Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach

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 Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach provides leadership and direction for the PPHS Boys Soccer 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 boys varsity soccer program, including student-athlete development, practice and match 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

Responsibilities and Duties

Program Leadership and Culture

• Provide overall leadership, vision, and direction for the PPHS Boys Soccer 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 soccer-related activities.
• Develop student-athletes as leaders and teammates, emphasizing responsibility, resilience, communication, and respect.
• Promote a competitive environment in which success is pursued alongside student development, safety, sportsmanship, and academic achievement.

Coaching and Student-Athlete Development

• Plan, organize, and lead effective practices, matches, conditioning activities, and other approved team activities.
• Teach soccer fundamentals, techniques, tactics, rules, positioning, and game strategy appropriate to the developmental needs and abilities of student-athletes.
• Develop offensive, defensive, transition, set-piece, and overall team strategies appropriate to the program and its student-athletes.
• Evaluate individual and team performance and provide clear, constructive coaching and feedback.
• Develop student-athletes across varying levels of experience and ability.
• Promote physical conditioning, technical development, tactical awareness, teamwork, and responsible decision-making.
• Support the social, emotional, academic, 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 that athletics are part of their broader educational experience.
• Monitor student-athlete academic eligibility, attendance, and school engagement in collaboration with appropriate PPHS staff.
• Encourage student-athletes to meet PPHS 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, matches, conditioning activities, travel, and team events.
• Follow established protocols regarding injuries, concussion recognition and response, heat and weather conditions, hydration, emergency response, and return-to-play requirements.
• Ensure practices and conditioning activities are age-appropriate and conducted using accepted safety practices.
• Collaborate with athletic trainers, healthcare professionals, school administrators, and families as appropriate regarding student-athlete health and safety.
• Ensure athletic equipment and playing environments are used appropriately and safely.
• Immediately report injuries, safety concerns, suspected abuse or neglect, hazing, bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other concerns in accordance with PPHS policy and applicable law.
• Maintain all required coaching, safety, first aid, CPR/AED, concussion, and other certifications or training.

Coaching Staff Leadership

• Assist with the identification, selection, onboarding, and development of assistant coaches in collaboration with school leadership.
• Clearly define roles and expectations for assistant coaches and program volunteers.
• Provide leadership, supervision, feedback, and professional development to members of the coaching staff.
• Ensure all coaches consistently follow PPHS expectations, athletic policies, safety requirements, and standards of professional conduct.
• Facilitate effective communication and collaboration among coaching staff.

Program Operations and Administration

• Coordinate practice schedules, match preparation, team meetings, transportation needs, facility use, and other program logistics in collaboration with appropriate PPHS personnel.
• Maintain accurate team rosters, eligibility information, required forms, participation records, and other program documentation.
• Support scheduling of matches, scrimmages, tournaments, and other competitions as assigned.
• Manage the distribution, collection, inventory, maintenance, and appropriate use of uniforms, balls, goals, training equipment, and other program resources.
• Communicate equipment, facility, staffing, scheduling, and resource needs to school leadership in a timely manner.
• Participate in budget planning and responsibly manage resources allocated to the soccer program.
• Support approved fundraising, community engagement, and program-building activities as needed.
• Ensure facilities and equipment are appropriately secured following team activities.

Family, School, and Community Engagement

• Establish consistent, professional communication with student-athletes and their families regarding schedules, expectations, team policies, eligibility, and program activities.
• Respond appropriately and professionally to student and family questions or concerns.
• Partner with school leadership, faculty, staff, and other athletic personnel to support student success and school culture.
• Build positive relationships with the PPHS community and represent the school professionally during competitions, meetings, community events, and other activities.
• Encourage student-athletes to serve as positive representatives of PPHS on campus and in the community.
• Support efforts to build participation, student interest, and long-term sustainability of the PPHS Boys Soccer Program.

Culture, Compliance, and Continuous Improvement

• Follow all PPHS policies, procedures, athletic guidelines, and applicable IHSAA and NFHS rules and requirements.
• Maintain current knowledge of rules governing high school soccer and student-athlete participation.
• Complete required trainings, certifications, meetings, and documentation within established timelines.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding student information.
• Participate in program evaluation and identify opportunities to strengthen student participation, retention, competitiveness, culture, safety, and overall program effectiveness.
• Perform other coaching and athletic-program duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Previous soccer coaching experience at the high school, collegiate, competitive club/youth, or comparable level.
• Demonstrated knowledge of soccer fundamentals, rules, tactics, player development, practice planning, and match 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 soccer, 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, matches, meetings, training, offseason activities, and other approved events that may occur during evenings, weekends, and school breaks.

Physical and Work Environment

The Boys Varsity Soccer Head Coach position requires regular work in indoor and outdoor athletic environments and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions. The position requires the ability to stand and move for extended periods, demonstrate or supervise athletic activities, communicate effectively in active athletic environments, and assist with soccer equipment and program materials.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.

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 IHSAA 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.