional, and social growth; determine and implement disciplinary sanctions if student-athletes fail to comply with team, athletic department, and/or University rules and regulations Collaborate with athletic and University units - admissions financial aid, medical services, academic support, judicial affairs, student-athlete services, international programs, and compliance Oversee booster clubs to ensure compliance with University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations Collaborate with development office to identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit donor prospects for the sport and intercollegiate athletics; assist with efforts to encourage former student-athletes to join the Nittany Lion Club Collaborate with Varsity S Club Director on events/activities for former student-athletes Manage the operational budget while demonstrating fiscal responsibility and support of cost containment initiatives Oversee the purchase and inventory of uniforms and equipment Support professional development of Assistant Coaches by providing expanded responsibilities and leadership opportunities; provide feedback to Assistant Coaches through regular appraisals and annual performance reviews Schedule, plan, organize, and conduct summer sport camps in support of athletics and the University; coordinate efforts to ensure adequate staffing, medical support, and facility availability Support community service efforts by involving the coaching staff as well as the student-athletes; may assist with larger athletic department and/or University efforts Adhere to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations; oversee activities of Assistant Coaches, staff, boosters, and student-athletes to verify compliance with a clear mandate to self-report any violations Support the mission and core values of intercollegiate athletics

This profile is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions in this job title and should not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties should not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of a similar kind or level of difficulty.

Level 4

Level Details
Job Code	Salary Band	FLSA Status
ATCO9004	O	Exempt

Level 4 positions typically demonstrate advanced skills in budget management, business development, communications, and leadership and execution of objectives critical to unit's success; provide detailed plans for changes to specific policies and procedures that may result from trends and changes in overall direction of functional and/or organizational responsibilities; monitor completed work of others to ensure soundness of approach, effectiveness in meeting requirements, the feasibility of recommendations and adherences to requirements; evaluate and enhance practices that promote a strong commitment to inclusionary practices which support diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate diplomacy in persuading and influencing a variety of people to achieve results; resolve complex, controversial or unprecedented issues and problems, and demonstrate sound judgment by considering values, risks, impact and implications of actions throughout organization; set clear expectations and hold management team accountable for effectively coaching, mentoring and motivating their respective staffs; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have an impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience
8+ years related experience Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Typical Work Duties
Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate Assistant Coaches/Associate Head Coaches Direct the entire “recruiting process” which includes the identification, evaluation, recruitment, and retention of top prospective student-athletes; develop a systematic approach with coordinated duties among Assistant Coaches and/or Associate Head Coaches Coordinate the athletic grant-in-aid process by interacting with athletic units and University-wide units Establish and enhance the competitive schedule, coordinate team travel, and maintain compliance with University guidelines per class hours missed Respond to local, regional, and/or national media requests while maintaining access/availability of the coaching staff and student-athletes; serve as a spokesperson not only for the team, but in some cases, for the athletic department Collaborate with marketing and communications, events staff, ticket office, and facility manager to promote the team and increase attendance at home events; assist with efforts to secure sponsorships Coordinate practice planning, skill development, and design coaching strategies which prepare team for competition; determine the starting line-up, substitution patterns, and game day strategies and tactics Establish and enforce rules of conduct as well as mentor student-athletes to foster athletic, academic, emotional, and social growth; determine and implement disciplinary sanctions if student-athletes fail to comply with team, athletic department, and/or University rules and regulations Collaborate with athletic and University units - admissions, financial aid, medical services, academic support, judicial affairs, student-athlete services, international programs, and compliance office Oversee booster clubs to ensure compliance with University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations; assist in the coordination of booster club efforts with those of the athletic department/University Collaborate with development office to identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit donor prospects for the sport and intercollegiate athletics; actively support efforts to encourage former student-athletes to join the Nittany Lion Club Collaborate with Varsity S Club Director on events/activities for former student-athletes Manage the operational budget while demonstrating fiscal responsibility and support of cost containment initiatives Oversee the purchase and inventory of uniforms and equipment Support professional development of Assistant Coaches and Associate Head Coaches by providing expanded responsibilities and leadership opportunities; provide feedback through regular appraisals and annual performance reviews Schedule, plan, organize, and conduct summer sport camps in support of athletics and the University; promote the growth of sport camps Perform an active role in representing athletics in community service efforts and may assist with larger University-wide efforts Adhere to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations; oversee activities of Assistant Coaches, staff, boosters, and student-athletes to verify compliance with a clear mandate to self-report any violations Provide leadership for other staff in support of the mission and core values of intercollegiate athletics; may serve on athletic committees or task forces May represent athletics and the University by serving on conference, NCAA, or sport governing boards (e.g., Olympic Games Committee)

Level 5

Level Details
Job Code	Salary Band	FLSA Status
ATCO9005	R	Exempt

Level 5 positions typically demonstrate awareness of broad issues and management trends and evaluate the impact of policy and procedure changes and adjust accordingly; apply management principles to ensure optimal performance throughout organization; ensure appropriate skills are developed and maintained at all levels of responsibility and realign staff responsibilities to meet desired changes in organization and/or University mission; develop plans, practices and efforts to ensure optimal support or diversity, safety, and environmental consciousness throughout the University; demonstrate high level of diplomacy in persuading and influencing a wide variety of people at various levels and locations to achieve results; develop and implement solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems that may have University-wide impact and establish new precedents for solving problems; develop and articulate broad goals and objectives for unit with multi-functions or University-wide impact; develop, evaluate, enhance, and/or implement quality improvement practices, processes, procedures, or policies that have a strategic impact on University operations.

Typical Education & Experience
10+ years related experience Bachelor’s Degree or higher

Typical Work Duties
Hire, supervise, mentor, and evaluate Assistant Coaches/Associate Head Coaches Coordinate a complex recruiting system which includes an extensive network and processes to identify, evaluate, recruit, and retain top prospective student-athletes Coordinate the athletic grant-in-aid process by interacting with athletic and University-wide units Establish and enhance the competitive schedule, coordinate team travel, and maintain compliance with University guidelines per class hour missed Respond to numerous media requests at the local, regional and national level; serve as a spokesperson for the team, the athletic department and the University at large Promote the team and the University locally, regionally, and nationally; foster efforts to secure sponsorships Coordinate practice planning, skill development, and design coaching tactics/strategies which prepare team for competition; determine the starting line-up, substitution patterns, and game day strategies and tactics; may serve as a clinician/expert at coaching conventions Establish and enforce rules of conduct as well as mentor student-athletes to foster athletic, academic, emotional, and social growth; determine and implement disciplinary sanctions if student-athletes fail to comply with team, athletic department, and/or University rules and regulations Collaborate with athletic and University units - admissions, financial aid, medical services, academic support, judicial affairs, student-athlete services, international programs, and compliance office Oversee booster clubs to ensure compliance with University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations; assist in the coordination of booster club efforts with those of the Athletic Department/University Collaborate with development office to identify, cultivate, steward, and solicit donor prospects for the sport and intercollegiate athletics; lead efforts to encourage Collaborate with Varsity S Club Director in planning and promoting events for former student-athletes; establish clear and effective communication with former student-athletes Manage the operational budget while demonstrating fiscal responsibility and support cost containment initiatives Oversee the purchase and inventory of uniforms and equipment Support professional development of Assistant Coaches and Associate Head Coaches by providing expanded responsibilities and leadership opportunities; provide feedback through regular appraisals and annual performance reviews; establish a system/mechanism to fully prepare Assistant Coaches to become Head Coaches Oversee sport camps in support of athletics and the University; ensure the growth and future viability of sport camps Provide leadership in representing athletics in community service efforts and assist with larger University-wide efforts Adhere to University, conference, and NCAA rules and regulations; oversee activities of Assistant Coaches, staff, boosters, and student-athletes to verify compliance with a clear mandate to self-report any violations Provide leadership for other staff by endorsing the mission and core values of athletics; articulate the mission and core values to alumni, University, business, and community groups; serve on athletic committees and task forces; may serve on University-wide committees May represent athletics and the University by serving on conference, NCAA, or sport governing boards (e.g., Olympic Games Committee)