Head Coach

About the Job

UMD Head Coach - Softball

PM 217707

Job Code 9791

Position Summary

The Head Coach develops and maintains a competitive NCAA Division II softball program in a manner compatible with department of athletics and university values, and in compliance with NCAA and NSIC conference rules and regulations. The Head Coach supports the UMD department of athletics mission of excellence in the Classroom, Community and Competition while furthering UMD's strategic plan.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Leadership and Coaching - 30%

• Support the UMD department of athletics mission of excellence in the Classroom, Community and Competition while furthering UMD's strategic plan.
• Plan, organize, and conduct practices, competition preparation, video review, individual development plans, and training in collaboration with appropriate athletics health and performance staff.
• Develop student-athletes athletically, academically, personally, and as leaders; foster accountability, sportsmanship, and a positive team culture.
• Serve as an integral part of achieving community service goals.
• Manage an allocated operating budget.

Recruiting and Roster Management - 30%

• Develop and execute a comprehensive recruiting and roster-management strategy for prospects and as applicable transfer candidates, consistent with NCAA, admissions, financial aid and institutional requirements.
• Oversee official and unofficial visits and build and maintain relationships with club, high school and other softball stakeholders.
• In collaboration with compliance and athletics administration, maintain accurate and timely recruiting documentation and educate prospective and current student-athletes on applicable institutional and NCAA processes related to the evolving Division II environment, including NIL, transfer processes, roster management, and other permissible student-athlete benefits.

Staff Leadership and Program Administration - 15%

• Hire, supervise, develop and evaluate assistant coaches and other assigned program staff.
• Manage program budget, equipment/apparel, scheduling, travel, and daily operations in alignment with department policies.
• Identify, evaluate, recruit, enroll, retain, and re-recruit student-athletes who can succeed academically and athletically and represent the university positively.
• Collaborate with various areas, including, but not limited to compliance, advising, admissions, financial aid, communications, development, finance, facilities and operations.

Academic Success and Student-Athlete Support - 10%

• Promote academic achievement, retention, graduation, and personal development of student-athletes.
• Work with academic support staff to monitor progress toward degree, class attendance, and eligibility.
• Support student-athlete health, safety, and well-being and reinforce guidance from appropriate university and athletics professionals.

External Relations and Development - 10%

• Support fundraising, alumni relations, community engagement, camps/clinics, marketing, promotional appearances, and other external initiatives that advance the program and department mission.
• Participate in conference, NCAA, and institutional meetings and events as requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.
• Represent the university and program in a positive manner with alumni, donors, fans, media, campus partners, the softball community and the general public.

Compliance and Governance - 5%

• Ensure full compliance with NCAA, and university rules, policies and procedures.
• Promote a culture of compliance and ethical conduct among student-athletes, coaches, staff, and program constituents.
• Complete required education, reports, and documentation on time, including those related to recruiting, eligibility, camps/clinics, NIL-related institutional processes, transfer matters, business expenses, and other applicable areas.

Physical and Travel Requirements

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and travel extensively for competition, recruiting and program responsibilities.
• Ability to demonstrate and instruct softball skills in practice and training environments.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree.
• Minimum of three years combined progressive experience as a head or assistant coach at the collegiate and/or professional level.
• Demonstrated experience in recruiting student-athletes.
• Knowledge of NCAA and NSIC Division II rules and regulations.
• Leadership, organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students, families, alumni, donors, campus partners, and external constituents.
• Demonstrated commitment to academic success, student-athlete well-being, and building an inclusive team culture.
• Demonstrated understanding of the evolving Division II athletics landscape, including NIL, transfer processes, roster/scholarship management, and related student-athlete benefit rules and institutional processes, with the ability to communicate those processes accurately and compliantly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MA/MS degree.

About the Department

The UMD department of athletics offers balanced and highly competitive programs. The Bulldogs compete in nine womens and seven men's varsity sports as members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC), the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Nationally, UMD belongs to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and competes at the Division II level except for Division I womens and mens hockey.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $64,000- $68,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the

time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures

that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while

maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and

equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates

will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

How To Apply

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

Diversity

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Employment Requirements

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

About University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD)

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S. News and World Reports "Americas Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university. A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMDs many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.