Job Description

TITLE:                                Athletic Coach

REPORTS TO:                  Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service

Purpose:  The Athletic Coach will have the primary responsibility of providing the students of the Palmyra-Macedon Central School District with a world-class, relevant education in athletics.  The Athletic Coach will guide students in attaining the knowledge and skills necessary for success during their athletic career at Pal-Mac.  In addition, the Athletic Coach will be responsible for coaching student athletes in game strategies and techniques to prepare them for athletic competition. The position motivates student athletes to develop an appreciation of the sport.

Guiding Philosophy of a Palmyra-Macedon Athletic Coach

• Embrace learning for all.
• Create and enthusiastically be part of a collaborative culture.
• Value collective capacity through job-embedded professional learning.
• Focus on results and not activities.
• Implement change for its effect on increased student achievement and the overall enhancement of the organization.
• Embrace the model of continuous improvement.

Expected Results:

1. Athletic Coaches will field a team for competition by:

• Holding organizational meetings for team prospects and encourages potential athletes to participate in the sport.
• Assessing player’s skills and assigns team positions.

2. Athletic Coaches will prepare students for competition by: 

• Working with the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service in scheduling facilities for practices and competition.
• If a head coach, assigning duties to an assistant coach if applicable.
• If an assistant coach, assist the head coach in all functions of the position.
• Coaching and instructing players, individually or in groups, regarding the rules, regulations, equipment, and techniques of the sport.
• Observing players during competition and practice to determine the needs for individual or team improvement.
• Determining game strategy based on the team’s capabilities.
• Follows established procedures in the event of an athlete’s injury.

3. Positive relationships with students, families, and the community will be created and maintained by:

• Conferencing with parents/guardians/students, as necessary, regarding the athletic performance of the student athlete. 
• Modeling sports-like behavior and maintaining appropriate conduct towards players, officials, and spectators.
• Acting as a team representative and promotes the sport by communicating with the news media, booster clubs, service clubs, and other organizations.
• Participating in special activities to include parent’s night, banquets, award nights, and pep assemblies.

4. Athletic Coaches will monitor their athletes’ eligibility to play by:

• Establishing and maintaining standards of pupil behavior and providing proper supervision of athletes at all times.
• Monitoring the academic performance of team members to ensure that eligibility requirements are met; and encouraging student athletes to maintain a high academic standard.
• Following the established district policies of extra-curricular guidelines.

5. Athletic Coaches will fulfill their professional responsibilities by:

• Following state, regional, and district regulations governing the athletic program.
• Following established procedures for the proper care, maintenance, and requisitioning of equipment, supplies, and uniforms.
• Submitting team and individual awards to the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service.
• Maintaining eligibility forms, emergency data cards, insurance records, equipment inventory, and other related records.
• Modeling nondiscriminatory practices in all activities.

6. The Varsity athletic coach will oversee the entire program (7-12) by:

• Ensuring they are up to date with all credentials necessary to coach.
• Continually communicating with all the coaches in the program to ensure alignment of the program and cohesiveness of the coaching philosophy.
• Assisting the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service in selecting assistant coaches, volunteer coaches, and program assistants, when applicable.
• Assisting the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service in monitoring the performance of assistant coaches, volunteer coaches, and program assistants in their program and provide feedback at the end of the season.
• Submitting all necessary paperwork to the Athletic Office to ensure student athletes are eligible to play.
• Contacting student athletes when they are deemed academically ineligible and work with the student athlete to become eligible.
• Attending conferences with prior permission from the District.
• Ensuring all end of the season duties as outlined in the Athletics Handbook are completed on time. 
• Work with the booster clubs, if applicable.
• Being present and on time for all events, including practice, unless excused or when an emergency arises.
• Ensuring all student athletes display sportsmanship and the Pal-Mac Way during athletic contests, both home and away.
• Meeting with all coaches in the program and assign the Program Assistant, if applicable, to assist the teams in the program.

7. The Junior Varsity and Modified head coaches will oversee their specific program by: 

• Ensuring they are up to date with all credentials necessary to coach.
• Continually communicating with the Varsity coach to ensure alignment of the program and cohesiveness of the coaching philosophy.
• Assisting the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service in selecting assistant coaches, volunteer coaches, and program assistants, when applicable.
• Assisting the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service in monitoring the performance of assistant coaches, volunteer coaches, and program assistants in their program and provide feedback at the end of the season.
• Submitting all necessary paperwork to the Athletic Office to ensure student athletes are eligible to play.
• Working with coaches at other levels to develop a consistent program in which student athletes try out for teams 
• Contacting student athletes when they are deemed academically ineligible and work with the student athlete to become eligible.
• Attending conferences with prior permission from the District.
• Ensuring all end of the season duties as outlined in the Athletics Handbook are completed on time. 
• Work with the booster clubs, if applicable.
• Being present and on time for all events, including practice, unless excused or when an emergency arises.
• Ensuring all student athletes display sportsmanship and the Pal-Mac Way during athletic contests, both home and away.

8. Assistant coaches, volunteer coaches, and Program Assistants will assist the athletic program by:

• Ensuring they are up to date with all credentials necessary to coach.
• Reporting to the head coach and carrying out all tasks assigned.
• Working cooperatively with the head coach and other assistants,
• Is present and on time for all events, including practices, unless excused or when emergency arises. 
• Attending all meetings required by the head coach and/or Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service.
• Working with coaches at other levels to develop a consistent program in which student athletes try out for teams 
• Ensuring all student athletes display sportsmanship and the Pal-Mac Way during athletic contests, both home and away.
• As Program Assistant, working with all team levels as assigned by the Varsity coach.

9. Athletic Coaches will perform all other duties as assigned by the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service.  

Athletic Coaches will possess the following minimum qualities, qualifications, skills, and/or abilities:

• Possess the proper New York state certifications for the position.
• Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
• Evidence of an open, collaborative style that fosters a sense of teamwork and common purpose.
• Proven people skills and is an effective communicator with a sense of humor.  The teacher will be positive, approachable, and respectful of others.
• Willingness to become an active, engaged and visible member of the learning community.
• A clear communicator in both oral and written language.
• Work collaboratively with other staff members, administrators, students, and parents.
• Use problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
• Listens first.
• Ability to occasionally travel extended distances, including overnights.

Evaluation: Athletic Coaches will be evaluated by the Director of Physical Education, Athletics and Community Service using the District’s adopted annual review.  

Coaching Course Options

Non-Teacher Coaches Application