HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Thiel College seeks an organized, relationship-driven, and competitive Head Football Coach to lead and advance its NCAA Division III football program. This is a full-time, 12-month position that reports directly to the Director of Athletics. The successful candidate will provide vision, leadership, and oversight for recruiting, retention, staff development, student-athlete success, competitive performance, and the daily operation of the program. The position carries significant enrollment responsibility and requires a leader who can build sustainable systems consistent with Thiel's mission and commitment to holistic student development.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the football program, including year-round planning, daily operations, practices, game preparation, offseason development, travel, equipment, facilities, and scheduling.
• Establish a clear program identity, standards of conduct, and an accountable culture that supports student-athlete development on and off the field.
• Build toward and sustain a balanced roster of approximately 125 student-athletes, with appropriate class distribution, position balance, and developmental depth.
• Establish a primary recruiting base within approximately 90 minutes of campus, where Thiel has demonstrated stronger retention, while maintaining a documented plan for identifying and enrolling students from outside the region who are prepared to succeed academically, socially, and athletically.
• Manage a measurable recruiting process from initial identification through inquiry, application, acceptance, campus visit, deposit, enrollment, and retention in collaboration with Admissions, Financial Aid, and other campus partners.
• Recruit responsibly by evaluating academic preparation, character, financial readiness, athletic ability, and the likelihood that each prospective student-athlete will persist and graduate from Thiel College.
• Develop mentoring relationships and provide a consistent environment of structure, guidance, communication, and accountability so student-athletes understand that their coaches are invested in their long-term development.
• Create and administer an Academic Game Plan that promotes class attendance, academic progress, use of campus support services, degree completion, and graduation.
• Recommend, hire, organize, supervise, evaluate, and develop assistant coaches within the approved staffing structure and institutional procedures; assign clear responsibilities for offense, defense, special teams, recruiting, player development, and program operations.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with assistant coaches, student-athletes, support staff, campus partners, alumni, families, and College leadership.
• Implement offensive, defensive, and special teams systems that can adapt to the strengths and developmental needs of the roster from year to year.

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

Thiel College seeks an organized, relationship-driven, and competitive Head Football Coach to lead and advance its NCAA Division III football program. This is a full-time, 12-month position that reports directly to the Director of Athletics. The successful candidate will provide vision, leadership, and oversight for recruiting, retention, staff development, student-athlete success, competitive performance, and the daily operation of the program. The position carries significant enrollment responsibility and requires a leader who can build sustainable systems consistent with Thiel's mission and commitment to holistic student development.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the football program, including year-round planning, daily operations, practices, game preparation, offseason development, travel, equipment, facilities, and scheduling.
• Establish a clear program identity, standards of conduct, and an accountable culture that supports student-athlete development on and off the field.
• Build toward and sustain a balanced roster of approximately 125 student-athletes, with appropriate class distribution, position balance, and developmental depth.
• Establish a primary recruiting base within approximately 90 minutes of campus, where Thiel has demonstrated stronger retention, while maintaining a documented plan for identifying and enrolling students from outside the region who are prepared to succeed academically, socially, and athletically.
• Manage a measurable recruiting process from initial identification through inquiry, application, acceptance, campus visit, deposit, enrollment, and retention in collaboration with Admissions, Financial Aid, and other campus partners.
• Recruit responsibly by evaluating academic preparation, character, financial readiness, athletic ability, and the likelihood that each prospective student-athlete will persist and graduate from Thiel College.
• Develop mentoring relationships and provide a consistent environment of structure, guidance, communication, and accountability so student-athletes understand that their coaches are invested in their long-term development.
• Create and administer an Academic Game Plan that promotes class attendance, academic progress, use of campus support services, degree completion, and graduation.
• Recommend, hire, organize, supervise, evaluate, and develop assistant coaches within the approved staffing structure and institutional procedures; assign clear responsibilities for offense, defense, special teams, recruiting, player development, and program operations.
• Communicate clearly and consistently with assistant coaches, student-athletes, support staff, campus partners, alumni, families, and College leadership.
• Implement offensive, defensive, and special teams systems that can adapt to the strengths and developmental needs of the roster from year to year.
• Provide a realistic pathway to competitive improvement in the Presidents' Athletic Conference through effective teaching, practice organization, film study, self-scouting, personnel development, game planning, and in-game decision-making.
• Collaborate with Athletic Training, Strength and Conditioning, Compliance, Academic Affairs, Student Life, and other College offices to support student-athlete well-being and program success.
• Manage the football operating and recruiting budgets, equipment, travel, facilities, and other resources with integrity, planning, and fiscal responsibility.
• Develop and execute an annual alumni and supporter engagement plan that builds relationships and strengthens connection to Thiel Football.
• Develop an annual fundraising plan with defined goals, action steps, timelines, and follow-up responsibilities in coordination with Athletics and Advancement.
• Serve as an engaged ambassador for Thiel College and Thiel Football on campus, in Greenville, throughout Mercer County, and in the surrounding region.
• Collaborate with Sports Information and the Office of Communication and Marketing to strengthen the program's brand, visibility, and public presence.
• Ensure compliance with NCAA Division III, Presidents' Athletic Conference, and institutional rules, policies, and procedures.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.
• Successful football coaching experience; collegiate coaching, head coaching, coordinator, recruiting coordinator, or comparable program leadership experience is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to recruit and retain student-athletes, manage enrollment outcomes, and build a balanced football roster.
• Demonstrated ability to organize, supervise, communicate with, and develop football coaching staff.
• Strong working knowledge of football strategy, player development, practice organization, game preparation, and at least one phase of offense, defense, or special teams, with the leadership capacity to coordinate all three phases.
• Understanding of NCAA Division III athletics, including the relationship among academics, enrollment, financial aid, student development, institutional mission, and competitive performance.
• Experience with program operations, budget management, fundraising, alumni engagement, and collaboration across a college or comparable organization.
• Strong commitment to academic achievement, graduation, student-athlete well-being, character development, and a healthy team environment.
• Excellent communication, organization, relationship-building, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and demonstrate integrity, sound judgment, accountability, and consistent follow-through.

Performance Expectations

The Head Football Coach is expected to meet established performance standards that support the mission, enrollment goals, competitive growth, and long-term sustainability of Thiel College Athletics. These expectations include:

• Achieving assigned recruiting, deposit, enrollment, and roster targets through a disciplined regional and broader-market recruiting strategy.
• Building and sustaining a balanced roster of approximately 125 student-athletes while meeting established retention benchmarks.
• Producing measurable academic progress, supporting degree completion, and maintaining clear academic accountability systems.
• Providing a consistent student-athlete experience grounded in mentoring relationships, structure, guidance, communication, and accountability.
• Building, organizing, evaluating, and developing a mission-aligned coaching staff.
• Demonstrating measurable competitive progress appropriate to program tenure and available resources.
• Operating within approved budgets and demonstrating responsible stewardship of equipment, travel, facilities, and recruiting resources.
• Meeting annual fundraising and alumni engagement goals through documented action plans.
• Building productive relationships across campus and representing Thiel College professionally in the surrounding community.
• Maintaining compliance with applicable NCAA, PAC, and institutional requirements

Annual Program Operating System

The Head Football Coach is expected to develop, communicate, and execute a year-round operating system that allows coaches, student-athletes, and program partners to understand what must be completed, who is responsible, and when each responsibility is due. The system will be evaluated annually and adjusted when needed. It should address:

• Recruiting territories, position targets, prospect movement, campus visits, deposits, enrollment, and roster retention.
• Roster balance, individual development, leadership development, and student-athlete mentoring.
• Staff assignments, communication standards, supervision, evaluation, and professional development.
• Academic monitoring, intervention, degree progress, and graduation planning.
• Offseason development, strength and conditioning, practice planning, game preparation, and program evaluation.
• Budget management, purchasing, equipment, travel, facilities, and operational deadlines.
• Fundraising, alumni relations, community engagement, program promotion, and brand development.
• Measurable annual goals and a process for reviewing results and improving program systems.

Application Process

Thiel College welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Please note, however, that we are unable to provide employment visa sponsorship (e.g., H-1B) for this position. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Qualified applicants should:

• Visit Thiel’s employment site for more information (www.thiel.edu/employment-opportunities).
• Submit a letter of interest, resume and references (all of these materials must be saved in a PDF format for security purposes) by clicking here.

Review of materials will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

Thiel College is committed to attracting a culturally and professionally diverse faculty and staff who engage our students by providing a rich and fulfilling curricular and co-curricular experience.

About the College

Founded in 1866, Thiel College is an independent liberal arts college in western Pennsylvania, offering innovative undergraduate and graduate programs. Shaped by its Lutheran heritage, Thiel provides an accessible and inclusive learning environment and serves a diverse student population. The College has an active and supportive alumni base and maintains strong ongoing relationships within the local community.

About the Area

Greenville is in northwestern Pennsylvania, a 90-minute drive from both Pittsburgh and Cleveland and a 40-minute drive from Youngstown, Ohio. Greenville and the surrounding areas have scenic parks, trails, and waterways for relaxing, hiking, camping, and boating. The area has a low cost of living, making it a desirable location for young professionals and growing families.

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