Assistant Coach, Softball

Department: Intercollegiate Athletics

Job Category: Administrative or Professional Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Location: Fairfax, VA

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

Educate: Prioritize academic achievement and recruit student-athletes who can be successful academically, strengthen ICA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and provide consistent education for coaches and sport administrators.

Compete: Position teams to consistently compete for conference success and recruit student-athletes who possess the ability to excel athletically from a conference and national perspective.

Engage: Prioritize the experience and personal well-being of student-athletes, develop and renovate athletics facilities in accordance with University and ICA objectives and priorities, generate resources necessary to support the student-athlete experience, competitiveness, and infrastructure, and foster and inspire partnerships within the department, University, the surrounding community, and the corporate community.

About the Position:

The primary role of this position is to provide teaching, coaching and technical expertise needed to allow the student-athlete to compete at their highest competitive potential. Additionally, it is also a primary responsibility of the incumbent to be cognitive to all coaching and/or teaching duties associated with the program. This is to include but not be limited to the oversight and management of the safety and well-being of those student-athletes assigned to their coaching care. In the absence of the Head Coach, the incumbent is expected to act on behalf of the Head Coach on any and all related program issues. This position will assist the Head Softball Coach in the organization of all aspects of a Division I Softball Program with primary responsibility being pitching coach.

Responsibilities:

Teaching and Coaching 

• Assists with the scouting and off-campus recruitment of student-athletes, including assisting with on-campus visits of prospective student-athletes;
• Assists in coaching and teaching skill development in student-athletes. Instructs on team philosophy, physical health, and safety;
• Monitors the conditioning and training of student-athletes, in conjunction with the Strength Coach and the Athletic Training staff;
• Breakdown and analysis of individual film;
• Attends coaches’ preparatory meetings. Develops and implements strategies resulting from these meetings;
• Assists in maintaining team statistics; and
• Assists with the development of schedules for practice and competition, as assigned, to include interfacing with departmental administrators and representatives of other schools and conference. 

Act as Team Liaison to 

• Equipment office staff to order, monitor and control all team equipment;
• Business Office and Coaches Support Assistant on program operations, logistics, planning, and team travel. Assists with making necessary travel and meal arrangements. Travels with the team and monitors the conduct of student-athletes;
• Academic Services (study hall and tutoring) while demonstrating consistent commitment to the academic performance, retention and graduation of student athletes; and
• Participates as needed in public relations activities, including granting interviews with newspaper, radio and television media, attending press conferences and making public appearances. 

Department, University, Conference and NCAA Compliance 

• Adheres to the NCAA and A-10 governing policies and procedures;
• Attends compliance education meetings; 
• Demonstrates commitment to both the intent and spirit of applicable NCAA and A-10 rules and regulations; and
• Demonstrates integrity and professionalism in applying guidelines to individual program. 

Fundraising 

• Assists with planning and coordinating approved fund-raising activities, as assigned. 

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as requested by the Assistant Vice President/Director of Intercollegiate Athletics or Sport Administrator. 

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree, or any combination of bachelor’s degree, training, certification and work experience that equates to the advanced degree;
• Collegiate softball pitching coaching experience or equivalent playing and skills instruction experience (typically two years);
• Must be proficient in Rapsodo, Diamond Kinetics, and other analytical tools and the pitcher development process; 
• Knowledge of and commitment to compliance with A-10, NCAA, and University guidelines;
• The NCAA Coach’s Certification exam must be taken by all of our coaches annually. The exam must be passed in order for a coach to recruit off-campus. This certification is through the NCAA and is a critical part of the coach’s job; and
• Valid Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one prior to the start date. Must currently possess an appropriate, active, valid motor vehicle operator’s license that meets all of GMU’s requirements for operating state vehicles and equipment under Mason’s Vehicle Use Policy 1411 https://universitypolicy.gmu.edu/policies/vehicle-use/. The Office of Risk Management reserves the right to review the driver’s licenses and Motor Vehicle Reports (MVRs) of all candidates selected with employment contingent upon a favorable review.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Pitching coaching experience at Division 1 level (2+ years).

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Assistant Coach, Softball at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide resume for review.

Posting Open Date: August 16, 2024

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  September 20, 2024

Open Until Filled?:  Yes