Head Coach | Donner Swim Club (DSC) & Columbus North HS (CNHS)
Location: Columbus, Indiana
The Opportunity
Donner Swim Club (DSC) and Columbus North High School (CNHS) are seeking a dynamic, visionary Head Coach to lead our swim teams in a joint Club and High School Head Coach (combined position). Located in Columbus, Indiana, conveniently situated midway between Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Louisville.
*This position will dually report to DSC Board (for Club) and CNHS Athletic Director (for HS).
Donner Swim Club (DSC)
Formed in 1948 and incorporated in 1965, DSC is one of Indiana’s oldest and most successful swim clubs and we are looking for a Head Coach to lead the next era of our program’s growth and excellence.
DSC provides our nearly 150 athletes with access to premier competition while maintaining a deeply supportive, family-oriented culture; these athletes are spread across the swim groups of Novice, Developmental, Age Group, and Senior and our Dive Team. We believe great programs develop more than just fast swimmers; they build confident, resilient young people. We are looking for a leader to elevate DSC—competitively, culturally, and organizationally.
The Role
The Head Coach serves as the strategic, cultural, and competitive leader of DSC, reporting to the Board of Directors. While administrative competency is important, DSC prioritizes customer-building, technical excellence, and athlete development above all else. You will partner with our coaching staff to ensure DSC remains the premier choice for families seeking both performance and community.
Key Responsibilities
Culture & Community Leadership
- Represent DSC: Act with professionalism and integrity within the team, the Indiana Swimming LSC, and the broader swimming community.
- Advance the Mission: Embody and advance the club’s values, fostering a family-oriented environment where athletes feel they belong.
- Character First: Promote a culture where progress, growth, and character matter as much as results; build a team identity centered on effort and resilience.
- Communication: Maintain proactive, clear, and professional communication with athletes, parents, officials, and coaching peers.
- Community Outreach: Advance community interest in the sport and fitness of swimming, including oversight of lessons and Masters programs.
Staff Leadership & Development
- Mentor Talent: Recruit, mentor, and retain a strong coaching staff, serving as a visible and approachable leader across all groups.
- Technical Up-skilling: Provide ongoing professional development and align the staff around a shared philosophy of athlete-centered development.
- Build Depth: Ensure continuity and leadership depth across all levels of the coaching pipeline.
Athlete Development & Coaching
- Lead the Senior Group: Actively coach the senior group while providing hands-on support and guidance to age-group coaches.
- Strategic Training: Design and implement training plans tailored to swimmers of various abilities and competitive goals, promoting long-term retention.
- Excellence & Confidence: Cultivate technical excellence, smart training progression, and racing confidence.
- Collegiate Planning: Support collegiate recruiting guidance and long-term athlete planning, balancing high performance with athlete well-being.
Program Operations & Administration
- Board Partnership: Collaborate on program direction, budgeting, and long-term planning; maintain professional and proactive communication with the Board.
- Systems & Finance: Demonstrate familiarity with club management systems and manage program budgets and financial operations effectively.
- Promotion & Growth: Utilize social media and communication platforms to promote team culture and achievements; support fundraising and community partnerships.
- Logistics: Oversee meet planning (including DSC’s tradition of hosting successful invitationals and championships), team travel, and scheduling.
- Compliance: Ensure full compliance with USA Swimming and Indiana Swimming requirements.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Culture-Builder: An exceptional culture-builder first and a strong technician second.
- Proven Track Record: A record of coaching swimmers to competitive success and developing athletes across all stages of the pipeline.
- Growth-Oriented: Motivated to take an already strong program and help it grow into something truly special.
- Energy & Presence: Brings high energy, visibility, and a professional presence to the deck and the community.
Qualifications
- Experience: 3-5 years of coaching experience; prior Head Coach or Lead Coach experience is strongly preferred.
- Certifications: Current USA Swimming certifications and Safe Sport compliance.
- Availability: Flexible schedule for early mornings, evenings, weekend meets, and travel.
Facilities & Compensation
DSC swimmers benefit from three excellent facilities:
- Columbus North HS Natatorium: 8-lane 25m/y facility, separate diving well, with dedicated spectator seating.
- Columbus East HS Natatorium: 8-lane 25y facility with dedicated spectator seating.
- Donner Park Pool: Outdoor 8-lane 50m facility, separate diving well, with dedicated spectator seating.
Compensation:
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
- Professional development support.
- Engaged Board partnership and a competitive athlete pipeline with significant growth potential.
Columbus North High School (CNHS)
CNHS within the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation (BCSC) is a public high school of 2,100 students with a strong academic and athletic reputation. In swimming, they have 10 Boys State Titles and 31 top-5 finishes to go along with 1 Girls State Title and 14 top-5 finishes. The CNHS Natatorium has an 8-lane 25 meter pool with a moveable bulkhead to adjust to 25 yards for competition, along with a full-size separate diving well with two 1-meter boards and one 3-meter board.
This position will report to CNHS Athletic Director who provides overall objectives and final evaluation in conjunction with the CNHS principal. They will be expected to have a thorough knowledge of all athletic policies approved by the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation’s School Board of Education and is responsible for their implementation by their entire staff.
Key Responsibilities:
Administrative Duties
- Coordinate: Work with with Athletic Director in scheduling and providing transportation and requirements while also preparing to host scheduled sport events or practices, coordinates with maintenance and school employees.
- Compliance: Maintain documentation on to fulfill state and system requirements and provide proper safeguards.
- Communicate: Maintain and report scores and team statistics to local media and athletic director at the end of season.
- Consult: Advises Athletic Director on recommended policy, method or procedural changes.
- Maintenance: Ensure equipment, systems and resources are properly maintained and accounted for.
Athlete Coaching & Responsibilities
- Mentor the Athlete: Provide direction on technique and training.
- Mentor the student: Serve as mentor to athlete to promote expected traits of trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship and discipline to academics.
- Protect the student: Provide assistance, guidance and safeguards to athletes through actions and focus and ensures training rules and medical protocols are followed.
Qualifications:
- Experience: Coaching experience, HS coaching experience preferred.
- Certification: Completion of Concussion Certification and the National Federation of High School Sports Coaching Accreditations with compliance to IHSAA coaching certification regulations.
Compensation:
- Competitive stipend based on experience.
- Less than 12 month term based on HS season.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following to President@donnerswimclub.com:
- Cover Letter
- Resume (including certifications)
- Three Professional References
- Personal Statement: Outlining your coaching philosophy and vision for DSC and CNHS Swimming.
Applications will be reviewed confidentially. DSC and BCSC is an equal opportunity employer.