Assistant Coach, Women's Lacrosse

About the department

George Mason Athletics unites communities by developing champions with a mission to inspire and transform lives through the power of sports. Mason Athletics serves 500 student-athletes in 22 NCAA Division I sports. We are a proud member of the Atlantic 10 Conference with over 20 Conference Championships, NCAA Championships in Women’s Soccer and Men’s Indoor Track, an NCAA Final Four appearance with Men’s Basketball, and over 30 individual National Champions. We are student-focused, education-centered, and committed to providing transformational experiences for our student-athletes and staff. Our five priorities are Student-Athlete Experience, Competition, Resources, Storytelling & Engagement, and Championship Culture.

About the position

The primary role of this position provides 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 Assistant Coach to be cognitive to all coaching and/or teaching duties associated with the program. This includes 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 Assistant Coach is expected to act on behalf of the Head Coach on any and all related program issues. The Assistant Coach assists the Head Coach in all aspects of a highly competitive Division I program.

Responsibilities

• Utilizes sound teaching techniques in the conduct of game preparation and practice sessions;
• Affords assistance in making strategic decisions in contest situations;
• Effectively prepares and organizes pre-season, in-season and post-season practice and skill sessions;
• Affords assistance in the evaluation of the student-athlete and prospective student athletes;
• Is aware and maintains a safe and healthy environment for the student-athlete.

Department, University, Conference and NCAA Compliance

• Abides by and promotes the aims, goals, and objectives established by the Athletic Director and Head Coach;
• Abides by and promotes the policies, guidelines, rules, regulations and criteria established by the Athletic Director and Head Coach for the student-athlete;
• Knows, understands and assures that the student-athlete abides by all the University, Atlantic 10, and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Rules and Regulations;
• Knows, understands and abides by all University, A10 and NCAA Rules and Regulations;
• Is aware and abides by the rules of confidentiality (Buckley Amendment);
• Understands and abides by proper procedures of due process in dealing with the student-athlete and staff;
• Follows the administrative procedures established by the University and written up in the Department Staff Handbook;
• Affords assistance in developing and implementing the overall recruiting strategy to effectively recruit the best student-athlete within the admissions, financial and regulatory constraints established by the University, A10, and NCAA.

Acts as Team Liaison

• To equipment office staff to order, monitor and control all team equipment;
• To business office and coaches - supports assistant on program operations, logistics, planning and team travel (meals, hotel, etc.)
;
• To academic services (study hall and tutoring).

Fundraising

Participates and assists Head Coach in fundraising efforts and special events.

Other duties

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

Required qualifications

• Master’s degree in related field or training and work experience at a level that equates to an advanced degree;
• Previous coaching experience at the high school or club level;
• Knowledge of NCAA Women’s Lacrosse rules / landscape;
• Skill of coaching both big picture and small sided skill related to lacrosse;
• Ability to have a flexible schedule due to travel, recruiting, etc.;
• Ability to work well with others;
• Ability to work well under pressure/stress;
• Ability to communicate effectively and efficiently.

Preferred qualifications

• Prior collegiate coaching experience;
• Knowledge, skill, abilities and other attributes that they have gained from previous collegiate coaching experiences.