Associate Director of Sports Performance

Job Description

Alabama State University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, invites applications to fill the Associate Director of Sports Performance position. The Associate Director of Sports Performance – Football is responsible for leading, designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive strength and conditioning program for Alabama State University Football. This position plays a critical role in the physical development, performance enhancement, injury prevention, and overall wellbeing of football student-athletes. The Associate Director will collaborate with coaches, sports medicine personnel, athletic trainers, nutrition professionals, and other athletics staff to ensure student-athletes receive a holistic approach to athletic development and
competitive success.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Design and implement strength, speed, agility, conditioning, flexibility, mobility, and recovery programs specifically tailored to football student-athletes.
• Collaborate with the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance to develop and manage annual training cycles, including preseason, in-season, postseason, and off-season programming.
• Utilize evidence-based strength and conditioning methodologies to maximize athletic performance while minimizing injury risk.
• Establish performance standards and benchmarks that align with the goals of the football program.
• Evaluate and modify training programs based on athlete performance data, injury status, and team objectives.
• Conduct daily strength and conditioning sessions and provide hands-on instruction, coaching, and supervision.
• Teach and reinforce proper exercise techniques, movement mechanics, and safety protocols.
• Perform athlete assessments and performance testing, including strength, speed, agility, power, endurance, flexibility, and body composition measurements.
• Track and analyze performance metrics to support continuous improvement and athlete development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, discipline, teamwork, and excellence within the football program.
• Work collaboratively with Sports Medicine, Athletic Training, and team physicians to support injury prevention strategies.
• Assist in the development and implementation of return-to-play programs for injured student-athletes.
• Monitor athlete readiness, workload management, and recovery protocols.

Job Description

Alabama State University, Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, invites applications to fill the Associate Director of Sports Performance position. The Associate Director of Sports Performance – Football is responsible for leading, designing, implementing, and evaluating a comprehensive strength and conditioning program for Alabama State University Football. This position plays a critical role in the physical development, performance enhancement, injury prevention, and overall wellbeing of football student-athletes. The Associate Director will collaborate with coaches, sports medicine personnel, athletic trainers, nutrition professionals, and other athletics staff to ensure student-athletes receive a holistic approach to athletic development and
competitive success.
Duties and Responsibilities
• Design and implement strength, speed, agility, conditioning, flexibility, mobility, and recovery programs specifically tailored to football student-athletes.
• Collaborate with the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance to develop and manage annual training cycles, including preseason, in-season, postseason, and off-season programming.
• Utilize evidence-based strength and conditioning methodologies to maximize athletic performance while minimizing injury risk.
• Establish performance standards and benchmarks that align with the goals of the football program.
• Evaluate and modify training programs based on athlete performance data, injury status, and team objectives.
• Conduct daily strength and conditioning sessions and provide hands-on instruction, coaching, and supervision.
• Teach and reinforce proper exercise techniques, movement mechanics, and safety protocols.
• Perform athlete assessments and performance testing, including strength, speed, agility, power, endurance, flexibility, and body composition measurements.
• Track and analyze performance metrics to support continuous improvement and athlete development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, discipline, teamwork, and excellence within the football program.
• Work collaboratively with Sports Medicine, Athletic Training, and team physicians to support injury prevention strategies.
• Assist in the development and implementation of return-to-play programs for injured student-athletes.
• Monitor athlete readiness, workload management, and recovery protocols.
• Maintain appropriate communication regarding athlete health, performance, and rehabilitation progress.
• Utilize performance monitoring technologies, including GPS systems, force plates, velocity-based training systems, PERCH, and other sport science tools as available.
• Collect, analyze, and report performance data to coaches and sports performance staff.
• Maintain accurate records of athlete performance metrics, testing results, and training participation.
• Support data-driven decision-making to improve team and individual performance outcomes.
• Ensure all activities are conducted in accordance with NCAA, SWAC, university, and athletics department rules and regulations.
• Maintain current certifications and professional development requirements.
• Assist with budgeting, equipment inventory, and facility maintenance related to football strength and conditioning operations.
• Support departmental initiatives, student-athlete development programs, and special projects as assigned.
• Serve as a positive role model and mentor for student-athletes.
• Promote the academic, athletic, personal, and professional development of student-athletes.
• Assist with the supervision and development of graduate assistants, interns, and volunteer strength and conditioning staff.
• Contribute to a positive and collaborative culture within the athletics department.
• Assist with summer camps, clinics, recruiting visits, and special events as requested.
• Travel with the football team as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Athletic Director for Sports Performance, Head Football Coach, or Director of Athletics

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sport Science, Strength and Conditioning, or a related field. • Master's degree preferred. Must have a minimum of two (2) to three (3) years of collegiate or professional strength and conditioning experience, preferably working with football student-athletes; demonstrated experience designing and implementing comprehensive strength and conditioning programs.

Certifications
Must possess and maintain one or more of the following certifications:
• CSCS (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association
• SCCC (Strength and Conditioning Coach Certified) through the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association
Additional Requirements:
• Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certifications, and a valid driver's license and ability to travel.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience working with performance technology platforms such as GPS tracking systems, PERCH, force plates, and athlete monitoring software.
• Experience developing and implementing return-to-play protocols in collaboration with athletic trainers and sports medicine personnel.
• Previous experience working within an HBCU athletics environment.
• Experience supervising graduate assistants, interns, or volunteer staff.
• Strong understanding of sport science principles and performance analytics.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Thorough knowledge of strength and conditioning principles, sport science, biomechanics, and athlete development.
• Knowledge of NCAA, conference, and institutional rules and regulations.
• Strong leadership, communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Ability to motivate and inspire student-athletes to achieve peak performance.
• Ability to analyze performance data and apply findings to program design.
• Strong commitment to student-athlete welfare, safety, and success.
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary athletics team environment.
Work Environment and Schedule
• Full-time position requiring flexibility to work early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and team travel as necessary.
• Must be able to work in indoor and outdoor training environments.
• Position requires frequent standing, lifting, spotting, demonstrating exercises, and moving athletic equipment.

Supplemental Information

EEOC STATEMENT:
It is the policy of Alabama State University to provide equal employment opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:
Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Federal law requires identity and employment eligibility verification on Form I-9 within three (3) business days of employment.

All positions require the passing of a background check and some the passing of a drug screen.

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