POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Head Athletics Coach - West Plains
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 5699
GRADE Unclassified
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director of Athletics - West Plains
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Head Athletics Coach - West Plains is responsible for the management and administration of all activities related to his/her sport and exercises direct supervision of recruiting, training, and coaching student-athletes participating in that sport. The Head Athletics Coach - West Plains is fully responsible for compliance with National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) rules and regulations, as well as university policies governing intercollegiate athletics and administrative operating procedures (e.g., travel, purchasing, etc.).
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree is required; a master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: At least three years of experience in coaching required. Post-secondary experience preferred. Coaching experience in a NJCAA Division I level program is preferred. Demonstrated knowledge of NJCAA rules and regulations governing recruitment, eligibility, and related functions is required. Public speaking and positive community relations experience are required. Experience in administrative functions, budgeting, fund-raising, promotional activities, and public relations is required.
Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills are required. Management and organizational skills are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required. The ability to successfully transition students to the MSU-Springfield campus is preferred.
Other: A valid driver’s license or eligibility for a valid driver’s license is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures that the particular sport coached achieves the parallel goals of development of a quality, competitive athletics program and support of the individual educational goals of student-athletes by engendering a coaching philosophy which promotes those goals and establishes an environment conducive to both. Develops an equivalent recruitment strategy and directs all recruiting activities, selecting team members, scheduling and supervising all practice sessions and intercollegiate contests, coaching the team, providing opportunities for academic assistance to student-athletes if required, and monitoring the academic progress of each participating student-athlete.2. Protects the integrity of the sport coached and the reputation of the intercollegiate athletics program of the University by ensuring that recruiting activities, student-athlete eligibility determination, scholarships and financial aid programs, scheduled practice sessions, and related activities governed by the National Junior College Athletic Association are in compliance with the NJCAA rules and regulations as well as applicable University policies.
3. Reduces the likelihood of athletics-related injuries or the aggravation of such injuries during the practice sessions and scheduled contests by being knowledgeable of the injuries sustained in the sport and proper prevention methods, directing appropriate pre-training sessions and pre-contest preparations and warm ups, and arranging for qualified athletic trainers to be available during all training sessions and contests.
4. Develops a competent and effective coaching staff by recruiting and hiring qualified applicants, providing guidance on departmental or University policies and coaching philosophy, encouraging professional development through participation in coaching decisions and recruiting activities, making coaching assignments based upon qualifications, supervising coaching activities, and evaluating performances.
5. Facilitates charitable giving by donors, thus enhancing the ability of the University to meet established athletics fund-raising goals, by actively participating in fund-raising events and promotional activities for intercollegiate athletics, as well as serving as chairperson or co-chairperson of fund-raising committees or as a spokesperson for specific fund-raising campaigns, and/or sponsored sports-related special events.
6. Promotes a positive image of the intercollegiate athletics program and the University by establishing and enforcing standards of personal behavior, conduct and appearance for the coaching staff, athletes and support personnel on and off the University campus, participating in community and professional organizations, representing the University at professional meetings and on community committees, and establishing and maintaining credible relations with various news media.
7. Participates as a member of the University community by being on committees and active in college events.
8. Manages funds by providing input for development of the annual Athletics Department budget and exercising authority for all expenditures related to the sport coached.
9. Facilitates a work and learning environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and the development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
10. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Athletic Director.
11. Contributes to the overall success of the University’s intercollegiate athletics program by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
SUPERVISION
The Head Athletics Coach-West Plains is supervised by the Director of Athletics -West Plains, however, exercises considerable independent judgment in the management and coaching of his/her sport. The Head Athletics Coach - West Plains directly supervises the coaching staff, student assistants, and students involved in the particular sport.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JUNE 2024