University of Health Sciences and Pharmacy in St. Louis is seeking an assistant coach for women’s lacrosse to begin immediately. The position is primarily focused on instructing student athletes in how to perform their sport and recruiting players. By working closely with the head coach, assistant coaches focus on player and team sport-specific skills and in-game coaching. Secondary duties include supporting the head coach in aspects of recruiting, planning, and team management and other athletic department duties. The ideal candidate will have a well-rounded knowledge of lacrosse skills and should be able to instruct and evaluate student-athletes and teamwork at the collegiate varsity and junior varsity levels. This salaried, year-round position is benefits eligible and requires a significant time commitment during the sport season with a more flexible commitment outside the season.

The UHSP Eutectics participate in National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) sports as a member of the American Midwest Conference. National Associate of eSports (NACE) for eSports. Teams include men's and women's eSports, basketball, soccer, cross-country, track and field, volleyball, women's softball, cheer, bowling, lacrosse, golf, and men’s baseball as well as rugby.

Duties and Responsibilities 

Coaching, teaching and student development and support (at least 50% time and effort during competition season). 

• Provide one-on-one and team development through skill and sport instruction.  Assistant coaches leverage the head coach and other resources in evaluation of applicable teaching techniques, development of drills, practices, and strategy for players and the team. 

• Demonstrate sport skills and provide feedback to individuals and teams designed to provide continuous improvement.   

• Actively participate in and demonstrate sport specific actions and skills as well as conduct physical activities and drills with players and the team to ensure proper technique and execution. This may include running, jumping, lifting, and other sport-specific skills and physical activities as required. 

• Support head coaches in preparation and execution of practices, drills and game strategy. This may include video review with coaches and players. Utilize assessment tools and department driven surveys to continue to improve. 

• Support head coaches during games to teach, correct, refocus, or modify player actions to align with team strategy. 

• Travel with the team and provide supervision, leadership and direction for student-athletes in the absence of the head coach. 

• Actively monitor, support, provide guidance, and continuous follow up to ensure player health and welfare and student-athlete academic success. Identify support needs and refer to appropriate support services as necessary.  Communicate with head coach to ensure coordination of health and welfare, academic and athletic support. 

Recruiting support 

• Support head coaches in recruiting to meet designated roster goals, contribute to the execution of annual recruiting plan focused on building a sustainable pipeline of student athletes by helping the head coach with prospective player identification, evaluation, contacts, tours, etc. Evaluate potential players as directed over video, and/or via travel for in-person evaluate. Provide information and feedback for head coach. Support recruiting policies and procedures, keep and update appropriate records. 

• Utilizes University systems to assist in tracking prospective student athletes.  

Administrative support 

• Maintain working knowledge of UHSP Athletic Department Operations Guidelines, UHSP Student Athlete Handbook and Student Code, association and conference bylaws and rules pertaining to recruiting and eligibility standards for incoming and continuing student-athletes. Maintain knowledge of sport-specific rules. 

• Support head coach with team travel logistics and expense requests, responsible for team during team travel for competition. 

• Support budget-relieving fundraising opportunities for the team by helping the head coach carry out team fundraising activities.  

• Collaborate and partner with campus departments such as Admissions and Financial Aid.  

• Attend department meetings and maintain regular office hours 

• Secondary duties include game management for other sports, assisting with team/player promotion and recruiting through social media, and other athletic department duties. 

• Exhibit and promote UHSP values and support institutional mission 

Physical Demands 

• During non-practice, and non-game times, office environment work and related physical requirements exist including sitting most of the time, use of a keyboard, mouse and monitor. 

• Required to stand and walk during practices and games. Sufficient mobility and stamina needed to manage multi-hour practices and games that may occur daily during the season as well as travel to include long periods of time sitting on buses or airplanes. 

• Work environment for practices and games vary by sport but may include indoor gymnasium, courts, and outdoor fields with exposure to weather conditions and temperatures.  

• Ability to demonstrate necessary skills for the sport 

• Coaches must possess the physical ability to show techniques specific to sport action (like hitting, fielding, throwing, kicking, shooting, etc.) to teach and lead drills and demonstrate plays. May be required to lead conditioning for time that involves light participation in warm-ups or fitness routines. 

• Transport or move necessary equipment for use at practices and games. Must be able to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally. 

Work Environment 

• Required to be physically present for all games and practices to ensure effective coaching and support for student-athletes. Some recruiting work may be in-person requiring travel and/or presence on campus. 

• Time in the office is required to foster a supportive and engaging environment given student-athletes reside on-campus. More time is generally spent in the office August through May than in the summer months.  

To succeed in this role, you will need:

• Bachelor’s degree strongly preferred. In lieu of a bachelor’s degree consideration may be given to candidates with some college experience and substantial work experience coaching.
• Playing experience at a collegiate level strongly preferred
• All-around knowledge of the game, including strategies and skills, as well as a solid comprehension of film analysis, scouting, and recruiting
• Prior coaching experience strongly desired, particularly at the collegiate level. In lieu of collegiate coaching experience, high school or club coaching experience or demonstrated knowledge and ability to teach the sport is required
• Professional and leadership acumen: ability to learn NAIA and conference rules and regulations
• Excellent communication with players, recruits, and parents; understanding the demanding academic climate at UHSP; ability to assess student behavior/athletic ability; appropriate behavior befitting an empathetic authority figure in a university setting
• Driver’s license and transportation for off-campus practice facilities

If this sounds like the job for you here is information on how to apply:

Follow the simple steps to apply online and submit a cover letter, resume/CV and references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Benefits:

UHSP offers a great benefits package including excellent, affordable health insurance, dental, vision, University-paid life and disability insurance, voluntary coverage, retirement match, and generous parental and caregiver leave, personal and University holiday, sick and vacation time. University employees have access to library resources, fitness facilities, cafeteria and university events.

AA/EOE Statement:

The University's policy of non-discrimination is congruent with our core values of discovery, diversity, inclusion, integrity, respect, and service.  Together, our policy and core values foster an inspiring culture to advance the University's mission and equal opportunities in employment, our academics, programs, and services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship (where prohibited by federal law), genetic information, veteran status or status as an individual with a disability consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.