Head Coach Cross Country/Assistant Track and Field Coach

What makes SUNY Cortland a great place to work?

• Our positions provide predictable salary progressions, and many offer permanency.

• Generous benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, various retirement program options, paid family leave and/or parental leaves, flexible spending and dependent care accounts, long term disability and tuition reimbursement.

• SUNY Cortland prioritizes work-life balance and well-being in all forms. The university’s state-of-the-art Student Life Center is free for employees to use, with membership options for families.

• Professional development opportunities exist through training, continuing education programs, tuition reimbursement and conference travel, based on funding.

• Cortland County and surrounding areas offer easy access to arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation and much more. Experience Cortland dives deep into the region’s offerings

Major Responsibilities

Coaching & Competitive Performance

• Develop, lead, and maintain a competitive men’s and women’s cross-country program at the conference level.
• Plan, organize, and conduct practices, skill training, and tactical preparation in support of competitive success.
• Develop and implement competitive strategies for meets.
• Evaluate team and individual performance using video analysis and statistical tools.
• Prepare student athletes for conference and postseason competition.
• Foster a culture of accountability, sportsmanship, and excellence.
• Instruct and mentor student-athletes in sport-specific skills, team dynamics, physical conditioning, and safety.

Recruiting & Roster Management

• Identify, evaluate, and recruit student-athletes who meet athletic, academic, and institutional standards, in full compliance with NCAA, conference, and College regulations.
• Manage official and unofficial visits in compliance with NCAA, SUNYAC, and conference regulations.
• Oversee roster management and retention of student athletes.

Student Athlete Development & Support

• Promote academic achievement, progress toward degree, and graduation success.
• Provide mentorship and support for leadership, character development, and life skills, fostering personal and professional growth.
• Maintain regular and effective communication with student athletes regarding expectations and performance.
• Assess academic performance of student athletes at least once each semester
• Collaborate with academic support services, athletic training, strength and conditioning, and mental health professionals to support student-athlete well-being.
• Support student-athlete retention by coordinating academic support and connecting students-athletes with academic coordinators and campus academic resources to promote retention outcomes comparable to the broader student populations.

Program Administration

• Supervise, mentor, and evaluate assistant coaches, graduate assistants, and volunteer staff.
• Develop and manage the program budget in coordination with the athletics department.
• Coordinate travel, scheduling, equipment, and facility usage.
• Participate in fundraising, alumni engagement, and community outreach efforts.
• Represent the cross country/track & field program positively.
• Oversee cross country/track & field facilities by ensuring they are well-maintained, operationally efficient, safe, and ready for practices and competitions.
• Demonstrate continuous development in cross country/track & field through education, professional organizations, and training.

Compliance, Risk Management & Professional Conduct

• Ensure compliance with NCAA, SUNYAC, conference, and institutional rules, policies, and regulations.
• Maintain accurate recruiting, eligibility, and compliance documentation.
• Uphold high standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
• Foster a safe and inclusive environment that supports health, wellbeing, and success.

Functional and Supervisory Relationships

• Reports to the Head Track Coach
• Supervises assistant coaches and support staff
• Works closely with athletic trainers, athletic support staff, and assistant athletic directors

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated knowledge of NCAA cross country rules and regulations
• Prior collegiate coaching and/or high school coaching experience
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, and retain student athletes
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and extensive travel
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student athlete welfare

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree
• Previous head coaching experience at the collegiate level
• NCAA recruiting and compliance experience
• Experience managing budgets and program operations
• Coaching certifications (e.g., USATF, USTFCCCA)
• Three years of coaching experience at an NCAA institution

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to recruit, inspire, mentor, coach and teach highly talented student-athletes.
• Demonstrated ability to teach or work with a diverse student population.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with students, faculty, staff, and the public.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively – via technology, in person, and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to represent the department and college in a friendly, courteous and professional manner.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to organize work effectively, conceptualize and prioritize objectives and exercise independent judgement based on an understanding of organizational policies and activities.
• Demonstrated ability to respond to emergency situations in a timely manner.
• Ability to market and promote SUNY Cortland.
• Ability to raise funds and communicate the successes, giving opportunities and mission and goals of the athletic program to potential donors and current supporters of SUNY Cortland athletics.

About the University

A top public university of approximately 6,600 students located in the geographic center of New York State, SUNY Cortland provides accessible, affordable education to students from across the U.S. body. One of 13 comprehensive universities in the State University of New York system, SUNY Cortland prides itself on its rigorous undergraduate and graduate programs in the liberal arts, sciences, education, and professional studies. For more than 150 years, SUNY Cortland has provided unmistakable value for students seeking a well-rounded academic, athletic, and social experience. The University ranks among the top campuses in the nation on Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for Your Money List,” fields a powerhouse Division III athletics program and boasts an impressive network of alumni making a difference in education, business, government, fitness, medicine and many other fields.

EEO Statement

SUNY Cortland is an AA/EEO/ADA employer and encourages applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and members of underrepresented groups.

Job Close Date

Posting Detail Information

| Posting Number | S25148 | | Review Start Date | 06/24/2026 | | Open Until Filled | | | Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting | https://jobs.cortland.edu/postings/11366 |

Special Instructions

Special Instructions to Applicant

| Special Instructions to Applicant | |

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you or will you need visa sponsorship?

   • Yes
   • No

2. * Are you currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis as visa sponsorship is not available for this position?

   • Yes
   • No

3. Are you currently employed by SUNY Cortland? If so, please indicate what type of employee.

   • UUP Professional
   • UUP Faculty
   • Management Confidential
   • Research Foundation
   • Represented by CSEA, PBANYS or PEF
   • Full Time Lecturer

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents 1. Curriculum Vitae or Resume 2. Cover Letter 3. Professional References Contact Info. ONLY (minimum of 3)

Optional Documents