Head Coach – Field Hockey Contract

Job Title: Field Hockey Head Coach

Department: Athletics

Supervisor: Director of Athletics

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Schedule: Regular, 12 mo., FT

Job Summary:

The Head Coach is responsible to coach, direct, recruit, and administer the EMU Field Hockey program and assume other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics. The candidate must demonstrate a strong commitment to academic and athletic excellence and to the philosophy and goals of Eastern Mennonite University.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Organize, develop and administer all phases of a competitive collegiate Field Hockey program.

  • Dedicate 51% of responsibilities to teaching and coaching the designated sport, emphasizing skill development, team-building, and competitive success.

  • Recruitment – develop a comprehensive recruiting plan including roster targets and needs, and operate within the rules and expectations of EMU & the NCAA.

  • Budget management – present a preliminary budget annually to the Director of Athletics, and understand and effectively manage the finances of the program.

  • On-field coaching – demonstrate knowledge of sport specific conditioning needs, strategies and trends, training equipment, practice planning, position specific personnel expectations, and provide student-athlete centered coaching and feedback.

  • Team Culture – Create an environment that honors diversity, provides support & accountability, and holds student athletes to high expectations reflecting EMU Athletics mission and vision.

  • Facility and equipment care -manage and utilize the athletic facilities as shared spaces and properly maintain equipment associated with the program.

  • Fundraising & alumni engagement – collaborate with Advancement and the Alumni & Parent Engagement Offices to connect with alumni and execute effective fundraising activities.

  • Supervision of an assistant coach – see supervisory responsibilities below

• Build a successful, respected program, a department & campus community contributor, and adhere to the policies and guidelines of EMU’s Athletics Department, NCAA, ODAC, & CVC.

• Utilize current educational pedagogy that maximizes holistic student athlete development.

• Foster positive working relationships with Athletic Department colleagues including support staff (Athletic Training, Athletics Communications, Administrative Assistants, Assistant Coaches) by meeting deadlines, timely communication, attending required staff & campus meetings, and actively working toward departmental and campus goals.

• Prioritize academic success for student-athletes as well as the importance of good citizenship both on and off the playing field, including monitoring and documentation of academic status, class attendance, player campus community engagement (required convocation points), and student conduct.

• Perform additional athletic department duties as assigned, up to 25% of annual load.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of the fundamentals of the applicable team sport.

• Thorough understanding of the rules and regulations associated with student athletes and coaches in the sport.

• Thorough understanding of the rules and regulations associated with the NCAA Division III.

• Excellent interpersonal, leadership, and managerial skills.

• Ability to appropriately communicate with athletes, coaching staff, administrators, and other campus colleagues.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Proficient in Google Drive and associated platforms.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree or higher preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree required.

• 3 years of collegiate coaching with recruiting preferred.

  • Minimum of successful high school coaching required.

  • Experience with recruiting, practice and game planning, skill instruction, team culture building, and competencies in administration and budget management of a team preferred.

• First Aid/CPR/AED certification preferred at time of application, and required as a condition of employment.

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and climb or balance, including prolonged periods standing and moving during practices, games, meets, matches, and other competitions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus. The employee must be able to watch and analyze video of opposing teams. The employee must occasionally travel to meetings and conferences off campus, which may include some overnight travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• In conjunction with the athletic director, assigns and promotes assistant coaches based on experience and performance.

• Coordinates the work of assistant coaches.

• Manages the work of work-study students as needed.