Assistant Coach, Football - Defensive Coordinator

Assistant Coach, Football - Defensive Coordinator

Huskie Athletics is seeking a full-time Defensive Coordinator for our nationally competitive Men’s Football program. This position is responsible for assisting with player development, recruiting, and grassroots development programming. We have high standards, and it is incumbent on the successful candidate to provide exemplary leadership in all areas related to Huskie Football.

About the Program: Huskie Football has a rich history and a culture of excellence, playing for over 100 years in the Canada West (CW) conference. That history includes 21 Hardy Cup championships, the most of any team in conference history, 11 national semifinal bowl game wins, and three Vanier Cup championships. The Huskies play on the USask campus at Griffith Stadium, in Nutrien Park, home to an exhilarating game day experience.

Nature of Work: The Defensive Coordinator reports functionally to the Head Football Coach and administratively to the Chief Athletics Officer (CAO). This is a high-volume position that works under pressure in a fast-paced environment, multi-tasking to meet competing deadlines. It is a high-profile position and is very visible at the University and throughout regional athletic communities. The incumbent will establish and maintain professional relationships that support exceptional collaboration with the Head Coach and provide appropriate leadership and mentorship to the student-athletes and recruits to the program. Potential candidates must recognize the responsibility that comes with this role and its impact on the credibility of Huskie Football, Huskie Athletics, the College of Kinesiology, and the University of Saskatchewan. This position involves travel, as well as work in evenings and on weekends and holidays.

Typical Duties or Accountabilities:

• Coach a nationally competitive program and maintain high professional standards.
• Develop highly competitive players. Work with head coach and coaching staff to deliver year-round skill development programming.
• The successful candidate will assume the role of Defensive Coordinator, demonstrate exemplary knowledge, and provide skill development work, and lead a specific position on the defensive side of the ball. Flexibility and knowledge of multiple positions is an asset.
• Develop, oversee, and lead grassroots programming, youth development camps, community programming, and coaching development clinics.
• Assist with managing day-to-day operations and programming of the football program.
• Assist Team Manager with team travel arrangements, including transportation, lodging, and meals.
• Assist Recruiting Coordinator with recruiting activities, specifically on-campus activities.
• Assist in the planning and execution of special events, such as fundraising activities, alumni events, and community outreach initiatives.
• Develop, oversee, and lead student-athlete development and leadership programming initiatives for approximately 100 football student-athletes, including:
• Life skills programming to prepare student-athletes for life after university and football.
• Mentorship programming to create and enhance life-long personal and professional relationships with external partners (community, donors, alumni, etc.).
• Assist student-athletes with career development skills such as interview training and resume building.
• Assist the Head Coach as needed in all facets of the football program.
• Serve as a resource for student-athletes.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Head Coach or Chief Athletics Officer.

Education and Certification:

• A four-year bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution is preferred. Consideration may be given for equivalent experience.
• Must have National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) certification in Safe Sport, Safe Contact, Anti-Racism, and Respect in Sport training.
• First Aid and CPR/AED Level C qualifications.
• Must have a clean Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Search.

Experience:

• Have positional playing and coaching experience, preferably on the defensive side of the ball.
• Preference to former players and coaches with University and CFL experience.
• Provincial and/or national coaching experience is a desirable asset.

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, writing, and oral communication skills to communicate effectively at a variety of levels including officials of U Sports, administrators, staff, and coaches.
• Must be able to work cooperatively with other University departments in a complex administrative environment.
• Ability to interact diplomatically with individuals of various social, cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds.
• Must have the ability to analyze situations and systems, identify problems, and implement solutions impartially and fairly.
• Ability to make decisions on immediate problems within prescribed scope of authority, based on knowledge of policies and procedures, including pertinent U Sports rules and regulations.
• Must understand the University of Saskatchewan’s standards for academic as well as athletic excellence.
• Proficient in current football technology, specifically DV Sport and PQD.

Department: Huskie Athletics
Status: Term 1 year with the possibility of extension
Employment Group: ASPA
Shift: This position involves travel, as well as work in evenings and on weekends and holidays.
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $67,681.00 - 105,753.00 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Posted Date: 1/27/2025
Closing Date: 2/10/2025 at 6:00 pm CST
Number of Openings: 1
Work Location: On Campus

The successful applicant will be required to provide the following current verification(s) where 'Yes' is indicated below. Further information is available at: https://careers.usask.ca/tips-for-applying.php

Criminal Record Check: Yes
Driver's License and Abstract Check: Not Applicable
Education/Credential Verification: Not Applicable
Vulnerable Sector Check: Yes

The University is committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion, and are proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous peoples to reflect the community we serve. We are dedicated to recruiting individuals who will enrich our work and learning environments. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. We are committed to providing accommodations to those with a disability or medical necessity. If you require an accommodation to participate in the recruitment process, please notify us and we will work together on the accommodation request.