HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Head Football Coach

Lane College - Jackson, Tennessee

Position Type Full Time Job Shift Any Education Level 4 Year Degree Travel Percentage Up to 50% Category Education

The Head Football Coach provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and comprehensive management of the Lane College football program. The position is responsible for developing and sustaining a competitive NCAA Division II football program that reflects the College's mission, values, and commitment to academic excellence, student-athlete development, institutional integrity, and athletic achievement.

The Head Football Coach is expected to establish a culture of accountability, discipline, teamwork, academic success, and competitive excellence while providing a positive and supportive student-athlete experience.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to recruit, develop, mentor, and retain talented student-athletes; build and lead an effective coaching staff; manage program resources responsibly; and cultivate relationships that strengthen the visibility and reputation of Lane College.

The Head Football Coach serves as a representative of the College and is expected to demonstrate professionalism, ethical leadership, sound judgment, and a commitment to institutional priorities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide overall leadership, direction, and administration of the Lane College football program.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive football program strategy aligned with the Athletics Department's objectives and the College's institutional mission.
• Establish annual program goals, measurable performance objectives, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Create a positive, disciplined, inclusive, and accountable team culture emphasizing integrity, respect, professionalism, and academic achievement.
• Oversee all football operations, including practices, competitions, player development, team activities, and offseason programming.
• Establish clear expectations and standards of conduct for student-athletes, coaches, and program personnel.
• Maintain regular communication with the Director of Athletics concerning program performance, operational needs, personnel matters, and emerging concerns.
• Demonstrate sound decision-making and professional leadership in matters affecting the football program and the College.

Coaching, Competitive Performance, and Player Development

• Develop and implement offensive, defensive, and special teams strategies designed to maximize competitive performance.
• Direct practice planning, game preparation, game-day coaching, and performance evaluations.
• Establish a comprehensive player development program addressing technical skills, physical conditioning, leadership, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
• Collaborate with athletic trainers, strength and conditioning personnel, and other authorized professionals to support student-athlete health, safety, and performance.
• Evaluate individual and team performance and implement appropriate improvement strategies.
• Develop competitive goals and pursue sustained improvement within the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) and NCAA Division II.
• Ensure the program maintains appropriate standards for sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and competitive integrity.

Recruitment, Retention, and Roster Management

• Develop and execute a comprehensive recruiting strategy aligned with the College's enrollment objectives and institutional standards.
• Identify, evaluate, recruit, and retain academically qualified and athletically competitive student-athletes.
• Establish annual recruiting targets and roster management goals in collaboration with the Director of Athletics and appropriate campus departments.
• Maintain productive relationships with high school coaches, athletic programs, prospective student-athletes, families, and recruiting networks.
• Coordinate with Admissions, Financial Aid, Compliance, and other institutional departments throughout the recruitment and enrollment process.
• Monitor student-athlete retention, roster composition, and overall program stability.
• Ensure all recruiting activities comply with applicable NCAA, SIAC, and institutional requirements.
• Support recruitment practices that contribute to enrollment growth, student success, and long-term institutional sustainability.

Academic Achievement and Student-Athlete Success

• Promote academic excellence as a fundamental expectation of participation in the football program.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs, academic advisors, faculty, and student support services to monitor student-athlete academic progress.
• Establish and enforce academic accountability expectations, including class attendance, satisfactory academic progress, and degree completion.
• Monitor team academic performance, academic eligibility, and graduation outcomes.
• Develop strategies to improve student-athlete persistence, retention, and graduation rates.
• Encourage leadership development, character formation, community service, and responsible citizenship.
• Support the overall well-being of student-athletes and refer concerns to appropriate institutional resources.
• Foster an environment in which student-athletes are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.

Staff Leadership, Supervision, and Accountability

• Provide direct supervision, mentoring, professional development, and performance evaluation of assistant coaches and assigned program personnel.
• Establish clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations for all coaching staff.
• Conduct regular staff meetings and performance reviews to ensure alignment with program objectives.
• Recommend staffing needs and personnel actions in accordance with College policies and established Human Resources procedures.
• Ensure coaching staff complete required institutional, NCAA, and applicable professional training.
• Promote effective communication, collaboration, and accountability throughout the football program.
• Promptly address performance deficiencies, conduct concerns, and operational issues through appropriate institutional channels.
• Maintain a professional workplace environment consistent with Lane College's standards and expectations.

NCAA, Conference, and Institutional Compliance

• Ensure strict adherence to NCAA Division II, SIAC, and Lane College policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.
• Maintain working knowledge of NCAA recruiting, eligibility, practice, competition, and student-athlete participation requirements.
• Collaborate with the Athletics Compliance Office or designated compliance administrator to maintain program compliance.
• Ensure timely completion of required compliance documentation, certifications, and reporting.
• Promptly report suspected violations, misconduct, safety concerns, or other compliance issues through established institutional channels.
• Support institutional policies concerning Title IX, nondiscrimination, harassment prevention, student-athlete welfare, and ethical conduct.
• Cooperate fully with institutional reviews, investigations, audits, and compliance assessments.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality and safeguard student-athlete and institutional information.

Budget, Operations, and Resource Management

• Develop, administer, and monitor the football program's annual operating budget in coordination with the Director of Athletics.
• Demonstrate fiscal responsibility and ensure expenditures remain within approved budgetary limits.
• Oversee equipment, uniforms, supplies, team travel, scheduling, facilities coordination, and other operational requirements.
• Maintain accurate records of program expenditures, equipment inventories, and operational activities.
• Ensure procurement and purchasing activities comply with College policies and approval procedures.
• Coordinate with the Athletics Department and relevant campus offices to support effective facility utilization and game-day operations.
• Identify opportunities for cost efficiency and responsible allocation of institutional resources.
• Provide timely operational and financial reports as requested by the Director of Athletics.

Institutional Engagement, Fundraising, and Community Relations

• Serve as a positive and professional ambassador for Lane College and its Athletics Department.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with alumni, donors, community organizations, high schools, and other stakeholders.
• Participate in approved fundraising, advancement, and alumni engagement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Institutional Advancement and Athletics leadership to support football program fundraising priorities.
• Participate in campus events, community service activities, public relations opportunities, and institutional programs.
• Support initiatives that strengthen the reputation, visibility, and engagement of the College.
• Maintain positive and professional relationships with local and regional media in accordance with institutional communication protocols.

Institutional Collaboration and Administrative Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively with the Director of Athletics, College administration, faculty, staff, and campus departments.
• Support the strategic priorities and operational expectations established by the College.
• Participate in Athletics Department meetings, institutional committees, and professional development activities as assigned.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation relating to student-athletes, personnel, recruiting, and program operations.
• Respond promptly and professionally to administrative