Varsity Football Head Coach (8-Man)

Description

About Us

Purdue Polytechnic High Schools (PPHS) is a mission-driven network of schools founded in partnership with Purdue University. Our vision is to inspire students through STEM-focused, real-world experiences, empowering them to become problem-solvers and skilled achievers who succeed in technical and STEM-related postsecondary programs and high-tech careers. At PPHS, we are committed to academic rigor and providing every student with the resources to succeed in higher education, particularly at institutions of the caliber of Purdue University.

Our core values guide everything we do:

• Act as 1
• Nurture student genius
• Start from Yes
• Do the right thing
• Get it done

Job Summary

The Varsity Football Head Coach provides leadership and direction for the PPHS 8-Man Football Program and is responsible for developing a competitive, student-centered athletic experience that promotes character, teamwork, academic achievement, sportsmanship, and personal growth.

The Head Coach oversees all aspects of the football program, including student-athlete development, practice and game preparation, coaching staff coordination, program operations, safety, family communication, equipment management, and compliance with PPHS and applicable athletic association requirements.

The successful candidate will understand that athletics are an extension of the educational experience. The Head Coach will establish a program culture that holds student-athletes to high expectations while building meaningful relationships and supporting their development as students, athletes, teammates, and leaders.

Requirements

Program Leadership and Culture

• Provide overall leadership, vision, and direction for the PPHS 8-Man Football Program.
• Establish and maintain a positive, inclusive, disciplined, and student-centered team culture.
• Develop clear expectations for student-athlete conduct, attendance, sportsmanship, academic performance, and team participation.
• Model integrity, professionalism, accountability, respect, and ethical behavior.
• Reinforce PPHS values and expectations throughout all football-related activities.
• Develop student-athletes as leaders and teammates, emphasizing responsibility, resilience, communication, and respect.
• Promote a program culture in which winning is pursued within the broader goals of student development, safety, sportsmanship, and academic success.

Coaching and Student-Athlete Development

• Plan, organize, and lead effective practices, competitions, conditioning activities, and other approved team activities.
• Teach football fundamentals, techniques, strategies, terminology, and rules appropriate for 8-Man football.
• Develop offensive, defensive, and special teams systems appropriate to the abilities and developmental needs of student-athletes.
• Evaluate individual and team performance and provide clear, constructive coaching and feedback.
• Create opportunities for student-athletes at varying levels of experience and ability to develop their skills.
• Support the physical, social, emotional, and leadership development of student-athletes.
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and positive coach-to-student relationships.

Academic Achievement and Student Success

• Reinforce the expectation that student-athletes are students first and athletics are part of their broader educational experience.
• Monitor student-athlete academic eligibility and school attendance in collaboration with appropriate PPHS staff.
• Encourage student-athletes to meet academic, behavioral, and attendance expectations.
• Partner with teachers, counselors, administrators, and families when student-athletes need additional academic or behavioral support.
• Promote college, career, leadership, and postsecondary opportunities connected to students' participation in athletics.
• Support eligible student-athletes interested in pursuing collegiate athletic opportunities through appropriate guidance, exposure, and communication.

Health, Safety, and Student Well-Being

• Maintain student safety as a primary consideration in all practices, games, conditioning activities, travel, and team events.
• Follow established protocols regarding injuries, concussion recognition and response, heat and weather conditions, hydration, emergency

Qualifications and Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous football coaching experience at the high school, collegiate, competitive youth, or comparable level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of football fundamentals, rules, strategies, player development, practice planning, and game preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and develop high school student-athletes.
• Strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain a positive team culture centered on academic achievement, character development, accountability, sportsmanship, and student well-being.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with student-athletes, families, assistant coaches, school administrators, faculty, athletic personnel, and community partners.
• Ability to supervise and provide direction to assistant coaches and program volunteers.
• Knowledge of or ability to learn the rules and regulations governing high school athletics and football, including applicable IHSAA and NFHS requirements.
• Ability to successfully complete all required PPHS background checks and employment requirements.
• Ability to obtain and maintain all coaching accreditation, certifications, and trainings required by PPHS, the IHSAA, NFHS, and applicable law prior to engaging in athletic activities with student-athletes.
• Availability to fulfill the seasonal and programmatic responsibilities of the position, including practices, competitions, meetings, training, offseason activities, and other approved events that may occur during evenings, weekends, and school breaks.

Work Year Expectations

This is a seasonal coaching position. The Head Coach is expected to fulfill responsibilities associated with preseason preparation, the competitive season, postseason activities, required meetings and trainings, equipment management, student-athlete development, and other approved program activities.

Any offseason activities must be conducted in accordance with PPHS expectations and applicable athletic association rules.

At-Will Employment

Employment with Purdue Polytechnic High School is at will. Nothing in this job description creates or should be construed as creating a contract of employment or guarantee of employment for any specific duration. PPHS reserves the right to modify job responsibilities based on organizational and program needs.