Middle School Softball Head Coach - SY 2026-27

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for providing leadership, instruction, supervision, and mentorship to student-athletes participating in the softball program. The Head Coach is responsible for developing student-athletes' softball skills while promoting teamwork, sportsmanship, discipline, character, academic responsibility, and personal growth. The Head Coach plans and conducts practices, prepares the team for competition, supervises student-athletes during practices and athletic events, communicates effectively with students, families, school staff, officials, and opposing teams, and ensures that the softball program operates in accordance with Nelson County Public Schools policies, school expectations, and applicable athletic rules and regulations. The Head Coach serves as a positive role model and contributes to an athletic environment that is safe, inclusive, respectful, and focused on student development.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Organizes, plans, and leads the middle school softball program in alignment with school division policies, school expectations, and athletic program standards.
• Plans and conducts team tryouts, selects student-athletes and managers, and organizes and leads practices and training activities.
• Develops and implements instruction and training that build fundamental softball skills, game strategies, teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship appropriate for student-athletes.
• Evaluates student-athlete performance and development and provides ongoing instruction, feedback, encouragement, and opportunities for improvement.
• Promotes a positive, inclusive, and respectful team environment that supports teamwork, accountability, confidence, sportsmanship, and personal growth.
• Supervises student-athletes during practices, games, team activities, travel, and other softball-related events, maintaining a safe and appropriate environment and reinforcing school expectations for conduct and academic responsibility.
• Prepares for and manages games and related logistics and statistics, including lineups and strategies.
• Manages team uniforms, equipment, and program supplies, including distribution, collection, inventory, and proper maintenance.
• Communicates effectively with student-athletes, parents/guardians, school administrators, athletic personnel, and other coaches regarding schedules, expectations, student progress, and program activities.
• Maintains accurate records and completes required administrative responsibilities and other program documentation as required.
• Ensures the program operates in accordance with school division policies, school procedures, athletic rules, safety requirements, and applicable coaching training and certification requirements, including appropriate procedures for responding to student-athlete injuries and first-aid needs.
• Coordinates with the Athletic Director to develop a policy for awards and submits a list of award winners at the end of the season and participates in special activities to include parent’s night, banquets, award nights, and pep assemblies.
• Collaborates with school and athletic staff to coordinate program operations and serves as a positive role model by demonstrating professionalism, integrity, responsibility, respect, and commitment to the educational and personal development of student-athletes.
• Attends staff development meetings, clinics, and other professional activities to improve coaching performance. ? Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be CPR/AED certified or willing to complete certification within 30 days of hire.
• Must be able to successfully demonstrate listening skills and communicating effectively orally, nonverbally, and in writing.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous head coaching experience at the middle school or club level preferred.
• Working knowledge about athletic program regulations.