Assistant Head Coach

Job Title: Assistant Head Coach

Reports to: Head Coach

Department: Competitive Swim Team

FLSA Status: Full-Time — Exempt

Job Summary:

The Assistant Head Coach is responsible for leading the training and competitive development of our Senior Level Program, swimmers ages 15 and older from Gold and Bronze Squads, preparing them for high-level age group, sectional, national, and collegiate competition. This role supports the Head Coach in overseeing team operations, implementing advanced training strategies, and fostering a positive, high-performance culture. The Assistant Head Coach plays a critical role in athlete progression, mentorship, and leadership within the coaching staff.

Key Responsibilities

Athlete Development & Coaching

-     Lead Gold Squad Coach; maintains 25+ hours/week on deck / assist with one additional Squad, as needed.

-     Design and implement a high-performance training program tailored to the needs of high school-aged swimmers.

-     Focus on advanced stroke mechanics, endurance, speed, and race strategies for regional and national-level competition.

-     Develop individualized training plans for high-performance athletes when appropriate. (i.e Distance)

-     Responsible for sourcing and integrate dryland training, strength & conditioning, and injury prevention into the Senior Level program adhering to Squad-specific objectives.

-     Track and analyze athlete progress through data-driven performance metrics.

-     Foster mental toughness, leadership skills, and collegiate readiness among athletes.

Athlete Mentorship & College Recruiting

-     Collaborate with leadership to guide athletes through the college recruiting process, including communication with college coaches and NCAA compliance.

-     Help swimmers build swimming résumés, and recruiting profiles.

-     Collaborate with leadership to host college recruiting educational seminars once a year.

-     Support athletes in achieving long-term goals, whether it be collegiate swimming, national-level performance, or personal improvement.

-     Serve as a advocate and mentor to the Athlete Advisory Committee (AAC)

-    Foster a positive and competitive team culture that promotes discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Administrative & Team Leadership

-    Serve as a key leadership figure within the coaching staff, assisting the Head Coach with team-wide strategy.

-    Collaborate with the Head Coach on team planning, budgeting, and scheduling.

-    Communicate effectively with parents, athletes, and staff regarding training, meets, and expectations.

-    Oversee and mentor assistant coaches across senior level training groups.

-    Assist in the development and implementation of training philosophies across all competitive levels.

-    Maintain accurate records of athlete attendance, training progress, and performance outcomes.

-    Assist with team-wide events, fundraising efforts such as swim-a-thon, and community outreach.

-    Step into a Head Coach role when needed at practices and Senior Level competitions.

-    Assist leadership and BOD with writing and apply for grants related to facility improvements and athlete development.

Meet & Competition Oversight

-    Develop seasonal competition plans that align with athlete progression and team objectives.

-    Serve as meet entries chair for all hosted meets (w/Head Coach assistance)

-    Assist in meet selection, entries, and logistics, ensuring optimal racing opportunities for senior swimmers.

-    Assist Head Coach with team travel when needed, logistics and entries for travel and championship meets

-    Provide on-deck coaching at major meets, offering race strategies, warm-ups, and post-race feedback.

-    Stay current on USA Swimming rules, trends, and training methodologies.

Director of Senior Development Job Specifications (Requirements & Qualifications)

Education & Experience:

-    Bachelor’s degree in Sports Science, Exercise Physiology, Education, or a related field preferred.

-    Minimum 5 years of coaching experience, with at least 2-3 years coaching high school-aged swimmers at a competitive club or high school level.

-    Experience working with sectional, futures, or national-level athletes preferred.

-    Strong knowledge of dryland training, strength & conditioning, and sports psychology.

Certifications (Required or Preferred):

-    USA Swimming Coaching Certification in good standing.

-    CPR/AED & First Aid Certification required.

-    ASCA Level 2 or Higher preferred.

-    SafeSport Certification required.

-    Lifeguard Certification or Safety Training for Swim coaches required.

-    Additional strength & conditioning or sports performance certifications a plus.

Skills & Abilities:

-    Strong understanding of training periodization, and race strategy.

-    Excellent communication and leadership skills for guiding athletes, assistant coaches, and parents.

-    Ability to develop coaching plans for high-performance swimmers.

-    Strong team-building skills to foster positive relationships and mentorship.

-    Proficiency in meet management software (HyTek, SportsEngine Motion, etc.).

-    Ability to work collaboratively with the coaching staff and administrative team.