Job Summary
Assist the head coach in teaching, advising and mentoring student-athletes in accordance with NCAA, conference and university rules and regulations while: 1) creating an atmosphere where graduation is facilitated through participation in intercollegiate athletics, 2) teaching student-athletes to be productive citizens who contribute to society for life, and 3) winning championships. The primary responsibility of the position is teaching effectively in practice and competition, with an emphasis on providing additional individual instruction to student-athletes in how to perform their sport. Secondary to that primary responsibility, the position also: 1) assists the head coach with recruiting, 2) promotes an atmosphere of compliance and student-athlete academic performance, 3) assists the head coach with scheduling and budget management, 4) assists with fundraising, 5) teaches life skills to student-athletes 6) assists the head coach with sport camps as desired, and 7) engages the university and local community by building relationships with constituent group members and by personal and team participation in community service activities in a manner that will increase co-curricular learning experiences for the student-athletes. The instructional assistant coach must have a philosophy that helps the head coach maintain a competitive Division II program that values the educational and personal well-being of its student-athletes while emphasizing the university and athletics department mission, vision, core values and culture.
Duties/Responsibilities
- This job description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties or responsibility requirements. Employees may be required to perform other job-related instructions as requested by the supervisor, subject to reasonable accommodation.
- Practice and Competition Instruction – Assist the head coach with efforts to teach student-athletes how to perform their sport. More specifically, assist with instructing individual student-athletes on the techniques and tactics of the sport, demonstrate techniques of the sport, evaluate student-athlete and team performance, teach and engage student-athletes in appropriate strength and conditioning techniques, assist with the development of practice and competition plans, scout opposing teams (if applicable to the sport) assist with the development of competition schedules that will prepare the team for conference and NCAA championship success.
- Student-Athlete Academic Performance – Support student-athlete graduation by: monitoring student-athlete academic performance; implementing appropriate study hall, class checking and grade checking programs; partnering with faculty, tutors, mentors, advisors and other university staff to support the academic performance of student-athletes; and implementing appropriate practice and competition limitations as needed for student-athletes who are not performing adequately in the classroom.
- Recruiting and Retention – Assist the head coach with efforts to recruit and retain prospective student-athletes who are: admissible to the university, NCAA qualifiers, good citizens who will represent the program well, motivated to graduate from Drury and excellent athletes in the sport.
- Compliance – Promote an atmosphere of compliance for everyone who is directly and indirectly associated with the sport, comply with NCAA, conference and university rules and regulations.
- Budget – Assist the head coach with the management of the budget so the program functions within the operating budget allocated by the university and any money raised to supplement the operating budget.
- Fundraising – Collaborate with athletics department and advancement staff for fundraising events and promotional activities, assist with securing donations needed to supplement the sport operating budget as necessary.
- Student-Athlete Development – Supplement the education student-athletes receive in the classroom by teaching them life skills that will help them be productive citizens for life, support student-athlete development programming conducted by the athletics department and university.
- Community Engagement – Promote a positive image of the program and the university by building relationships with constituent group members and by personal and team participation in community service activities; maintain positive relations with various media outlets, community groups, university departments and athletics department staff members.
- Sports Camps – Assist the head coach with the organization and implementation of sports camps as desired by the head coach.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Skills/Abilities
- To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All job requirements listed indicate the minimum knowledge, skills, and/or ability deemed necessary to perform the job proficiently. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- An understanding of, and commitment to the fundamental role that intercollegiate athletics, when properly implemented, can play in the educational development of Drury student-athletes
- Possession of a basic knowledge of the sport, a basic understanding of coaching and instructional strategies, and an ability to instruct and enhance student-athlete development
- Ability to recruit and retain qualified student-athletes at an academically competitive institution
- Knowledge of and commitment to NCAA rules
- Ability to handle stressful situations in a professional manner
- Ability to promote an atmosphere of compliance within the program and monitor the activities of individuals directly and indirectly involved with the program
- Ability to work successfully with other departments and constituency groups on campus and in the community
- Ability to motivate and develop student-athletes academically and athletically
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills
- Commitment to working with multicultural populations and an awareness of issues affecting women, minorities and international student-athletes
- Ability to work evening and weekend hours
- Ability to travel for work-related activities (e.g., competitions and recruiting)
- Attention to detail while maintaining an understanding of the big picture
- Strong organizational skills resulting in the ability to prioritize workload and meet short-term deadlines on a regular basis
- Strong written and verbal communications skills
- Ability to assist the head coach with managing competition schedules and budgets, fundraising and teaching life skills to student-athletes
- Proficiency with appropriate computer applications and general office equipment and software
- Valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree
- One year of experience teaching and coaching the sport (college coaching experience preferred)
- Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Physical Requirements
- The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.
- The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop or kneel.
- The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.
- The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
