Assistant Coach, Esports

Assistant Coach, Esports with Head Coach Duties for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU)

Part-Time / Seasonal (Approximately 3 hours per week)
Reports To: Head Esports Coach

Position Summary
Spring Arbor University Esports is seeking a knowledgeable and mentorship-minded Part-Time Head Coach for our Super Smash Bros. Ultimate (SSBU) team. The Head Coach will lead practice, create competitive strategies, review gameplay mechanics, and mentor student-athletes. This role requires approximately 3 hours per week, in person, during the competitive season; including some weekend tournaments.

Key Responsibilities

• Student Development: Serve as a mentor, supporting student-athletes in, spiritual maturity, balancing academic responsibilities, personal growth, and athletic performance.
• Strategy & Game Knowledge: Teach advanced SSBU fundamentals, matchup knowledge, stage selection strategies, and competitive mechanics (frame data analysis, neutral game, advantage/disadvantage states, etc).
• Practice Execution: Plan structured weekly practice sessions tailored to individual and team skill development. Teaching the plan to the SSBU captain or leading them yourself.
• VOD Review & Analysis: Analyze match recordings with players to identify areas for growth and refine tactical execution.
• Scouting: Research upcoming opponents - rosters, playstyles, and character compositions to build custom competitive game plans.
• Match Day Coordination: Support the team during official league matches (Mondays), providing feedback, tactical adjustments, and mental resets between games.
• Program Representation: Maintain professionalism, sportsmanlike conduct, and alignment with SAU Esports standards during all practices, matches, and team functions.
• Meeting with the Head Coach once a week to talk about how you and the team are doing.

Qualifications

• Required: Comprehensive knowledge of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate competitive rulesets, mechanics, and current meta.
• Preferred: Prior coaching, collegiate esports experience, or tournament-level competitive background.
• Skills: Strong communication, time management, organizational abilities, and mentorship.
• Availability: Flexible evening or afternoon availability to align with scheduled practice and match times (approx. 3 hours/week).

Basic Requirement
Applicants must be thoroughly supportive of the University's mission and values as an evangelical Christian university affiliated with the Free Methodist Church.

Experience working in multicultural academic environments preferred and individuals from diverse populations are encouraged to apply.

Spring Arbor University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it is both our moral and legal obligation to ensure that all employment practices are conducted in a nondiscriminatory manner. In compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable federal and state statutes, all employment decisions and practices, including recruiting, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, transfers, job classification, assignments, working conditions, educational assistance, terminations, layoffs, and return from layoffs, and all other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment, will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal or state law. We evaluate all employees and prospective employees strictly according to the requirements of the job.
As a Christian religious organization, Spring Arbor University operates under the religious exemption provided by federal law, which permits religious organizations, including educational institutions, to give employment preference to individuals who share the University's closely held religious beliefs. The University's hiring practices and equal employment policies are administered in full compliance with both federal and state law.