Head Coach, Field Hockey

Description

Integral to the success of any athletic program is the head coach—the person who creates and sustains a vision that embodies the purpose and the goals of the Department of Athletics at Mercersburg Academy. The first objective for each head coach at Mercersburg should be to provide a transformative experience for every participant in their program, regardless of level of play or area of contribution.

Vision is fostered and sustained by serving as an ambassador for the school, teaching skill sets alongside determination and commitment, modeling sportsmanship, and by providing direction for all of the teams and individuals within a sport. Paramount to this direction is the consideration of the health, safety, and welfare of the adult staff and student athletes within the program. 

Relationships 

The Director of Athletics is the primary supervisor for all coaches. The Director of Athletics works with the school’s administrative leadership to determine coaching assignments and any associated responsibilities. 

The head coach works with the school’s athletic leadership to coordinate the operation and performance of his/her program. Head coaches also work with the Associate Directors of Athletics in several areas and collaborate, as needed and as appropriate, with staff members in the department, including, but not limited to, athletic trainers, the athletic development coach, and facilities personnel. 

Expectations and Responsibilities 

Leadership 

• Establish a vision for the program and demonstrate a commitment to the mission and the purpose of the program. Communicate and embody the competitive and cooperative nature of athletics, the need for teaching and learning, and the drive for achievement and improvement. 
• Effectively set and communicate short, intermediate, and long-term goals and execute action steps with the coaching staff and team(s). 
• Create and maintain an atmosphere of trust and respect for, and between, athletes and coaches through demonstration and application of integrity and high ideals in the sport and in relationships with athletes and coaches. 
• Exercise self-control and sound judgment when engaged with staff and athletes during practices and competitive events, as well as beyond the athletic venue. 
• Consistently apply and strongly adhere to the rules of competition relative to the sport and a respectful approach to both victory and defeat. 

Organization and Instruction 

• Prepare and execute practices, contests, and other components of team operations effectively and efficiently. 
• Demonstrate proficient technical knowledge and strategies. Effectively convey these skills in teaching and guiding athletes of all abilities in the sport. 

Community 

• Promote and support all athletic teams. Emphasize, encourage, and recognize academic endeavors and other areas of school life beyond the athletic sphere. 
• Explore and encourage participation by athletes and coaches in charitable and community oriented activities. 

Administrative/Program Management 

• Adhere to athletic department philosophy, policies, guidelines, and calendar items. 
• Work with the athletic leadership to effectively administer and monitor team operations, including preseason preparations and post-season assessments, coaching assignments, scheduling, team travel, and team inventory maintenance. 

Admission 

Independent schools rely on an admission process for enrollment, an exercise that involves all faculty to some extent and specifically involves athletic coaches in many instances. The basic expectations of head coaches are:

• Participate in Admission Open Houses and Revisit Days. 
• Respond to inquiries from prospective students who express interest in the coach’s sport. 
• Respond to inquiries from prospective students who are referred to the coach by the admission office. 
• Meet prospective students who visit campus (outside of open house and revisit days) or arrange for assistant coaches to contact and/or meet with prospective students, when needed. 
• Communicate on a regular basis with admission officers during the admission process regarding prospective students. 
• Coaches are encouraged to initiate interest in the school and their sport by also cultivating appropriate relationships with college coaches, youth clubs and organizations, and other connections that can result in admission inquiries and applications. Any outreach is guided by school admission parameters and Mid-Atlantic Prep League recruiting rules. 

Sports Communication 

• Facilitate submission of contest results to designated media outlets. 
• Submit cumulative and individual statistics to the athletic department for archiving at the end of each season. 

Coaching Development, Advancement, and Training 

Engage in sport specific associations, attend clinics/conferences, and embrace opportunities that bring development in coaching methods, strategies, and approaches beyond workshops and seminars provided by the school. Head coaches should engage in these extended advancement opportunities at least once each two years. 

Note: All coaches complete mandated courses relative to athlete health and safety on a consistent basis, as directed by the Department of Athletics, in concurrence with applicable state and national rules and laws. 

College Recruiting 

Provide appropriate and accurate guidance to athletes who desire to compete on the collegiate level. This involves knowledge of opportunities and NCAA rules, coordinating recruiting video production, communicating with college coaches, and generally being active in the advising process for athletes and their families. 

Reflection and Review 

All coaches engage in reflection and provide feedback about their experience and their contributions to the program after each season. Coaches also receive feedback from athletic leadership and from student-athlete surveys.