Head's Women's Basketball Coach

Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.

Position Summary

Whitworth University invites applications for the position of Head Coach for Women’s Basketball. This role provides strategic leadership for a competitive NCAA Division III program committed to excellence in athletics, academics, and character development.

The Head Coach is responsible for all aspects of the program, including recruiting, player development, competition planning, staff leadership, and program operations. Beyond the court, this position plays a vital role in mentoring student-athletes, fostering a culture of belonging and accountability, and advancing Whitworth’s mission of educating the mind and heart.

The successful candidate will bring a clear coaching philosophy, a commitment to developing the whole student-athlete, and the ability to build a program that reflects both competitive success and the University's mission.

Core Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Coaching | 50%

• Lead all aspects of a competitive NCAA Division III women’s basketball program.
• Design and implement training, practice, and competition strategies that maximize individual and team performance.
• Provide in-game coaching, preparation, and adjustments aligned with program goals.

Whitworth University is a residential campus shaped by learning, curiosity, and community life. This role is based on campus and requires consistent, in-person engagement.

Position Summary

Whitworth University invites applications for the position of Head Coach for Women’s Basketball. This role provides strategic leadership for a competitive NCAA Division III program committed to excellence in athletics, academics, and character development.

The Head Coach is responsible for all aspects of the program, including recruiting, player development, competition planning, staff leadership, and program operations. Beyond the court, this position plays a vital role in mentoring student-athletes, fostering a culture of belonging and accountability, and advancing Whitworth’s mission of educating the mind and heart.

The successful candidate will bring a clear coaching philosophy, a commitment to developing the whole student-athlete, and the ability to build a program that reflects both competitive success and the University's mission.

Core Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Coaching | 50%

• Lead all aspects of a competitive NCAA Division III women’s basketball program.
• Design and implement training, practice, and competition strategies that maximize individual and team performance.
• Provide in-game coaching, preparation, and adjustments aligned with program goals.
• Establish a culture of accountability, discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee scheduling, travel coordination, and day-to-day program logistics.
• Ensure full compliance with NCAA, conference, and institutional policies.
• Represent Whitworth Athletics in conference and professional meetings.

Recruitment and Student-Athlete Development | 20%

• Mentor student-athletes in their academic, athletic, and personal growth.
• Promote academic success, student well-being, retention, and graduation outcomes.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive recruiting strategy to attract and retain student-athletes.
• Build and maintain recruiting pipelines and relationships with high school and club programs.
• Evaluate talent with a focus on both athletic ability and program values.

Staff Leadership & Program Culture | 15%

• Hire, supervise, and develop assistant coaches and student staff.
• Provide ongoing coaching, feedback, and professional development to staff.
• Cultivate a collaborative and mission-aligned team culture within the program.

Budgets and Fundraising | 10%

• Manage program budget responsibly and in alignment with university guidelines.
• Oversee equipment purchasing and inventory management.
• Lead fundraising initiatives in collaboration with Athletics and Advancement.
• Engage alumni, donors, and community partners to support program growth.

Campus Engagement & Additional Contributions | 5%

• Based on the candidate’s strengths and interests, this role may also include opportunities to teach activity courses, support athletic events, and contribute to broader departmental initiatives.
• Support Athletics Department initiatives and shared responsibilities.
• Perform other duties commensurate with the responsibilities of a college head coach.

Qualifications and Core Competencies

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred; equivalent experience considered)
• Demonstrated coaching experience with evidence of program impact and leadership
• A personal commitment to the Christian faith and the mission of Whitworth University
• Strong knowledge of basketball strategy, player development, and team management
• Understanding of NCAA rules and compliance expectations
• Valid driver’s license and ability to meet university driving requirements

Core Competencies

• Demonstrates commitment to Whitworth’s Christian mission and Division III philosophy.
• Invests in the holistic growth of student-athletes.
• Establishes vision, culture, and systems that sustain success.
• Builds trust with student-athletes, staff, and the broader campus community.
• Identifies and attracts talent aligned with both performance and mission.
• Manages logistics, compliance, and resources effectively.

Preferred

• Collegiate coaching experience
• Experience in recruiting and building successful programs
• Demonstrated success in mentoring and developing student-athletes

Other Details

Schedule
Full-time (1.0 FTE) | 12 months | 40 hours per week

Whitworth University is a Christian liberal arts university. Our shared mission is to provide our diverse students with an education of mind and heart, equipping them to honor God, follow Christ, and serve humanity. We seek candidates who are willing to engage with the university’s mission and integrate their Christian faith into their work.

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, faith statement, and contact information for at least three professional references. A background check and sexual misconduct check will be required of the successful candidate.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain valid work authorization throughout the duration of employment, including those on OPT. Whitworth University does not offer visa sponsorship for this position.

You are on this webpage because a position at Whitworth sparked your curiosity. If you find yourself questioning hitting the apply button because you might not meet 100% of the qualifications, we think you should do it! When you click apply and submit an application, your application is reviewed by a committee of real, living, and breathing human beings who want to understand your background, experience and skills to find ways you relate to the key competencies needed for success in the position.

Looking for resources to help with writing a faith statement? Check out our faith statement resource page for more information.

Whitworth complies with all federal, state, and local nondiscrimination laws that are applicable to religious nonprofit institutions and does not engage in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, sex, or disability. With our Christ-centered commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community, the university encourages applications from populations underrepresented at Whitworth including members of racial/ethnic communities, women, and persons with disabilities.

Online applications are stored on a secure site. Only authorized employees and hiring authorities have access to the information submitted.

It is important that your application show all the relevant education and experience you possess. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

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