Assistant Cross Country Coach FY27

Qualifications

• Ability to organize and supervise a total sports program.
• Previous successful coaching experience in assigned sport (major sports).
• Substantial knowledge of the technical aspects of the sport and commitment to examining new theories and procedures pertinent to the field.
• Serves as an appropriate role model for student athletes through instructions and actions.

Reports to the athletic director, who provides overall objectives and final evaluation in conjunction with the high school principals.

Responsibilities

General

• Instruct athletes in fundamental skills, strategy, and physical training to achieve individual and team success.
• Demonstrate behaviors that foster socially acceptable character development, self-discipline, self-confidence, and pride of accomplishment in student athletes.
• Upgrade knowledge and skills through coaching clinics, observations, and consultation.
• Understand the influence of athletic programs on the community’s image and balance public pressure for winning with objectives of good sportsmanship and mental health.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Thorough knowledge of all athletic policies approved by the Plainwell Community Schools' Board of Education and responsible for their implementation by the entire sports program staff.
• Knowledge of existing system, state, and league regulations; implements and interprets them consistently for staff.
• Understands proper administrative line of command and refers all requests or grievances through proper channels.
• Attends all required public, staff, and departmental meetings.

Staff Responsibilities

• Establishes the fundamental philosophy, skills, and techniques to be taught by staff.
• Designs conferences, clinics, and staff meetings to ensure staff awareness of the overall program.
• Trains and informs staff, encourages professional growth through clinic attendance.
• Delegates specific duties, supervises implementation, and evaluates staff effectiveness at season’s end.
• Maintains discipline, adjusts grievances, and works to increase morale and cooperation.
• Performs other duties assigned by the athletic director or principal.

Administrative Duties

• Assists the athletic director in scheduling, transportation, and requirements for tournaments and special sport events.
• Prepares for scheduled sport events or practices and adheres to facility times.
• Coordinates program with maintenance and school employees.
• Provides documentation for state and system requirements concerning physical examinations, parental consent, and eligibility.
• Ensures proper safeguards for maintenance and protection of assigned equipment sites.
• Advises the athletic director and recommends policy, method, or procedural changes.

Student Responsibilities

• Serves as a mentor to each athlete, promoting character traits such as trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
• Monitors student athletes' grades and conduct.
• Provides assistance, guidance, and safeguards for participants during practices, games, and travel.
• Communicates training rules and sport-specific regulations to athletes.
• Initiates programs and policies concerning injuries, medical attention, and emergencies.
• Completes and submits paperwork for disabling athletic injuries within 24 hours.
• Directs student managers, assistants, and statisticians.
• Enforces discipline, delineates due process procedures, and contacts parents when necessary.
• Assists athletes in college or advanced educational selection.

Finance and Equipment

• Participates in budgeting with the athletic director by establishing requirements for the next season.
• Recommends equipment guidelines regarding type, style, color, or technical specifications.
• Operates within budget appropriations and is accountable for all equipment.
• Collects costs for lost or unreturned equipment.
• Arranges for issuing, storing, and reconditioning of equipment and submits annual inventory records.
• Properly marks and identifies all equipment before issuing or storing.
• Monitors equipment rooms and coaches' offices, authorizing access as needed.
• Ensures athletes are only in authorized areas of the building at appropriate times.
• Examines locker rooms before and after practices and games for cleanliness.
• Responsible for cleanliness and maintenance of specific sport equipment.
• Secures all doors, lights, windows, and locks before leaving if custodians are not on duty.
• Instills respect for equipment and school property in players.

Public Relations

• Organizes preseason meetings for parents, coaches, players, and guests.
• Promotes the sport within the school by recruiting athletes not in other programs and externally through news media, little league programs, or other feasible means.
• Maintains quality, effectiveness, and validity of oral or written releases to local media.
• Maintains good public relations with news media, booster clubs, parents, officials, volunteers, and fans.
• Presents information to news media concerning schedules, tournaments, and results.