Boys Cross Country Program Head/Varsity Head Coach

Boys' Cross Country Program Head/Varsity Head Coach

Job Description

Heathwood Hall Episcopal School is actively seeking coaching talent to oversee our boys' cross country program at all levels, serving as the Program Head and as the Varsity Head Coach.

Position responsibilities may include the following:

• Coordinates the team in accordance with the mission and values of the Heathwood Hall Athletic Department and works closely with the lower-level coaching staff, Director of Athletics, and Head of School.
• Builds a program-wide culture of skill development, teamwork, and healthy competition.
• Communicates weekly scheduling to students, parents, and the athletic administration, including practices, workouts, and games during the in-season, off-season, and summer.
• Assists in game and practice course maintenance and prep.
• Maintains uniforms and practice gear/equipment, including keeping inventory of all uniforms and organizing equipment in the storage shed.
• Encourages participation by Middle School and Upper School student-athletes on campus through team interest communications and meetings, and collaborates with other members of the coaching staff at all levels.
• Maintains continuous communication with everyone associated with the program, including, but not limited to, parents, athletes, other coaches, and the Athletic Director, when there are interruptions to the normal program, such as weather delays, practice cancellations, event postponements, or transportation needs. This includes weekly emails with details on upcoming meets, practice schedules, meet and travel volunteer needs, etc.
• Defines and communicates clear program and team expectations to athletes, parents, and other coaches within the program, including how runners are assigned to specific meets, team conduct rules, appropriate actions for escalating concerns, and attendance policies for school, practices, and meets.
• The Program Head will also be expected to produce a meet schedule that provides meaningful opportunities for all athletes on the roster to compete in a skill-appropriate manner, including lower-level teams within the program.

Performance areas that must stand out for Heathwood Coaches include:

Rapport

A coach must be able to develop good rapport with a wide range of individuals and groups: the student body, the professional staff (faculty, administration, maintenance), the community as a whole, spectators, officials, fellow coaches in the district, media representatives, and parents. Good rapport and an image of competency, care, and professionalism are invaluable for the coach.

Organization

The school expects its coaching staff to put maximum effort towards organizing and managing a multifaceted program that includes ownership of communicating needs with lower-level coaches and the Athletic Department administration, including everything from transportation needs, gear and equipment tracking, hiring assistant coaches, designing team events, maintaining accurate rosters and athlete paperwork, practice schedules, schedule changes, and game day expectations and logistics.

Leadership

Diligence, enthusiasm, honesty, and a love for the game are all part of the professional pride that any coach should exhibit. Personal appearance, dress, and physical condition should be exemplary. Dressing appropriately for practice, creating and following practice schedules, and maintaining a positive attitude are very important. This also includes building positive connections with lower-level coaches on your staff and fostering an environment of growth and learning that can be implemented on an age-appropriate scale.

Discipline

Every facet of discipline is the coach's responsibility to communicate and coordinate with the Athletic Director. Individually, the coach becomes the model of all that the program represents - observation of school codes, training rules, rules of the game, ideals of good sportsmanship, the behavior of participants throughout the season (at home and away), and the conduct of the crowd - especially where the student body is concerned. The desire to do well, to win well, and to lose well should be emphasized. Staff, players, and spectators should be motivated toward established goals. The Program Head is a resource for any issues that arise.

The stipend is commensurate with the position level and applicant experience. Heathwood Hall coaching agreements are seasonal (the specific season is highlighted above), and continuation is subject to review at the conclusion of the season.