Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

About the role

Rice University is seeking an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach to assist in the development and delivery of comprehensive sport performance programs for its NCAA Division I student-athletes. The position reports to the Director of Olympic Sports Performance and Strength Training.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, supervise, and evaluate strength and conditioning programs for assigned teams and student-athletes.
• Develop annual, seasonal, monthly, and weekly training plans that align with sport demands and competition schedules.
• Modify training programs based on injury status, training age, performance goals, and individual athlete needs.
• Instruct and enforce proper exercise technique and weight room safety procedures.
• Motivate and educate student-athletes to maximize performance and personal development.
• Adhere to industry-accepted, scientifically supported methodologies and best practices.
• Conduct performance testing and evaluate results to support programming decisions.
• Assist with the collection, management, analysis, and reporting of athlete performance data.
• Maintain accurate athlete records, testing results, and training documentation.
• Evaluate and communicate program effectiveness through objective performance metrics.
• Maintain regular and professional communication with assigned coaching staffs regarding athlete progress, program implementation, scheduling, and performance-related matters.
• Work collaboratively with athletic trainers, sports medicine personnel, sports science staff, nutrition staff, and other performance team members.
• Communicate effectively with student-athletes regarding training objectives, expectations, and performance outcomes.
• Assist with daily operations of athletic performance facilities.
• Maintain all required certifications and professional memberships.
• Complete reports, documentation, and administrative responsibilities in a timely manner.
• Adhere to all NCAA, American Athletic Conference, Rice University, and Department of Athletics policies and procedures.
• Participate in continuing education and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Performance, Physical Education, or a related field.
• 2+ years of collegiate, professional, private-sector, or equivalent strength and conditioning experience.
• Current Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) or Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified (SCCC) through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA).
• Current CPR/AED certification.

Preferences

• Master's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Performance, Sport Science, or a related field.
• Experience working with NCAA Division I student-athletes.
• Experience independently managing assigned collegiate teams and serving as the primary strength and conditioning coach for those programs.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing periodized training programs.
• Experience conducting performance testing and athlete evaluations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and data management systems.
• Experience creating and maintaining athlete performance reports, dashboards, or monitoring systems using Microsoft Excel or similar data management platforms.
• Experience utilizing performance monitoring systems and objective athlete data to guide programming decisions.
• Experience collaborating within an integrated performance model, including sports medicine, sports science, nutrition, and sport coaching staffs.
• Demonstrated ability to learn, implement, and evaluate emerging technologies and performance tools.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple teams, schedules, and administrative responsibilities simultaneously.