SUMMARY:  The Head Coach is responsible for helping each participating student achieve a high level of skill, an appreciation for the values of discipline and sportsmanship, and an increased level of self-esteem. The Head Coach reports to the Athletic Director.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

• Administrative Responsibilities
  • Responsible with Athletic Director for all matters relating to the organization, administration, and philosophy of the sport under his/her direction.
  • Serves in a leadership capacity to the community program.
  • Oversees the high school/middle school program in his/her sport.
  • Coaches individual participants in the skills necessary for excellent achievement in the sport involved.
  • Maintains competency and follows MSHSAA rules, event procedures, coaching techniques and general information about all aspects of the sport, and uses common sense in providing equal opportunities for opponents as well as self.
  • Recommends to the Athletic Director teams that may be scheduled.
  • Works closely with the Athletic Director to schedule TCAPS facility use.
  • Works with the coaches and/or Athletic Director to plan transportation and appropriate supervision at away contests in compliance with district travel policy and guidelines.
  • Maintains appropriate rapport with players’ parents.
  • Maintains a positive relationship with interested segments of the community.
  • Cooperates with newspapers, radio, and T.V.
  • Assumes responsibility for bringing his/her staff and team to the game physically, mentally, and emotionally prepared for competition.
  • During games, maintains self-control, provides an example of sportsmanlike conduct in his relationship with players, staff, officials, and opponents.
  • After games, accepts responsibility for outcome of game and, in victory or defeat, is able to congratulate or console his or her players, staff, and officials
  • Attends in-district meetings and sports related clinics.
  • Attends and subscribes to professional organizations.
• Supervisory Duties
  • Assists Athletic Director in recruiting and hiring all coaches.
  • Evaluates all assistant, sub-varsity and volunteer coaches in his/her sport.
  • Assigns duties to coaching staff effectively, including assigning realistic duties and providing opportunities to use talents.
  • Exhibits flexibility while at the same time establishing regular meetings, realistic responsibilities for assistants, and reliable procedures.
  • Willingly makes decisions, delegates authority with equal responsibility while remaining accountable for such delegation, provides an atmosphere of cooperation in being receptive to suggestions and giving credit to those responsible for success.
• Record Keeping Responsibilities
  • Maintains an accurate and current team & program roster and submits copies to the Athletic Office.
  • Provides an adequate system for handling equipment, which may include issuing, collecting, purchasing, and accounting.
  • Develops a consistent and positive communications procedure through the school and media to inform the parents and the general public about his/her sport.
  • Maintains accurate statistics, records, and results of the season.
  • Arranges for the presentation of team awards and banquet at the end of the season.
• Athletic Behavior/Eligibility Responsibilities
  • Enforces all rules of the MSHSAA related to his/her sport.
  • Enforces discipline and sportsmanlike behavior at all times, and establishes and oversees penalties for breach of such standards by individual students.
  • Ensures that no bullying/hazing occurs in his/her sport.
  • Establishes performance criteria for participation in interscholastic competition in his/her sport.
  • Checks with Athletic Office on individual athlete’s eligibility.
  • Cooperates with building principal and athletic department head in regard to submitting eligibility lists, equipment needs, and program information relative to their sport.
• Injury/Safety
  • Cooperates with the Athletic Director to verify that no participant is issued equipment or allowed to practice until his/her physical examination has been completed and his/her insurance coverage is in effect.
  • Oversees the safety condition of the facility or area in which assigned sport is conducted at all times that students are present.
  • Enforces rules and regulations concerning conditioning of players and their health and safety.
  • Exercises great care in dealing with all injuries and particularly those that are of a serious nature. In all cases, the coach should assure that the injured athlete receives competent medical care. Following injuries of a serious or prolonged nature, the coach should secure the signed approval of the doctor and parent before the athlete is allowed to participate again in athletic activities.
  • Provides supervision of all athletes until they have left the building and/or site.
  • Ensures that all windows, doors, and gates are locked in any area that has been used.
• Team Activities
  • Plans all practice sessions and competitions, and supervises out-of-season conditioning program.
  • Organizes, supervises, coordinates, and evaluates practice sessions and related activities with proper attention to players mental and physical well-being.
  • Ensures a positive environment free of hazing, harassment, bullying and intimidating language and behaviors.
  • Plans and executes special events, Senior/Parent Night, team meals, awards banquet, other special recognition, etc.
• Relationships
  • Shows enthusiasm for working with students and has good rapport with them
  • Is supportive and cooperative of other staff members
  • Is supportive and cooperative with academic staff members in other non-sport activities
  • Is enthusiastic for the sport itself
  • Is firm, fair, and consistent when administering disciplinary action
  • Uses all possible ethical means of motivation. Emphasizes value of competitive athletics, acceptable personal behavior, decision making and lasting values to each individual.  Serves as an exemplary professional. 
• Other Duties
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: A Four-Year College Degree OR Serving as a MSHSAA Approved Assistant Coach (60 College Hours) for a minimum of TWO school years. 

OTHER TRAINING and SKILLS:

• First aid and CPR training required.
• Experience in teaching, coaching, and sports medicine preferred.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate success in area of application.