Boys' Basketball Coach - Clairfield Elementary School

About the Role

This position is for a Boys' Basketball Coach for grades 5–8, spanning upper elementary and middle school teams in Tennessee public schools. The coach leads all aspects of the athletic program while ensuring student-athletes maintain academic eligibility. Coaches in this grade band focus on fundamental skill development, teamwork, and introducing structural basketball concepts to prepare student-athletes for high school athletics. Middle school athletic programs are governed by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA) Middle School Division bylaws or individual county boards of education.

Responsibilities

Player Development & Instructional Coaching

• Teach essential mechanics including shooting form, ball handling, footwork, passing, and defensive positioning.
• Introduce team-oriented concepts such as half-court offenses, zone and man-to-man defenses, press breaks, and baseline out-of-bounds plays.
• Design and execute structured, daily practice plans that maximize gym time, keep players active, and simulate game conditions.
• Formulate game rosters, determine starting lineups, manage in-game adjustments, and ensure proper player rotations.

Administration & Program Operations

• Monitor player grades and behavioral reports to enforce school and state academic eligibility rules.
• Collaborate with the school Athletic Director to schedule regular season games, tournaments, referee crews, and gym practice slots.
• Issue, track, collect, and properly store school jerseys, warm-ups, basketballs, and training equipment.
• Organize and execute fair, transparent team tryouts at the start of the season and determine final team selections.

Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management

• Enforce all TSSAA state rules regarding season start dates, practice limitations, maximum game counts, and coaching credentials.
• Maintain up-to-date certifications in CPR/AED and emergency first aid.
• Properly identify and respond to student injuries or heat illness.
• Administer mandated Tennessee state training for concussion awareness and sudden cardiac arrest prevention for players and parents.
• Maintain strict supervision of student-athletes in the locker room, on the court, and during school bus transit to away games until every player is picked up.

Communication & Community Relations

• Conduct pre-season parent meetings to outline team expectations, team fees, game schedules, and travel logistics.
• Model and hold players accountable to a high standard of sportsmanship, respect for referees, and positive representation of the school district.
• Coordinate team fundraisers, concession stand duties, or gate admissions alongside a booster club or school administration to fund tournament entries and new equipment.

Requirements

• Preference is often given to full-time licensed teachers within the school building, though districts may hire "Non-Faculty Coaches" if they meet strict state criteria.
• Must successfully pass an official Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and FBI fingerprint-based criminal background check.
• Non-faculty coaches must complete the NFHS (National Federation of State High School Associations) Coaching Principles and Sports First Aid courses prior to coaching their first game.

Physical Demands

Active physical presence required to demonstrate basketball drills, stand for long durations, and travel for evening games.

Schedule

Active Season: The official middle school basketball calendar in Tennessee typically runs from mid-October through early February.

Weekly Hours: Expect 10 to 15 hours per week dedicated to after-school practices and evening games, excluding weekend tournament travel.