High School Head Coach-Wrestling

High School Head Coach Stipend Description-Wrestling November to February, 2027

Position Summary: The High School Head Coach is responsible for leading, mentoring, and developing student-athletes in grades 9-12 while overseeing all administrative and instructional aspects of their specific sports program. This role involves coordinating logistics, ensuring strict compliance with school and NJSIAA regulations, and supervising assistant coaching staff. Ultimately, the Head Coach is expected to foster a disciplined, inclusive, and competitive team culture that prioritizes academic success, sportsmanship, and character development both on and off the field. 

Reports to: High School Athletic Director and High School Director (Principal) 

Stipend Amount: $5,000+ (Dependent on sport) ($6,250)

Qualifications & Educational Requirements:

NJSIAA Coaching Requirements:

1. CPR/AED / Basic First Aid Certification

• Requirement: Valid adult CPR/AED and Basic First Aid certification. Fully online CPR certifications are not accepted; a hands-on skills assessment is required.
• Reference: Must be a certification course approved by the Department of Education (DOE).

2. NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching

• Requirement: Mandatory completion prior to first employment as a coach.

3. Annual NFHS Training Requirements

• NFHS Concussion in Sports Course
• NFHS Heat Illness Prevention Course
• NFHS Sudden Cardiac Arrest Course

4. One-Time NFHS Training Requirements

• NFHS Implicit Bias Course
• BeNice Program 

5. Department of Education (DOE) Certification

Public school coaches must hold at least one of the following official credentials in addition to satisfying all preceding NJSIAA requirements:

1. NJ Teaching Certification
2. NJ Instructional Substitute Credential (Requires a minimum of 30 college credits)

Pre-Employment Clearance Requirements:

• Background Check: Successful completion of a criminal history background check (N.J.S.A 18A:6-7.1).
• Medical Fitness: Proof of physical health adequate to fulfill job functions (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-6.2).
• Tuberculosis Test: Passing results on the state-required Mantoux Tuberculin Test (N.J.A.C. 6A:32-6.3).

Working Conditions:

• Hours: Requires non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, for practices, travel, and games.
• Stipend Expectations: Game attendance occurs outside regular school hours and is fully covered by the stipend; no additional hourly compensation is provided.
• Professional Conduct: Requires maintaining the highest level of ethical and professional behavior across all athletic environments and interactions.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Travel Supervision: Travel with the team on school-provided transportation to all away competitions, remaining with student-athletes until they are safely picked up or returned to campus.
• Schedule Coordination: Coordinate schedules for practices, games, and tournaments across the high school program.
• Regulations & Compliance: Comply with federal laws, NJ Department of Education guidelines,  NJSIAA regulations, and iLearn policies
• Medical Clearance: Partner with the school Athletic Trainer and/or school Nurse to verify that all participating athletes have cleared physical examinations.
• Staff Certification: Ensure assistant coaches and volunteers complete required certifications (CPR/AED/First Aid, NFHS Concussion, Sudden Cardiac, and Heat Illness Prevention Course).
• Asset Accountability: Track and collect all distributed uniforms to ensure they are returned undamaged.
• Fundraising: Plan and execute program-specific fundraising activities as needed.
• Safety & Emergency Readiness: Follow school emergency protocols, participate in safety drills, and ensure safe participation for all student-athletes.
• Off-Season & Community Pipeline: Provide student-athletes with opportunities for off-season conditioning or workouts, and organize at least one annual outreach or clinic event for middle school/youth levels to foster long-term program interest.
• League & County Representation: Serve as the program's official representative by maintaining mandatory attendance at all scheduled league, conference, and county coaches' meetings

Team Coordination:

• Personnel Management: Recruit, train, and supervise assistant coaches and program volunteers alongside the Athletic Director.
• Instructional Leadership: Conduct high-quality practices focused on skill development, conditioning, and sportsmanship.
• Strategy Development: Establish competitive strategies and training regimens appropriate for high school and varsity play.
• Logistics & Travel: Coordinate team transportation needs and communicate bus details to administration and security.
• Athlete Supervision: Maintain continuous supervision of student-athletes during all practices, games, travel, and events.
• Game Presence & Representation: Maintain a physical presence at all team's athletic events and professionally represent the school with officials, opposing teams, and the community.

Student Engagement:

• Promote Participation: Actively encourage widespread student enrollment and involvement in the athletic program.
• Academic Monitoring: Monitor student-athlete academic performance and collaborate with school staff to support their success.
• Culture Building: Foster a positive team culture centered on respect, discipline, responsibility, and sportsmanship.
• Athlete Evaluation: Provide student-athletes with constructive feedback and clear improvement plans.

Communication:

• Primary Liaison: Serve as the main point of contact for parents, students, and assistant coaches regarding the program.
• Information Distribution: Promptly communicate schedules, logistics, and updates to parents, athletes, and administration.
• Parent Engagement: Lead bi-annual parent meetings to review program expectations, registration, and medical clearance.
• Incident Reporting: Immediately report player injuries, disqualifications, or disciplinary actions to school administration and the Athletic Director.